To begin the 2016 offseason, the Miami Dolphins didn’t make a huge splash but they did help make history. The Dolphins can credit themselves responsible for signing the first player to move from the German Football League (GFL) to the National Football League (NFL) when the team signed Tyler Davis to a reserve/future contract.

Though there is no guarantee he gets a contract for the Dolphins, the Dolphins, and Davis, are hoping that Davis is a diamond in the rough, much like Cameron Wake and Marcus Thigpen, both of which have made an impact previously for the Dolphins.

Davis, 24, comes from a football family. His father, Clarence, was a running back for the Oakland Raiders and was responsible for the catching the touchdown in the play forever immortalized as the ‘Sea of Hands’. Clarence Davis is also a super bowl winner, winning Super Bowl XI with the Oakland Raiders.

In college, Davis attend Missouri Valley, an NAIA, where he earned first-team all-conference accolades in all his four seasons. He also earned the Heart of America Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 2012.

In his four years at Missouri Valley, Davis played as a defensive back, tallying 138 tackles and grabbed 19 interceptions. Davis also returned kicks and punts, where he took four kickoff returns for touchdowns. He also earned All-American accolades as a long jumper.

Davis began his professional career in the GFL, lining up on both sides of the ball for the Munich Cowboys. As a receiver, he had 28 receptions for 686 yards and seven touchdowns. On defense, he had six interceptions.

Last season, Davis played both defensive back and wide receiver for the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes, leading the GFL in reception and receiving yards, as well as finishing 4th in interceptions with 6. Davis’ performance was good enough for him to be crowned MVP of the GFL.

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As for Kiel Baltic, the team would perform very well, finishing with a 9-3 record in the Nord (North group). In the playoffs, the would lose in the first round of the playoffs to the Allgau Comets in the first round of the playoffs.

Recently, I was granted a chance to sit down with this remarkable young man and talk about his journey to the Dolphins

Kevin Fielder: Tyler, what made you choose to go to Germany to play football right after college?

Tyler Davis: I didn’t really hear anything from any other teams here in the states after the draft. One particular team showed interest in me overseas and I took the opportunity to expand my career as a football player.

KF: How do you think going to a small school helped you prepare you for your professional career?

TD: It humbled me. I didn’t have a D1 facility, all the advanced things they have access to. I had to work that much harder than everyone else. With the small school tag, I had to get it out the mud! My determination, drive, and perseverance pushed me to the next level. Hard work ALWAYS pays off!

KF: Before going to Germany, did you have any offers from the NFL? If so, why did you decide to go to Germany?

TD: I talked to the Browns during the draft and worked out for the Rams, but didn’t hear anything else, not even a free agent deal.

KF: What do you think were the challenges of moving from strictly defensive back to both sides of the football?

TD: I didn’t really see it as a challenge. The transition was pretty easy to me. I used to play Receiver before making the move over to DB in college.

KF: What are the key differences, in terms of overall play, between football in Germany and in the States? Why do you think you were so successful while playing in Germany?

TD: I think I was so successful because I just wanted it more than anyone else. I still do, I’m not done yet. I have goals and aspirations. I want to be an inspiration to any and everyone.

KF: Why do you think Miami Dolphins fans should embrace you?

TD: If you’re a fan, you’re a fan, you should embrace anyone who comes in and is ready to make an impact on your team. Not just me.

KF: How excited are you to play for an Adam Gase lead team after his success in Chicago last season?

TD: I’m just excited to be playing for anyone at this point. My work isn’t done, its only the beginning. I’m just glad that we are both new to Miami and can both make a change.

You can follow Tyler Davis on Twitter, @lookmom_itsTD

You can track his journey on his Instagram and his Facebook page

If you are interested in buying his t-shirts, you can purchase them, here.