When Marlon Davidson was in the seventh grade, he made a promise to his mom, Cynthia Carter, that she would "never have to worry about anything" and he would buy her any house she wanted.
After returning to Auburn to play his senior year, Davidson's draft stock vastly improved. He was selected by the Falcons with the No. 47-overall pick on Friday night.
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Now, he'll finally have the opportunity to honor his hero.
Carter tragically passed away when Davidson was just a 16-year-old high school student at Greenville High School in Greenville, Ala. After experiencing muscle spasms in her leg, Carter collapsed onto a concrete block and hit her head ultimately giving her a blood clot that caused her death.
Since that moment, Davidson has been on a mission to fulfill his promise.
"I wake up every day to a picture of my mother," Davidson said. "Because that's who got me to this point, she helped me get here. If she didn't have me and bring me into this world, I wouldn't be here. All my respect goes to that lady. She is my queen, she will always be my backbone and the person I do it for."
Davidson was five-star recruit coming out of high school and improved each year he played at Auburn. A four-year starter for the Tigers, Davidson recorded 174 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss and 14.5 sacks. He also blocked three field goals in three consecutive weeks.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn covet players with grit and Davidson certainly possesses that trait.
But for anyone who thinks Davidson believes he's made it now that he's been drafted, he would like to remind everyone of this:
"I'm Marlon Davidson, I'm coming here to stay and to show people that I am the best."
With the No. 47 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Auburn defensive tackle Marlon Davidson.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow (9) carries the ball past Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) for the first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) pressures Alabama State quarterback Darryl Pearson, Jr. (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) celebrates a stop during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) looks on before playing Oregon in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tulane running back Amare Jones is tackled for a loss by Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) gets sat before play against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) celebrates in the student section as the fans rush the field following a 48-45 win over Alabama in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) signals to teammates before a play during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, in Gainesville, Fla. Davidson was selected to The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference football team, Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.(AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up for a play against Samford during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) reacts after a stop against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
In this Nov. 25, 2017, photo, Alabama punter JK Scott throws the ball against Auburn defensive lineman Marlon Davidson during the second half of the Iron Bowl NCAA college football game in Auburn, Ala. We have some bad news. Well, it's not really news because it happened months ago, but since there is a good chance you were not paying attention when the Poinsettia Bowl passed away back in January you might be saddened to find out there are less FBS bowl games this season than last. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Auburn defensive end Marlon Davidson (3) lines up against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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