Randolph County’s Thomas Davis to enter UGA Circle of Honor

ATHENS — Randolph-Clay product Thomas Davis, whose football career took him to Georgia and continues with a lengthy run with the Carolina Panthers, will be inducted into the UGA Circle of Honor in February.

Davis, a free safety from Shellman, lettered at Georgia in 2002-04, earning first-team All-America and All-SEC honors in 2004. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft, earning Pro Bowl selections in 2015 and 2016.

The 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner, Davis earned a degree in consumer economics after entering the NFL.

Davis’ induction will take place Feb. 12 at the UGA Fine Arts Theater. Joining Davis will be Nicole Barber (softball, 2001-04), Chris Colwill (diving, 2004-06, 2008) and Reese Hoffa (track and field, 1998-2001).

Barber will be the first softball inductee into the Circle of Honor. She was a three-time All-America selection, leading the Bulldogs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance. She holds the NCAA career stolen bases record and the NCAA record for consecutive error-free games, and she is fourth in NCAA history in hits.

Colwill won three NCAA diving titles and five SEC crowns. He made the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams.

Hoffa is the second shot putter to join the Circle of Honor, rising to the No. 1 spot in the world rankings in four different years and competing in three Olympics, claiming bronze in 2012.