+3
South Carolina landed an excellent back in Davis.
Mike Davis is one of the top running back recruits in the country. And he's the younger brother of current Cleveland Browns and former Clemson star running back, James Davis. He also happens to be committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks, a school that has whipped Clemson the last three years by a combined score of 97-37.
So it came as no surprise that James was not happy when, as he told it via Twitter, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney texted the elder James, saying that he did not want the South Carolina commitment to come for an official visit. Here's what Davis had to say:
Dabo Swinney just thinks he is a bad ass!!!!
He sent me a text saying he did not want my brother to come on a visit for ect reasons. Thats Bullshit when we need a running [back] at Clemson.
Some Clemson fans started firing back at Davis, and he reminded them that he is a proud Clemson Tiger:
Im a proud Clemson Alumni that loves my school very much!
Then former teammate and current Washington Redskins defensive tackle Jarvis Jenkins joined in to ask Davis if he was serious:
RT @Jarvis99jenkins: @Only1JamesDavis bruh u serious?/ Im serious big homie dude just really is arrogant
A call would have been nice but thru a text message just shows no kind of heart!
The other fans asked Davis about the potential benefits of such a visit, given that the younger Davis seemed solidly committed to South Carolina:
"@NickEverett7: @Only1JamesDavis In his defense, what's the point of your brother visiting when he's dead set on being a coot?/ u think?
I think some ppl missing the point. We just lost by 100 points in a BCS game. We should not be turning anyone away who will make US BETTER!
We as players and alumni love our University and our Fans. We only want the best.
@gp82 @Only1JamesDavis I get both sides of argument. Realistically, what chance would you give Clemson? Its better than no chance at all
Never give up in life no matter what. Give yourself a chance!
"@metalman82: @Only1JamesDavis do u think he would have decommitted from USC and changed to Clemson? We all doubt it./ Wont hurt to try
The moral of the story here?
If you coached a player who is a legend at your school, and his brother is an elite recruit committed to your arch-rival, and he wants to come for a visit, you need to let him take the visit. Or, if you genuinely don't believe he has any interest in the school and would only be taking the visit to recruit for the arch-rival, it's just better to pick up the phone and call.
Mike Davis, one of the top running backs in the country, has committed to the South Carolina Gamecocks, he announced via twitter. Davis stars for Stone Mountain's Stephensen (Ga.) High School. He stands 5'10" and weighs 200 pounds. Davis holds offers from over 30 BCS programs, including Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Clemson, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Maryland. The major recruiting services rate Davis as a four-star recruit, and most regard him as one of the top ten backs in the country.
Davis was committed to Florida for several months before decommitting and opening the recruiting process back up. Davis was thought to be favoring Georgia and South Carolina. This commitment was expected, as earlier in the dayGeorgia accepted a commitment from North Carolina running back Todd Gurley. Georgia's running back class was full, and Davis is off to South Carolina, where he will look to compete with junior Marcus Lattimore.
Davis is a tough, physical runner with decent speed and a solid feel for the game.
For more on South Carolina football, head to Garnet & Black Attack
Keith Marshall, one of the top running backs in the country, is set to announce today at 2:45 EST. He's long been considered a Georgia lean, but recently Clemson and the Florida Gators have been gaining steam. Is UGA losing its lead?
The Dawgs' actions today might indicate just that. From Twitter:
@KippLAdams
Kipp Adams#Dawgs offer top in-state RB. RT @Mike28davis: I know folks gone be mad but #UGA jus offered me.
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That's Mike Davis, former Florida commitment who decommitted from the Gators after UF continued to pursue Keith Marshall, despite reportedly telling Davis they were done at the position.
Why would UGA elect to offer Mike Davis just hours before Keith Marshall is set to commit? Could it be that UGA knows Marshall is going elsewhere and the Dawgs don't want Davis to feel like a backup plan? Could it be that UGA wants to take more running backs than originally planned?
Clemson did get the crucial last in-home visit this week, so it's possible they succeeded in swaying Marshall at the last minute. On the other hand, noted UGA recruiting expert Kipp Adams gives his take:
@KippLAdams
Kipp Adams Have heard talk of Keith Marshall to #Clemson for 2 days now. I would be totally surprised if Marshall didn't pick #UGA.
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We'll know in two hours. Check back to see where Marshall goes!
Mike Davis, College Football Recruiting 2012: Twitter Key Part Of Process Now
Mike Davis is expected to sign and fax his NLI to South Carolina on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day. When Davis told his 4,000+ Twitter followers that he was de-committing from the Florida Gators and committing to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks, there was some understandable grumbling. Of those followers, many of them were doing so because they were Florida fans.
Such is life these days for high profile college football recruits, especially those who take on the limelight. Attracting Twitter followers and making bold proclamations about commitments might sound fun, but there's a downside since you're always going to upset more people than you make happy.
For more on South Carolina football, head to Garnet & Black Attack
Jan 31 5:05p by Sean Keeley - 0 comments