Houston Bowl caps Davis' wild ride
By By Stan Caldwell / EMG Sports Writer
Dec. 27, 2002
HATTIESBURG The month of December has been a rollercoaster ride for Rod Davis.
The University of Southern Mississippi junior linebacker has experienced some of the highest moments a player can have, and he's also had a couple of scary low moments, as well.
Davis has spent much of the month collecting accolades for his play for the Golden Eagles this season, but he's also spend some time sidelined after his involvement in a minor traffic accident in his home town of Gulfport last week.
Since the Eagles' final regular-season game on Nov. 30, Davis has earned All-Conference USA first team honors, was named to the Associated Press All-America third team and was named as the recipient of the Conerly Trophy, emblematic of the best college football player in Mississippi.
Davis went to Jackson earlier this month as one of the three finalists for the Conerly Trophy, but he really didn't expect to hear his name called.
Davis has done all of this despite suffering through an array of minor aches and pains that might have sidelined a lesser player. He leads the Golden Eagle defense with 156 tackles (111 solos), including 23 tackles for losses of 94 yards. He also has 10 1/2 sacks for another 60 yards in losses, two interceptions and recovered a pair of fumbles.
In other words, he's had the kind of year USM coaches expect out of their middle linebacker.
Davis' performance didn't come out of the blue. Although he wasn't the subject of a recruiting war coming out of Gulfport High, he quickly established himself as a star in 2000, after redshirting in 1999. He posted 94 tackles, including seven for losses, in 2000, and was named the C-USA All-Freshman team. Last season, he had 100 tackles, including 10 for losses, and recorded three sacks.
And once given an opportunity, Davis siezed it with both hands and all of his brainpower.
Indeed, Davis said the mental aspect of the game is where he has improved the most this year.
One might think that with all of the acclaimation that has come his way, Davis might be growing a big head, but that is not the case.
Davis will have one more chance to show his skills this season, when the Golden Eagles take on Oklahoma State on Friday in the Houston Bowl. It could be the last time USM fans get to see No. 24 in action for their team. Davis has a critical decision to make following Friday's game as to whether to come back for his senior year or declare for the National Football League draft.
In fact, Davis' decision whether to come out for the NFL draft next spring is more agonizing than it would be for most. NFL draftniks have Davis pegged to go in the first three rounds, but if he thinks he can move up to a solid first-round or early second round selection, he may decided to come back.
There are a number of factors that Davis is weighing, including his projected draft position in the 2004 draft, should he come back to USM for another season.
Davis is on track to graduate in May with a BA in management. Whatever it will be, Davis is keeping his head on straight and keeping his priorities right where they need to be.
