Rookie of the Year: Domanick Davis, 2003

Running Back, Houston Texans

(Later known as Domanick Williams)

Age: 23 (Oct. 1)

College: LSU

Height: 5’9”    Weight: 216

Prelude:

Chosen by the Texans in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft, it was not anticipated that he would be an every-down back as a pro. He started off his rookie year backing up veteran RB Stacey Mack but moved into the lineup and demonstrated surprising power to go along with his speed and receiving ability.

2003 Season Summary

Appeared and started in 14 of 16 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 238 [19]

Most attempts, game - 27 (for 129 yds.) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Yards – 1031 [15, tied with Eddie George]

Most yards, game – 129 yards (on 27 carries) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Average gain – 4.3 [20]

TDs – 8 [13, tied with Deuce McAllister, Stephen Davis & Correll Buckhalter]

100-yard rushing games - 4

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 47       

Most receptions, game – 9 (for 70 yds.) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Yards – 351

Most yards, game - 70 (on 7 catches) at Tennessee 10/12, (on 9 catches) vs. NY Jets 10/19

Average gain – 7.5

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 3

Yards – 61

Avg. – 20.3

TDs – 0

Scoring

TDs – 8

Points – 48

Awards & Honors:

NFL Rookie of the Year: League/Pepsi

Texans went 5-11 to finish fourth in the AFC South.

Aftermath:

Concerns about his durability in a full-time role ultimately proved justified, although Davis improved on his numbers in 2004, rushing for 1188 yards and 13 TDs and catching 68 passes for 588 yards and another score for a total of 1776 yards from scrimmage. However, a knee injury shut down his 2005 season with 976 yards on the ground and 337 through the air on 33 pass receptions in 11 games. He wouldn’t be back – injuries cost him all of ’06 and he was released by the Texans in March 2007 (by which time he had changed his last name from Davis to Williams). In his short but productive career, Davis rushed for 3195 yards on 770 carries (4.1 avg.) and 23 TDs and caught 154 passes for 1276 yards (8.3 avg.) and five more touchdowns.

--

Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/8/14]