Putting his mind to work

Sporting News, The, Jan 28, 2002 by Tom Dienhart

It's close to 8 a.m., and Andre Davis' future is rising with the New Orleans sun. The Virginia Tech receiver is in the Big Easy to prep for the NFL combine with fitness guru Tom Shaw. LSU quarterback Rohan Davey, Florida State receiver Javon Walker and Washington tight end Jerramy Stevens are among others in the group.

Davis, expected to be a late first-round or early second-round pick in the April draft, picks up quickly on the day's drills. That isn't a surprise.

"I'm a fast learner," Davis says. "Football is a very intelligent sport. I don't think you can have a lot of dumb guys on the field. As a receiver, there are a lot of things I have to pick up right away to make adjustments to. I'm able to take my studying habits off the field with me into a game and use them there."

Those study habits played a big part in Davis winning the third annual Socrates Award. The honor is given to a college athlete who excels academically, athletically and in the community while embodying the Socrates Creed of a strong mind in a strong body.

Davis was selected by representatives from Sporting News Radio and in an online vote. Other college football players in the running were Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning, Northwestern quarterback Zak Kustok and Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Joaquin Gonzalez.

Davis, a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action, has a 3.28 grade-point average as a residential property management major. He was a recipient of the NCAA Today's Top VIII award for achievements in athletics, academics, character and leadership. A four-time academic All-Big East selections, Davis was named to the 2001 CoSIDA/Verizon Academic All-American team.

But academic achievement isn't all there is to Davis. When he wasn't lugging his backpack around campus last fall, he caught 39 passes for 623 yams and seven touchdowns and averaged 12.5 yards per punt return on his way to All-Big East honors. Those numbers were muted to a degree because quarterback Michael Vick left Tech early for the pros after the 2000 season. Because the team lost Vick's ability to throw deep, Davis had to hone his skills to run short routes. It was--what else?--a smart move.

Smarts come in handy when running pass patterns. Before the ball is snapped, Davis must make sure he is in the right position to run the right route--he must give himself enough room to run an inside or outside route. He also must watch where the defensive back opposite him lines up. If the defender presses, Davis must make adjustments to his route. A counter adjustment is needed if the defender is playing off the line.

Davis also must read the safeties and linebackers. Are the linebackers dropping back? Will the safeties help over the top, or will they help in run support? Davis estimates he has five or six seconds to process all the information.

"A lot of times, you are playing mind tricks with a foe, looking one way while going another," Davis says. "That can help you. But there isn't anything you should do that would give the route away."

Davis obviously was good at keeping things to himself as a college player. He finished with 103 receptions for 1,986 yards and 18 touchdowns, and he returned four punts for scores.

He says teammates never poked fun at him, like athletes sometimes do, because of his academic record. There were no nicknames--Poindexter or Einstein or anything--that Davis remembers.

"Not really," he says. "They respect me for the fact I do take this stuff seriously, and they are coming to me on what classes to take and wanting to know what to expect."

Keep an eye on Davis. His combination of skills and smarts might carry him a long way.

RELATED ARTICLE: Inside dish.

Iowa State coach Dan McCarney is paying a price for success: His staff has been picked apart. Most recently, offensive coordinator Steve Loney left to become the offensive line coach for the NFL's Vikings. Earlier, associate head coach Bobby Elliott left to become co-defensive coordinator at Kansas State, and receivers coach Nick Quartaro left to run Kansas' offense. Running backs coach Mike Grant will fill Quartaro's spot, and ex-Cyclones aide Tony Alford has been rehired to take Grant's spot. McCarney, whose Cyclones have played in bowls two straight seasons, is looking for someone to run his offense.... RB Maurice Clarett, Ohio's Mr. Football for 2001, has enrolled for the winter quarter at Ohio State. Clarett (6-0, 230), who ran for 2,295 yards and 30 touchdowns as a high school senior, wants to immerse himself in winter conditioning to prepare for spring drills. Clarett will compete with Lydell Ross, Maurice Hall and Sam Maldonado to start at running back.... Speaking of the Buckeyes, they are looking for an opponent to play in the 2002 Pigskin Classic. Teams can play 12 games this season and next because there are 12 Saturdays between Labor Day and Thanksgiving, but the possibility of a 13th game is making some programs uneasy. Boston College and Oregon State are potential opponents.... At the recent American Football Coaches Association meeting, Minnesota's Glen Mason revealed he regrets not taking the Georgia job when it was offered after the 1995 season. "Flying into Athens, we flew over the stadium, and I looked down at the campus and said to myself, `This is a great job, and what a wonderful opportunity.' I made a huge mistake by not taking that job." --T.D.