Avery Davis Looking For A Chance To Get Comfortable
Avery Davis came to Notre Dame to play quarterback, but after one season behind center he was moved to running back, then to corner, then back to running back. When you looked at how effective Davis was as a runner in high school it made sense, but he never looked like a fit at running back.
It would seem Davis is poised to play more wide receiver as a senior, and it’s a position where he could finally find a home. The damage Davis has done in his career has been in the pass game.
Even as a running back in 2019, Davis was used primarily in the pass game, and he showed his speed and after-the-catch skills in those limited opportunities. Davis hauled in 10 passes for 124 yards last season, and two of those receptions went for touchdowns. He only carried the ball six times.
As he enters his senior season, Davis gets another chance, possibly his last, to turn his quickness and YAC skills into a regular spot in the offensive rotation.
GETTING COMFORTABLE
Davis is a quality athlete, of that there is no doubt. He was a run-throw quarterback in high school, rushing for 1,007 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. The issue is he has yet to get adjusted to one position, due mainly to moving around so much, and he’s not dynamic enough from an athleticism standpoint to still be overly effective without playing with the technique and nuance needed to thrive at the position.
The hope is that Davis will be able to make a smooth transition to the slot position, which is where he’s shown the greatest comfort level at Notre Dame. Not having a full spring to make that adjustment certainly doesn’t help, but as long as he’s putting in the work at home he can get plenty of development on the necessary route techniques for the position.
If Davis can finally get comfortable with the nuances of the position he’ll have a chance to become a valuable part of the Irish receiver rotation.
WHAT WILL THE ROLE BE
Davis will need a fast start in fall camp in order to carve out a niche in the offense. Just being able to run jet sweeps for big plays - like he did against New Mexico - won’t earn him a regular spot in the rotation. Davis needs to develop his ability to make plays past the line of scrimmage.
The Texas native didn’t look comfortable catching the ball down the field in 2018, and that factored into him losing snaps as the season wore on. Davis will need to show that ability in fall camp, with seam routes, crossers and drags being the primary longer-developing routes that he’ll need to be effective with.
Learning the finer points of winning in the quick game is the next area where Davis will need continued refinement.
If he can learn to effectively run those routes and get open he’ll have a chance to earn a legit rotation role in the slot. With his above-average speed and after-the-catch ability, being able to win with those types of routes will allow him to be in position to thrive. If he excels in those areas it will make him even more effective on the sweeps and screen game throws.
PLAYING FOR A 5TH?
Davis took a redshirt in 2016, so he has an extra season of eligibility in 2021, but if he’s going to be back for a fifth season he’ll need to make his presence felt in 2020. If Davis can step up and earn a playmaking role on offense and special teams in 2020 he’ll have an opportunity to earn a fifth season and an increased role.
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