Terrell Davis has opted to call an audible on his football career.
The talented Mount Douglas Rams graduate has left the Arizona State Sun Devils in favour of joining the UBC Thunderbirds for the 2014 Canada West season.
“I’m really excited about heading over to Vancouver and playing at UBC,” said the just turned 20-year-old, who returned home before Christmas for good. “I love playing football and I haven’t been able to play some meaningful snaps in quite a while.
“I was expecting much more [from ASU] and, ultimately, that’s the reason why I left there,” he added. “Things weren’t really working out there. I wasn’t getting much playing time, so I decided to explore my options elsewhere.”
There were rumblings throughout the season that the two-time Subway Bowl winner, who was also named B.C. high school triple-A player of the year in 2011, was not happy with his situation in Tempe.
Davis had scampered for 123 yards and two touchdowns in a fall scrimmage, but after limited special teams play in Game 1 this season, never saw the field again, despite being considered a highly touted prospect.
Hence the move, which he officially committed to last week, despite rumblings that the UBC program could be chopped.
“I’m not worried about that. Coaches have assured me that football will be there for years to come,” he said.
“He’s coming to play football at UBC, so we’re all pretty excited,” said T-Birds assistant coach and recruiter Paul Orazietti. “It’s probably one of the biggest commitments we’ve had here since I’ve been here in four years, which is fantastic.
“He’s a pleasure to just be around. Such a good guy and for me, personally, I’ve known him for nine years and always close to his career. He’s an amazing football player and an even better person. We recruited Terrell as much for his character as his ability on the field.”
In an ironic twist, younger brother Marcus Davis, who starred at runningback, receiver and defensive back at Mount Doug the last two years, is taking an official visit to Washington State this weekend. It’s the same the school which first recruited the elder Terrell.
Coaching changes with the WSU Cougars forced Terrell to make a move south to ASU.
“They’re pretty close to offering him [a scholarship], so if that happens I think he’ll end up there. Funny how that works,” Terrell Davis said of that possibility. “They throw the ball quite a bit and he enjoys that.”
Marcus Davis, the triple-A B.C. player of the year the last two years, would look at the receiving position at WSU. If that doesn’t work out he may join UBC as well.
“We put our best foot forward with Marcus as well,” admitted Orazietti. “There are compelling arguments for Marcus to play with his brother and when the dust settles, we’re hopeful that we’ve put that compelling argument together for him, too.
“Maybe in a couple of weeks we’ll have some good news on that as well. We’re certainly very respectful of the process Marcus is going through. He’s earned that opportunity,” he added.
The T-Birds have also managed to attract Cowichan Bulldogs linebacker/runningback Drayson Price, who will likely play at defensive back. They are also looking at several more Mount Doug Rams and Belmont and Nanaimo products, admitted Orazietti.
“We’re hoping for a banner year from the Island,” said Orazietti, himself from Victoria.
