Sports

Colleges 2006

Chris Davis: one to watch

By Times Staff
Published September 1, 2006

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CHRIS DAVIS, RECEIVER

BREAKOUT 2005

Davis, the former St. Petersburg Catholic star, finally was healthy enough to take advantage of the opportunity he had last season to shine. He had team highs in receptions, 51, which more than doubled his career high for a season, and 666 yards, another career high by a wide amount. He also had five touchdowns, second only to Greg Carr and another career best.

ROLL TAPE

One reason for his improvement came after Bowden showed him some tape of what not to do, too much dancing around and going east-west instead of finding openings quickly and going up field. "When he was doing all high school stuff, he wasn't getting any yards," Bowden said. "Oh, it looked cute to him, but he wasn't getting any yards after the catch."

ROUTE TO THE TOP

The 6-foot, 180-pound senior might not have Xavier Carter-type speed, but he doesn't have to run a 10-second 100 meters to get open, thank you very much. "Chris Davis runs the best routes I've ever seen out of anybody," quarterback Drew Weatherford said.

RETURN TO SENDER

With the graduation of Willie Reid, the MVP of both the ACC title game and the Orange Bowl on the strength of his receiving and punt returns, Davis looms as a strong possibility for the return spot. He had eight returns for 26 yards in 2004 and 12 for 111 in 2003.

[Last modified August 29, 2006, 10:01:09]

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