Glendale High’s Davis waived by Los Angeles Chargers
There was a time in the early summer where it seemed like the dream of reaching an NFL roster was a strong possibility for Glendale High alumnus Michael Davis.
The Brigham Young University product impressed during training camp with the Los Angeles Chargers as a cornerback with a team that lacked health and depth in the secondary.
Reality, though, set in Saturday afternoon.
Davis was the final in a flurry of cuts made by the Chargers as the rookie was waived minutes before the 1 p.m. deadline set by the NFL as teams needed to trim rosters to their final 53.
Davis was one of 22 players waived Saturday as Los Angeles released four additional players, waived-injured six athletes, reserved-suspended two and reserved-injured one.
Los Angeles settled with five cornerbacks and five safeties.
“I’m sort of surprised,” Glendale High athletic director Pat Lancaster said after hearing Davis was left off the final roster. “I thought they’d find a place for him. I’m proud of him. He learned quite a bit and he’ll move forward and he’ll be better prepared next year.”
Davis’ future is unclear at this point. He might sign later with the Chargers if injuries arise. He could sign and be placed on the Chargers’ practice squad or he could ink with another team.
Davis’ route to Saturday began April 29, shortly following the conclusion of the NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-2, 196-pound cornerback went undrafted, but was one of 15 players to sign a free-agent contract with the Chargers.
Los Angeles was an attractive locale for many reasons, but one key factor was that the Chargers had at least one undrafted free agent make their final 53-man roster for 20 straight years. Star tight end Antonio Gates and retired big-play wide receiver Malcolm Floyd are two examples.
Davis was an early training camp darling and stood out as the squad opened camp at the Costa Mesa’s Jack Hammett Farm Sports Complex in late July.
Perhaps his most notable play was came when Davis tracked down Chargers starting running back Melvin Gordon and forced a fumble on sheer hustle.
When Davis last spoke with the Glendale News-Press in August, the 22-year-old could not hide his excitement.
“It would mean a lot. I came from a small school, especially in sports,” Davis said. “Not too many people make it out of Glendale High School in sports.
“I’ve switched position from receiver to corner in college and to be able to come out here for the Chargers. I know they like me because I’m fast, but I’m trying to prove that I can do more and it would be a huge accomplishment.”
Fortunes changed for Davis in the team’s first preseason game at the StubHub Center in Carson versus the Seattle Seahawks on Aug. 13.
Davis was picked on frequently and surrendered five receptions of 18 yards or more.
Even though he finished with five tackles, the impression from that game was hard to overcome.
Davis totaled nine tackles and two assists in four preseason games, which tied for fifth on the squad.
In his final preseason action, Davis finished with one tackle in Los Angeles’ 23-13 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Thursday.
Previous to this season, Davis finished off a four-year career at BYU in which he made 30 starts and played in 48 games with 110 tackles, 17 pass breakups and one interception.
Davis was hoping to become the first Glendale High athlete to play in the NFL since linebacker Duane Bickett, a USC star, retired from the Carolina Panthers in 1996.
