The redshirt freshman spent $1 for a Cash 5 game ticket at a 7-Eleven in Ashburn on the morning of June 25 on his way home from a workout. His numbers, at the suggestion of his grandmother, were 1-3-4-7-9. He also purchased coffee for his mother.

Later that afternoon, Davis learned he had won in the first of two Cash 5 daily drawings.

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“I definitely was shocked,” said Davis, who plays the lottery regularly. “I was in disbelief the whole day. I just couldn’t believe that I actually won. It was almost like a movie.”

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In addition to the high-end footwear that sells for upward of $320, Davis used his financial windfall to help fund his business of reselling vintage sneakers and other athletic gear. The rest has gone into a savings account.

According to Davis, he and his family had been saving for his college education for many years, so there has been no need to tap into his lottery winnings for tuition assistance.

Upon winning, Davis spoke with Virginia’s compliance department to ensure he wasn’t committing an NCAA infraction by claiming the prize money. Turns out he wasn’t violating any rules, citing another college football player at Ohio University winning $250,000 playing Mega Millions in 2009.

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“It’s good. It’s approved by the NCAA,” Davis said. “It’s basically luck, so they can’t have rules on it.”

Davis transferred to Virginia last year from Nebraska after participating in spring practice with the Cornhuskers. The previous year, Davis played at Fork Union Military Academy.

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He was a four-year starter at Broad Run High, setting program single-season records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as a senior.

“A lot of text messages from family, a lot of interviews,” Davis said. “A lot of people I haven’t talked to in a while, so it’s just been really crazy.”

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