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NATCHEZ — New York Jets Linebacker Jamin Davis — 19th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft — will sign autographs and take photos with community members on Saturday.

Davis, whose mother, Tanga Davis, is a Natchez native, will participate in a Meet & Greet hosted by Joseph Smith and BlackNatchez.org at 1720 Gallery and Gifts, 227 N. MLK St., beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Smith will interview Davis on his experience in the NFL and his philosophy on success.

“My mom loves Natchez and is always asking me to support projects here. I want to help inspire young people and remind them that with hard work and discipline, anything is possible,” Davis said. “I live by the mantra that you can’t have a million dollar dream, with a minimum wage work ethic. There’s so much an individual can do to put themselves on a path to success and I’m excited to share the wisdom I’ve gained so far.”

Davis was drafted by the Washington Commanders in 2021 and was claimed by the New York Jets off waivers on Dec. 31, 2024. He played nine games last season split between Washington (5) and Minnesota (4), totaling 18 tackles (12 solo) and 1 sack while taking 106 defensive snaps.

Davis, 26, played college football at the University of Kentucky, where he started 11 of 36 games over three seasons. The 2021 NFL Scouting Combine was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Davis garnered an abundance of attention after his pro day performance, where his 42-inch vertical jump would have ranked second among all players at the 2020 combine.

Davis’s mother, Tanga Davis, is a 1993 graduate of Natchez High School.

After high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, where Jamin was born. The family moved to Hinesville, Georgia, when Davis was a year old, and he later went on to attend Long County High School in Ludowici, Georgia. Davis has two siblings, Treyon and Tenisha Davis.

“I’m so proud of my kids and I want them to love Natchez as much as I do. I love this community. I have been all over the world and truly nothing matches Natchez — the food, the people, the culture. I want to always give back to this community,” said Tanga Davis.

“Right now, I’m trying to help my church, Bright Star Baptist Church, raise money to repair the roof after storm damage. Jamin is helping us by auctioning some of his items but I also wanted the community, especially the young people, to have an opportunity to interact with him.”

Tickets to the Meet and Greet are free but required to attend. To register for your ticket online, visit BlackNatchez.org  or call 601-571-8711.