Rece Davis Reveals Shocking Secret Behind No. 47 as BYU Faces Texas Tech Showdown

There’s something electric about a crisp Saturday morning in Lubbock, Texas, especially when ESPN’s “College GameDay” rolls into town — and by now, Rece Davis has become synonymous with that buzz. For a solid decade, he’s been the steady anchor amidst the frantic energy of college football’s biggest debates, steering conversations with the likes of Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit like a seasoned captain navigating choppy waters. This weekend marks a special return for the show, back in Lubbock for the first time since 2008, as No. 7 BYU prepares to lock horns with No. 8 Texas Tech in a clash teeming with stakes—Big 12 bragging rights and College Football Playoff dreams hang in the balance. During a Friday morning media session, Davis pulled back the curtain on the palpable excitement in the air and didn’t shy away from sharing some spirited takes — including his intriguing thoughts on Bear Bachmeier’s unconventional No. 47 jersey, a decision that’s stirring up chatter far beyond just the gridiron. LEARN MORE

LUBBOCK, Texas — If you spend your Saturday mornings watching ESPN’s “College GameDay,” you know Rece Davis as the voice of the popular college football pregame show.

He’s the calm, consistent voice guiding debates between Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit, keeping the energy high but the chaos under control.

Davis has now been a constant on “GameDay” for 10 years, and this weekend the crew brought the show to Lubbock for the first time since 2008.

On Saturday, No. 7 BYU squares off against No. 8 Texas Tech in a matchup with Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff implications on the line. Meeting with the media Friday morning, Davis talked about the atmosphere in Lubbock, the excitement surrounding the matchup, and even shared a few lighthearted opinions — including one about Bear Bachmeier’s choice of jersey number.

When asked which player Bachmeier reminds him of, Davis said, “Bear’s gonna have to do a little bit more, but let’s just say, on the edge, dare I say there’s a little touch of (Tim) Tebow in there.”

From there, Davis took matters into his own hands, playfully diving into the topic of Bachmeier’s much-discussed choice to wear No. 47.

Bachmeier has previously explained that the number takes him back to his early football days as a running back and linebacker — a reminder of his humble beginnings and willingness to win at all cost.

On the subject, Davis said, “A quarterback can’t wear No. 47. Don’t like that.” He continued for another minute or so, saying, “You can wear four. You can wear seven. You can say, I like No. 47, so seven minus four is three, so I’ll wear three. You can say four plus seven is 11, so I’ll wear 11. But No. 47 is for tacklers.”

Many share Davis’ sentiments, as the number 47 is quite uncommon for quarterbacks. But he did admit, as many have, “I won’t say I’m accepting it, but it is growing on me — largely because he’s just so stinking good.”

Printed with permission of the BYU Daily Universe.