 "Photo: Juan Blas/ The Gamecock")
One yard. Three feet. No, the distance might not seem like much, but for USC's starting true-freshman tailback Mike Davis, the end of the run was what mattered most. Waiting at the culmination of 36 inches was Davis' first collegiate career touchdown, and if his production at the high-school level is any indication, there will be plenty more in store for the local product.
Only a year ago, Davis was rushing for more than 2,000 yards for the Columbia High Capitals. Now, with last year's starting tailbacks gone - Demetris Summers was dismissed from the team and Cory Boyd was suspended for the season - Davis has the opportunity to be a vital cog in first-year coach Steve Spurrier's offense.
Davis' early rise to prominence in Carolina's offense continues a trend started by other Gamecock running backs;
Summers played significantly as a true freshman, as did Boyd. The trend stretches back to early in the Lou Holtz era, when running back Derek Watson started early in his career. Unfortunately for Gamecock fans, Watson, Summers and Boyd ran into trouble in their careers, costing Watson and Summers their spots on the team and Boyd the 2005 season.
Davis isn't taking his opportunity lightly. Spurrier recently said Davis will get more touches this week against Troy, but it's all about quality, not quantity, for the soft-spoken back.
"To me, playing in the game, I want to get just enough to contribute," Davis said. "It doesn't really matter how many carries I get; I'm going to do the best with the carries that I (can)."
That kind of attitude pushed Davis to excel in high school, where his career totals of 5,517 all-purpose yards and 68 touchdowns made him one of the most coveted recruits in the state of South Carolina as Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina and archrival Clemson clamored for his services. Yet Davis decided it was best for him to stay closer to home. Among his chief reasons were the proximity to his family and friends and the comfort of being in familiar surroundings.
Davis' success in this familiar collegiate environment might be to emulate his sports idols. Growing up, Davis enjoyed the moves of Heisman Trophy-winning running back Eddie George at Ohio State and the Super Bowl-winning talent possessed by Dallas' Emmitt Smith. A couple similarities exist between those legends and Davis; like the bruising George, Davis enjoys running between the tackles, and like the diminutive Smith, Davis is less than 6 feet tall at 5-feet-9 inches.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, Davis has a few games highlighted on his calendar. While every game has certain magic in his first season, the season finale against Clemson holds a certain understandable intrigue, as many Clemson players have become Davis' close friends after playing in the Shrine Bowl together.
While the annual showdown with the in-state rivals is a major game for most on both rosters, another game piques Davis' interest just a little bit more.
Surprisingly, Davis can't wait to suit up against Kentucky. Not only did coach Rich Brooks and company actively recruit Davis, but one of Davis' former Columbia High teammates and friends is now a Wildcat.
"Every game is special, but Kentucky is one of those games (to be excited about) ... . I'm playing against one of my teammates ... . Ventrell Jenkins," Davis said. "We're still real good friends. It's going to be a big game."
With his strong work ethic and desire to perform, Mike Davis is the kind of athlete that wants to make an impact with the program in the long haul. His high-school coach, Kemper Amick, said he believes Davis is a rare, special talent.
"Without a doubt, Mike is the most complete player I have ever coached," Amick said. "He can be an impact player. He has all the tools and will only get better."
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