COLLEGE FOOTBALL: E&H's Davis likes new role
By ALLEN GREGORY
Bristol Herald Courier
10/10/01
Adam Davis came to Emory & Henry College with marquee billing.
Davis has lived up to his hype. His role has just changed.
After a one-year stint at tailback, the 5-foot-8, 152-pound junior has emerged as one of the most effective receivers in the ODAC. He enters Saturday's crucial conference game at Randolph-Macon with 17 receptions for 337 yards, two touchdowns and an average of 19.8 yards per reception.
Not bad for a guy who rushed for over 3,000 yards at Richlands High School.
``I never knew things would turn out this way in college, but it's been a good deal,'' Davis said. ``With the way we rotate tailbacks every series here, I realized that I would see more playing time at receiver. ``The position switch was probably the best move for me and the team. I didn't mind it one bit.''
Davis rushed for 212 yards and a score as a freshman, including a solid effort that helped guide the Wasps over Davidson. Davis then caught 35 passes for 475 yards and four touchdowns last season.
``I was moved to receiver before the third game last year,'' Davis said. ``It has taken me a while to make the adjustment, but I am understanding the position more with each game. I can tell what kind of coverage the defense is in and where the open spots in the secondary are going to be.''
Nathan Tuck, a first-year receiver coach at E&H, has served as the tutor for Davis. Tuck earned first-team All-ODAC honors at receiver last season.
``Adam made the adjustment to receiver really quick and pretty much took over the second half of last season,'' Tuck said. ``We expected Adam to play a big role this season and he has.'' At 5-8, Davis is not exactly a big target. However, he has all the other essentials.``Adam is such a great athlete,'' Tuck said. ``He's quick, strong and he loves to catch the ball over the middle. ``Success in Division III football has a lot to do with heart. If you really work hard and are willing to play your role, you will make an impact.''
E&H quarterback Shannon Johnson certainly has confidence in Davis. `` Adam has good hands, he's agile and he can find the open spot in the defense,'' Johnson said. ``When a receiver can do all that, all the quarterback has to do is get the ball to him.''
E&H head coach Lou Wacker has been pleased with the performance of his converted receiver. ``Adam is a great H-back type player,'' Wacker said. ``We probably need to run Adam on more reverses and inside hitches, but he does a nice job overall. Adam will run crossing routes and catch the ball in the crowd.''
Davis was a show-stopper at Richlands, topping the 1,000-yard rushing mark as both a junior and senior en route to the school record for career yards. It was a family tradition for Davis, whose brother Neil and father Larry both played running back for the Blue Tornado.
After receiving interest from the University of Virginia's College at Wise and Richmond, Adam Davis settled for the E&H route. ``Richmond watched me a couple times in high school and recruited me to play receiver. I just felt like I would get a better opportunity to play at Emory. And things have worked out," Davis said.
