Corey Davis was the fifth pick of the NFL draft six short years ago.
Now, the Jets wide receiver is walking away from football.
Davis, 28, surprised the football world by announcing his retirement Wednesday afternoon in an Instagram post just 19 days before New York’s season opener against the Bills.
“I’ve been searching my heart for what to do and I feel that stepping away from the game is the best path for me at this time,” Davis said. “I have more blessings than I could have ever imagined... I am truly grateful for all the opportunities I have had and will continue to have on my journey.”
Davis played six years in the NFL, four with the Titans and two with the Jets. He caught 273 passes for 3,879 yards and 17 touchdowns in his career.
His best season came in 2020, when he caught 65 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns as Tennessee won the AFC South title. In 2022, his 16.8 yards per catch ranked fourth in the league.
Before turning pro, Davis played collegiately for Western Michigan. He became the Broncos’ first-ever consensus All-American in 2016, and is the FBS’s all-time leader in receiving yards.