Small-School Player Making a Big Impact

Reggie Davis didn’t want to appear disrespectful, but he couldn’t help but laugh--with emphasis; the type of tone commonly reserved for the clueless.

And the question wasn’t even at the midway point when Davis, a redshirt freshman linebacker who figures to make Washington Huskies football fans happy for many Saturdays to come, released the roar through the phone line.

The inspiration came from a question about Davis’ high school: Brethren Christian. Isn’t it at least a bit unusual when schools as tiny as Brethren Christian (enrollment 500) produce impact college football players for major conferences? Or something like that.

No, the question wasn’t stupid, Davis said. It’s just that if he had a dollar for every time he was asked that . . .

“Well, it might be kind of strange to some people because the school is so small, but I didn’t think it was strange,” Davis said. “Not too many people have heard of it, not too many people know where it is, so I just tell them.”

The inquires probably will become more frequent if Davis does what his coaches believe he will. Davis is 6 feet 3, 230 pounds and faster than many halfbacks in the Pacific 10 Conference.

He starts at “whip linebacker,” which is Washington jargon for “go get the quarterback.” Davis feels especially suited for the task.

“I’m amped out there,” he said. “Whenever I’m on the field, I’m going to make plays.”

Davis backed up his proclamation and then some Saturday. His presence was felt in the second half of the 22nd-ranked Huskies’ season-opening victory over Arizona State, 23-20, at Seattle. The Sun Devils’ only points after halftime came on a 20-yard fourth-quarter field goal.

“He’s done a great job,” Husky assistant defensive coach Phil Elmassian said. “He’s an intelligent young man and an excellent young man.”

Davis credits his Brethren Christian coaches for helping to make him the person Elmassian admires so much.

“I really feel that the discipline they taught me there has helped me,” he said. “Discipline is also a big thing here.”

Davis was all-everything for the Warriors at quarterback and strong safety. When you’re as good as he was at that level, you don’t miss many downs, let alone quarters during a career.

Still, Davis said his adjustment to Division I football wasn’t shocking from a talent standpoint.

“Our talent level [at Brethren Christian] was actually quite high,” Davis said. “Besides, none of that really matters once you get here. The coaches don’t care where you played once you get here; all bets are off. They just care how you play here.”

Elmassian confirmed the opinion.

“I’ve been in coaching for 21 years, and in my experience the [high] school size is sometimes irrelevant,” he said. “The game changes and speeds up at this level for all freshmen.”

Which supports the belief: If you can play, they will find you.

Davis, though, had his share of transition pains. Redshirting, he found, didn’t do much for his excitement level.

That experience strengthened Davis’ resolve to remain on the field as long as he can for the rest of his days as a Husky.

“It’s a big adjustment knowing you’re not going to play every week, it’s really tough to motivate yourself,” Davis said. “This year, I’m expecting a lot from myself.”

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Staying put? Chris Draft was among many freshmen who played pivotal roles for Stanford last season. Only problem was that Draft (Valencia High) rarely knew where he would play.

He started one game at strong safety, one game at outside linebacker and one at defensive end. He also moved from position to position as a backup, playing in all 11 games and finishing with 35 tackles, including two sacks.

This season, so far at least, it appears as though Draft will be a fixture at outside linebacker. The Cardinal coaching staff hopes Draft’s perpetual motion has given him a better understanding of the game. Draft simply hopes he’s finally found a home he can hang around for a while.

Stanford opened the season with a 47-33 victory at San Jose State.

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Waiting at Miami: Scott Covington (Dana Hills High) didn’t produce gaudy high school quarterback statistics. However, when you’re intelligent, strong-armed, and 6-4 that’s about all the major powers need to know to invite you on board.

And like many young quarterbacks, Covington was ecstatic to be at the top of the Hurricanes’ wish list two seasons ago. After redshirting last season, Covington assumed his place as the backup to starter Ryan Collins.

He was on the Rose Bowl sideline during UCLA’s 31-8 rout of the Hurricanes.

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Tough start: Tony Gonzalez’s sophomore season at Cal didn’t start the way the tight end had hoped.

San Diego State routed visiting Cal, 33-9, Saturday. Gonzalez (Huntington Beach) caught four passes for 39 yards.

Keeping Track is as a regular column in The Times following the progress of former Orange County athletes competing for colleges elsewhere.