Adam Davis Not Afraid of Change
Following is a reprint of an article by SCOTT J. BRYAN
in the Bristol Herald Courier Oct 17, 2002
As a sophomore at Richlands High School, Davis was a starting wide receiver asked to move to tailback to help the team. He complied with the request and led the Blue Tornado in rushing his final three years of secondary school.
Fast forward to his days at Emory & Henry, when Davis was asked to move back to his former slot, wide receiver, during his sophomore season. It's all about change, something Davis has never feared. "When they first moved me to wide receiver, I had Nathan Tuck here to help me along," Davis recalled. "Watching him and seeing what he was doing, I tried to replicate him. It made be a better receiver."
Now Davis is the old guy on the block, dispersing wisdom to younger receivers as he works toward completing his swan song senior year. "Hopefully, the young guys will run routes the way I do and ask me questions," Davis said. "I'd like to help them."
Davis knows a few things about running routes, heading into Saturday's Old Dominion Athletic Conference contest with Randolph-Macon. Davis is just one catch away from his 100th reception and is currently seventh all time in receiving. "You never know what's going to happen," said Davis, who has 15 catches for 194 yards this year. "The pocket might cave in and (quarterback) Shannon (Johnson) might be scrambling. You have to break off a route or go long."
As a freshman, Davis spent most of the time in the backfield as a tailback, rushing for 249 yards and a touchdown on 66 carries. But much like his sophomore season in high school, change was imminent. Davis moved to receiver and caught 345 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns. His junior year brought even more impressive numbers -- 46 receptions for 658 yards and three touchdowns. "I love to run the football," Davis said. "That's what I love to do. I'm kind of like Forrest (Gladson). I'm shifty. If there isn't something there, I can make it happen. I'm a possession running back. I'm like that as a receiver. I'll go eight-10 yards and get a first down across the middle. Those are the type of big plays we need."
Big is not a word used to describe Davis. He's listed as 5-foot-8 in the Emory & Henry media guide, but Davis admits his height is closer to 5-foot-7. "When I'm playing slot, I'm more of a possession receiver," Davis said. "You have to have the courage to go across the middle and make a catch. You look back and (the defensive backs) are just drooling, waiting to hit you. You don't even see them coming."
As one of the E&H elders, Davis has witnessed quite a bit during his four-year career. "I have seen it all here," Davis said. "I've been here when we've been at the highest peak. Right now, we're going through a tough time. I still think we can come out well in the season. Everybody is playing hard. We're just one play away, a lot of times, from being in the situation to win. "I, personally, need to step up and make those big plays. I felt like I've been in the situation to make the big play and I haven't. My whole life I've been able to come through. It's very frustrating. You have to keep working with it. You have to keep your confidence."
The Wasp, currently 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, will host Randolph-Macon on Saturday at Fullerton Field, the first Emory & Henry home game in nearly a month. After back-to-back losses, Davis said he feels a win is necessary. "It's huge," Davis said. "We need to win this game, to get our confidence back up. We need to make the big plays. When we get the chance to score, we need to score. Hopefully, by winning this game, that will give us more confidence to go up to Bridgewater and give them a run for their money. We could surprise them. They might be overconfidence. They might think this isn't the Emory & Henry of old."
It may be a new Emory & Henry team, but the wide receiver is a familiar face.
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Saturday, October 19th, Adam recorded his 100th reception as a member of the WASPS of Emory and Henry College against Randolph Macon
