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Ex-Kathleen Star Davis Excited About Chance

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By JOEY JOHNSTON

jjohnston@tampatrib.com

Published: December 6, 2008

TAMPA - For Boston College redshirt freshman quarterback Dominique Davis, today represents a dream-like opportunity.

Davis, from Kathleen High, has been propelled into the starting job as the Eagles (9-3) take on Virginia Tech (8-4) in the ACC Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium, located about 30 minutes from his Lakeland home.

Dozens of times, Davis has been in the stadium to watch the Bucs.

Now, he is on center stage.

"I'm not scared," said Davis, a 6-foot-4, 198-pounder. "I'm excited."

Davis, who had attempted only 12 career passes, got his shot on Nov. 22 at Wake Forest when starter Chris Crane suffered a broken collarbone. There were shaky moments. Davis lost two fumbles - and both were returned for touchdowns. But he settled his nerves and led the Eagles on a game-winning 70-yard drive, scoring on a 1-yard sneak with 1:12 remaining to give BC a 24-21 win against the Demon Deacons.

Last Saturday, with no safety net, Davis was 12 of 24 for 134 yards and two touchdowns (and no turnovers) in a 28-21 win against Maryland that clinched the ACC Atlantic Division for BC.

"It tells you a lot about the kid, because he didn't even flinch," Eagles coach Jeff Jagodzinski said. "He just went out and played football. He had fun out there.

"When he went into the Wake Forest game, he was a little bit overwhelmed at first because he'd never done it. He had a great week of preparation. That's the key for the quarterback to play well. As a starter, you're really focused in. You want your second guy to be focused in. But until you're that guy, you haven't done it."

Now Davis, 19, has done it.

If things play to form, it could be the start of a long college career.

And just think, it's still a bit of a surprise that he is playing quarterback.

At Kathleen, he was a junior-varsity defensive end and tight end. As a junior, he shifted to wide receiver. But with the Red Devils struggling at quarterback, a teammate told coaches that Davis was a good passer.

He got his shot.

He never left.

As a senior, Davis was a Class 3A first-team all-state quarterback, passing for 2,758 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Davis joined a distinguished list of Kathleen performers, including tight end Desmond Clark (who is Davis' brother), linebacker Ray Lewis, wide receiver Freddie Mitchell, defensive back Torrian Gray (ironically, now a Virginia Tech assistant) and defensive back Kenny Gant.

Davis also played guard on Kathleen's state runner-up basketball team, while high-jumping 6-8 to place fifth in the state for the track and field team.

Despite his multiple athletic skills and potential at quarterback, Davis didn't have an abundance of football offers.

"BC and Middle Tennessee," he said. "That was about it."

Davis chose BC because of its academics and its football tradition. In his redshirt season, he got to learn alongside Matt Ryan, the ACC Player of the Year who was the No. 3 overall draft pick for the Atlanta Falcons this year.

This season looked like another learning year until Crane went down. Now Davis could win an ACC title near his hometown and clinch BC's first Orange Bowl appearance since 1943.

"Dominique has handled it very well," Eagles senior wide receiver Brandon Robinson said. "He doesn't get rattled. Once he knows the game plan and knows his reads, he goes out and executes that.

"It's a testament to him that he's going to be a good player for BC in the future. Our coaches preach to the guys who aren't starters, 'You're one play away.' You need to have the mindset 'I'm a starter,' because you never know when that opportunity going to come."

Now, that opportunity has come for Davis. And the only thing that might rattle him now is the ticket demands from his family and friends.

"I think I've got the whole city of Lakeland coming to the game," he said, laughing.

A few weeks back, who could have imagined it? That's why this afternoon should be the highlight of Davis' football life.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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