A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a graduate of the Webb School, Davis Tarwater completed his college swimming career in 2006 at the University of Michigan. During his senior season, Davis received the U-M's Big Ten Medal of Honor and was named the Michigan Male College Athlete of the Year by the Detroit Athletic Club.

Over the past year, Davis was a three-time NCAA All-American (100-yard butterfly, 200-yard butterfly, 800-yard freestyle relay) and was a two-time NCAA All-American honorable mention (400-yard freestyle relay, 400-yard medley relay).

He was also a Big Ten Champion (200-yard butterfly). Davis was Academic All-Big Ten Conference and received the U-M Athletic Academic Achievement Award.

Davis represented Team USA at the Pan American Games (2003) and is currently in training for the 2008 USA Olympic Team.