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An All-Sun Belt Conference performer the last two seasons at Arkansas State, linebacker Demario Davis (Brandon, Miss.) was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

The Jets spent their third pick of the draft on Davis, who was the 14th player taken in the third round and the 77th player chosen overall. While ASU has had several former players sign a free agent contract with the Jets, Davis becomes just the second Arkansas State player to ever be drafted by the franchise. A-State’s Doug Lowery was a 15th-round choice by the Jets in 1973. Davis is ASU’s highest draft selection since defensive end Alex Carrington was taken with 72nd pick of the 2010 draft by the Buffalo Bills.

The Red Wolves have now had a player chosen in each of the last six NFL Drafts, including Oren O’Neal in 2007, Tyrell Johnson in 2008, tight end David Johnson in 2009, Carrington in 2010 and offensive lineman Derek Newton in 2011. Davis became the 45th A-State player to ever be selected in the NFL Draft. More than 100 all-time Arkansas State players have signed pro contracts with an NFL franchise.

Davis, a first team all-conference selection as both a junior and senior, was on the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List in 2011. Along with senior safety Kelcie McCray, he was the leading tackler on ASU's defense this past season with 70 stops to his credit. He completed his career with an impressive 230 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks and four interceptions from his linebacker position.