Davis has finally found a consistent position

STORRS — Keeping up with the various positions Tyler Davis has played since his arrival at UConn is no easy task.

Davis was recruited as a quarterback before being shifted to tight end. He then became a receiver and at times last season it was a challenge to determine whether he was a receiver or an undersized tight end.

Finally, it appears as if the redshirt junior from North Bellmore, N.Y., has found a home.

Davis, who has added eight pounds since the end of last season, up to 243 on an 6-foot-4 frame, has not only made the full-time move to tight end but he is embracing his role as the leader on the most inexperience offensive unit at UConn.

“They have a specific spot, you can focus on the details of the job so I think that is going to be pretty good for me,” Davis said. “Kind of getting acclimated to it and having time out there to help make the transition from wide receiver back to tight end definitely helped me out a lot. Putting a lot of work in the offseason to try to smooth out some weaknesses, it is all coming together now.

“I am just trying to be a better all-around tight end. I think my strength in the past is being more of a pass-catching, athletic kind of guy, so just trying to do some stuff inline, try to work on blocking.”

Following the graduation of Alec Bloom and Tommy Myers, the four tight ends on UConn’s current roster have caught a total of 25 passes as Davis had 11 receptions during the 2016 season season and another 14 last season. Ryan Fitton, Zordan Holman and Jay Rose are still waiting to make their first career receptions. Although Davis is still learning how to play tight end, he had two pretty good role models in Bloom and Myers.

“They mean to world to me, they are two of my best friends,” Davis said. “I really can’t thank them enough for what they did for me when I originally come over to tight end from quarterback, the stuff that they taught me was always positive stuff, encouraging ever since I moved and to this day they are still encouraging me, still trying to help me.

“Right after the season last year I realized how much Tommy and Alec had an impact on me so when the season was over to try to be that guy for Ryan, Zordan and Jay, be there for them. In our off days try to come in here and get some work, try to show them the things that

Tommy and Alec showed me a few years ago. I am trying to pass on the knowledge so we can be the best tight end group we can possibly be.”

Davis knows all about getting the most out of his ability. At practices, it is not unusual to see Davis sprint full speed to the next spot on the practice field when one session comes to an end and another is beginning. He also does the work off the field as he was one 27 returning UConn football players to be honored recently for attaining at least a 3.0

grade-point average in either the most recently completed fall or spring semester. Davis can certainly appreciate seeing others going above and beyond both on the field and off. Having crossed paths with former UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffein. Davis was pulling for former teammate Foley Fatukasi at the recent NFL scouting combine but he was also transfixed by what Griffin accomplished at the event.

Griffin was born with a congenital birth deflect called amniotic band syndrome. The pain was so extreme in his left hand that his mother found Griffin attempting to cut

his fingers off. The following day, his left hand was amputated. Griffin would become the American Athletic Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and was a main reason why the Knights were the only Football Bowl Subdivision team to finish with a perfect record during the 2017 season.

Griffin used a prosthetic on his left arm and promptly bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times at the scouting combine. He wasn’t done as he blazed his way to a time of 4.38 seconds in the 40-yard dash to become the face of this year’s NFL scouting combine.

“He is amazing, playing against him he is just a very good football player,” Davis said. “The spirit that he has is unbelievable. I was watching when he ran his 40 and I was sitting down, I saw him take off and I knew it was going to be fast. I stood right out of my chair and saw the the 4.38 hit, I put my head in my hands and thought, ‘wow this guy can do anything.’ It is impressive to see, I love watching him and I am pulling for him. He is a great player, a great person and I hope that everything works out for him.”