In this day and age of celebrity over substance, it is hard to find a sports television personality who has truly climbed the media ladder. I am talking about someone who started on the production side of things. A behind-the-scenes staffer who longed to be on air but had to pay her dues to get there. One of those personalities is ESPN reporter Taylor Davis.
This season, Davis is a sideline reporter working weekly college football games on ESPN’s SEC Network. She is also the network’s top reporter for collegiate gymnastics and hosts the fun and informative SEC State of Mind podcast with former NFL and college quarterback Jason Campbell.
In her role as a sideline reporter, Davis excels at disseminating a lot of information in a scant amount of time. She is also a terrific interviewer, asking poignant and direct questions pregame, at halftime, and postgame.
Storytelling Expertise
This past week, Davis was the sideline reporter for Mississippi State at South Carolina. A matchup that was delayed by weather issues in Columbia. Davis was live on the field for the SEC Now pregame show and offered a power-packed game preview.
She stated that anticipation for the game was extremely high, with both teams featuring exciting dual-threat quarterbacks — Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers. In a clear and concise manner, she talked about the quarterbacks’ size and speed. How they chose colleges in their home states, and how both have brothers on their respective teams. She even offered breaking news, reporting that South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart would make his season debut.
It was a textbook sideline reporter stand-up. Davis set the scene, talked about key players, included pertinent information, and provided the necessary background.
Speaking of background, let’s get back to Davis herself. She has been with ESPN since graduating from Auburn University in 2014. Davis spent four years at the network as a production assistant and content associate. She edited studio highlights, produced content and feature stories. Even worked on graphics for ESPN college sports programming.
There are not many frontline national sports reporters who started their careers in dark edit rooms pressing buttons and producing content. This gives Davis a uniquely wide-ranging television perspective. She understands the collaborative nature of good television and has an innate respect for the talented technical professionals that fans never see.
In essence, Davis is a throwback. For anyone who has worked at all levels of media, she’s an inspiring example of perseverance. Good backstories only take you so far, however. Make no mistake, Davis is one of the most talented sideline reporters working today. During the Mississippi State-South Carolina game, she excelled at the most challenging part of her job. The quick and often awkward coach’s interview at halftime.
Flawless Execution
Davis was on her game. She conducted a solid interview with Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby just before halftime and followed up by asking Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer what his offense needed to do to improve in the second half.
Davis saved her best for a postgame interview with victorious Bulldogs quarterback Kamario Taylor. In her always pleasant manner, she asked Taylor some basic questions about the game and his talents. Her style put the young quarterback at ease. So much so, he ended the interview by politely thanking her and wishing her a good evening.
The brief Q&A went viral because Davis brought out the best in her interview subject.
On the SEC State of Mind podcast, Davis is similarly effective at tapping into Campbell’s background as the 2004 SEC Offensive Player of the Year at Auburn. He also was a solid professional quarterback, chiefly with Washington. The duo has a lot of fun with the show. Topics range on everything from offensive and defensive alignments to the best places to eat at various SEC schools.
Remaining Versatile
Just as she did as a production assistant, Davis never stops working. When the college football season ends in January, she vaults into NCAA gymnastics. A sport that has grown in popularity with numerous high-profile athletes, including Livvy Dunne, the former LSU gymnast who has become a full-fledged multimedia star.
That same star shines brightly on Davis, who brings charisma, personality, emotion, and professionalism to all of her assignments. Davis has also adeptly used social media to give fans glimpses into her personal life. She provides quick game previews, posts photos from her many travels, and even asks followers for recommendations on great coffee shops to try.
Davis is also unafraid to openly share her faith, often posting scripture quotes and bible passages.
This Saturday, SEC Network play-by-play announcer Matt Schumacker and color analyst Aaron Murray will call Missouri at Mississippi State, a huge matchup with both teams sitting at 3-0. Roaming the sidelines and adding another chapter to a good, old-fashioned television success story will be Davis — an experienced and driven reporter who truly defines the moniker “working media.”
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