Mike Davis shot out of the gate last year, racking up 1,058 yards through nine games before injuries slowed him down and held him to just 125 more yards the rest of his starting campaign. When healthy, Davis is one of the best and most feared backs in the SEC. His 5’9″, 223 pound frame provide a perfect mix of size and power, while his deceptive speed allows him to beat secondaries to the end zone. Davis comes into 2014 as a dark horse Heisman candidate, and talks of him entering the draft and forgoing his final year of eligibility have already started heating up.
The issue that is continually brought up is once again his health. He has not practiced this week due to a rib injury, and is listed as questionable for the first game of the season on Aug. 28 on the new SEC Network. Davis seems to be downplaying the injury, but head coach Steve Spurrier does not.
According to GoGamecocks.com, Spurrier said, “Mike Davis has been hurt, he hasn’t practiced all week. I don’t know if he’d even be able to start or not. But we got Brandon Wilds, he’s ready to go. Shon Carson, Dave Williams, so we’re in good shape there.”
Spurrier, in typical Spurrier fashion, answered in a vague manner, leaving much left unsaid.
Although there are other talented backs in the Gamecock system, Davis not playing to start the season would be a huge blow to the preseason No. 9 team in the country.
*Featured Photo (above) credit to Stephen Morton, Associated Press; Section Photo credit to Kim Kim Foster-Tobin, The State
