Davis ready to carry rushing mantle for Gamecocks
With SEC Media Days just days away, all eyes will be on one of the event's biggest attendees — South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, a preseason Heisman contender and arguably the most electrifying defensive player in recent SEC history.
But while every minute of Clowney's life will be in the spotlight from the moment he appears before the media in Birmingham, Ala. until the Heisman ceremony in December, one of his teammates could quietly slip in as Steve Spurrier's secret weapon in 2013.
Sophomore running back Mike Davis is the Gamecocks' only returning runner with any SEC game experience.
Even though he gained 275 yards on just 52 carries a season ago, Davis spent his freshman year as an afterthought to Marcus Lattimore, one of the most dynamic backs in the nation when healthy, and Kenny Miles, South Carolina’s third-leading rusher with 359 yards and a couple of rushing touchdowns.
Both Lattimore and Miles are gone, allowing Davis to serve as the primary ballcarrier in a year the Gamecocks hope to make it back to the SEC Championship in Atlanta.
"I just want to go out and separate myself from other people, stand out," Davis said in the spring.
He did just that, surprising a lot of fans and some of his coaches with a newly discovered power and explosiveness. He also got stronger in the offseason by gaining more than 10 pounds of muscle and showing new bursts of speed.
No one is ready to put Davis in a league with Lattimore — not yet anyway — but he does have a couple of advantages over his predecessor. For starters, the South Carolina offensive line has also gotten bigger, stronger and faster.
Led by 315-pound. fourth-year junior A.J. Cann. the Gamecocks have one of the best front fives in the conference. Much like T.J. Yeldon and Eddie Lacy at Alabama a year ago, Davis will have plenty of holes opening up, if he can show enough patience at the point of attack.
Spurrier’s desire to install a two-back, pro-set offense will also help. The Old Ball Coach is known to change quarterbacks more often than he changes visors, but whether Connor Shaw or Dylan Thompson is taking snaps, Davis will most likely be lined up in the backfield with fullback Connor McLaurin.
A big offensive line and a strong lead blocker should be all that's needed for Davis to break through.
He should also be a factor in the passing game. Spurrier loves to run delay routes with running backs, as evidenced by the fact Lattimore was a primary target during his three seasons. Davis even snagged four catches for 35 yards last year. Those numbers should grow exponentially this fall.
Questions about Davis's ball control were answered in the spring with Spurrier sounding a note of overall optimism the Gamecocks have their primary runner for the fall campaign.
"Mike will be ready to play," Spurrier said in his typical understated fashion after the Gamecocks' spring workouts. But the smile he flashed afterward said it all.
Davis could be the offensive piece that pushes South Carolina into championship contention.
And if the Gamecocks win the SEC East, a running game that exceeds everyone's expectations would certainly be a primary reason behind a division title.