Davis looks to take flight with Thunderbirds
Mount Douglas grad begins final season of UBC football
With his knee back to 100 per cent, Marcus Davis is anxious to get going on his draft year, and Canadian Football League teams will certainly be watching the former Mount Douglas Rams star, who catches passes for the UBC Thunderbirds.
“It’s feeling really good right now, back to 100 per cent,” said Davis, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee midway through last Canada West season.
The just-turned 21-year-old was running down the side line in Game 5 of the 2016 campaign and made a cut he says he shouldn’t have made and the knee went out. Thankfully it did not affect his meniscus. He had surgery in December and has gone through rehabilitation all off-season and summer.
“I’m excited to be back. It’s going to be a big year for sure. We have a great team and there are expectations to do well with 11 of the 12 starters back [on offence]. There’s a lot of pressure, but we’re confident. We’ll get the job done, I’m sure of it,” said the 2015 Vanier Cup champion, who lines up at slotback and returns punts.
“Potentially this is my last run at the college level. There’s definitely more pressure with that, but at the same time, pressure is a good thing. It will make me play better and rise to the occasion,” he Slotback Marcus Davis missed half the Canada West season with a knee injury last season but the former Mount Doug star looks ready to lead UBC back to the playoffs. said of the watchful eyes.
The No. 7-rated T-Birds kick off their U Sports season in Regina tonight against the No. 5-ranked Rams.
Davis is looking toward a professional career in the CFL, following in the footsteps of older brother, Terrell Davis, who toils in Hamilton as a backup linebacker and a top-notch special-teams player.
“It’s been a goal of mine since I started playing football,” Marcus said of playing pro. “I’ve been doing all I can to get to that next level. I’ve stuck to my plan and everything has been working out. Hopefully, I’ll be in the CFL next season.”
Like his brother and fellow Islander Quinn Van Gylswyk, they are among the half-dozen UBC grads from the 2015 championship team to move to the CFL. The others include Taylor Loffler (Winnipeg), Riley Jones (Calgary) and Mitch Barnett (Hamilton).
“There are a lot of UBC guys to look up to, especially my brother. He has always been the guy I have looked up to. He’s paved the way for me and all I’ve had to do is follow along with him,” said Davis. “He’s always kept me grounded and in check. He’s done a great job of helping me throughout my football career.”
Despite playing just five games last year, Davis still made 30 catches for 310 yards and a touchdown and was also named an All-Canadian punt returner.
“That was big for me,” he said of the All-Canadian nod, despite the injury. “It was kind of a bright light when the season was looking kind of dark for me.”
He certainly has a bright future, says his coach, Blake Nill.
“Marcus Davis is one of the most-talented players I’ve had the opportunity to [coach]. He’s a difference-maker,” Nill told the Vancouver Province last week. “Losing him last year to that injury really hurt us. He’s worked unbelievably hard to get back, to get back in shape, to get back to the level of athleticism that he had.
“Marcus knows what’s at stake. It’s his draft year, there’s no question he wants to play at the next level. He has the reputation, he has the genetics, the speed — he just has to prove to the scouts and everyone else that he’s over this injury.”
POINTS AFTER: Davis is not the lone Island product to don the Thunderbirds uniform, as former Belmont Bulldog Edgar Nelson returns for Year 2 while former V.I. Raiders Dylan Chapdelaine, Marshall Cook and Alec Pennell all suit up. Ballenas Secondary products Sebastian Howard, Nick Cessford, Stephen Martin and Garrin McDonnell are also with UBC. Former Belmont star Sam Varao is entering his third year at fullback with Regina.