We're featuring some of our HomeTeam 100 players, including our No. 34 player, Chamberlain LB/FB Anthony Davis:
After two seasons at Ocala West Port, the Tampa native returned home last year, blossoming with potential, dreadlocks and a bit of insubordination.
Injuries, and some tough love from then-coach D.J. Mayo, limited him to six games in 2012.
“He was kind of a wild horse,” said Chiefs defensive coordinator Trae Gentle , who has known Davis roughly half his life. “Coach Mayo was kind of a disciplinarian and we had to break him of some bad habits.”
A year later, the dreads have grown out and the free spirit has been reined in. Davis (5-10, 200) has emerged as a leader in the Chiefs’ locker room and one of the area’s most sought-after defensive players.
He entered the preseason with 13 offers. Depending on which college he has visited, he has been projected anywhere from safety to corner to linebacker. Frequently unblockable off the edge, he ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at Wake Forest.
For Chamberlain, “he’s going to be everywhere this year,” Gentle said.
Including a few quarterbacks’ nightmares. In the Chiefs’ 19-17 upset of Gaither last October, Davis batted three of Alex McGough’s passes near the line of scrimmage.
“I think he’s very instinctive, he has a nose for the ball,” Gentle said. “Even though he played in only six games, he probably led us in pass deflections. …He’s a punishing tackler also. A lot of our guys are terrified to go up against him.”
Also in this series:
Players 91-100
Players 81-90
Players 71-80
Players 61-70
Players 51-60
Players 41-50
Players 31-40