LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Second-year UNLV cornerbacks coach Akeem Davis has been named a member of the American Football Coaches Association's 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute class for 2025.
 
Davis was chosen from a field of more than 200 applicants. The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.
 
To be eligible, applicants had to be born on or after Jan. 1, 1989, and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach.
 
A former NFL player, Davis has seen his position group enjoy marked success over his two seasons in Las Vegas, including helping the Rebels boast a plus-13 turnover margin this year, which is tied for seventh in the nation. Senior cornerback Cameron Oliver has eight interceptions since the arrival of Davis and his 13 career picks rank fourth in school history and third among all active FBS players. 
 
Davis joined the Rebels after three seasons as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach at Austin Peay State University. Prior to his time in Clarksville, Tennessee, Davis was a member of the Southern Miss coaching staff for four years beginning as a defensive graduate assistant for the 2017 season. He was elevated to USM's cornerbacks coach in 2019 and then moved to oversee the Golden Eagles' running backs before the 2020 season.
 
Davis was an undrafted free agent signee by the NFL's Washington Commanders in 2014 and spent parts of three seasons on the active roster at Washington, New Orleans, Seattle, Indianapolis and Jacksonville. He played 21 games in the NFL, finishing with 11 tackles and a forced fumble.
 
The Rebels, ranked 24th in the nation, will play in back-to-back bowls for the first time in program history when they head to the Art of Sport LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 18 vs. Cal. Tickets are available by visiting UNLVtickets.com.