St. John Bosco’s Davis is a nice guy, until game starts
Braves’ left tackle has football in his genes, and his father was in ‘The Program.’
Big left tackle is the latest strong lineman for the Braves, and he has football in his genes.
Humble, soft-spoken and wearing fragile hornrimmed glasses, 6-foot-4, 315-pound Wyatt Davis is a friendly 17-year-old who seems easily approachable and someone who acts like he’d be the first person to help an elderly person climb the steps of the football bleachers at St. John Bosco High in Bellflower.
A transformation in his personality takes place when the football pads and uniform go on. Suddenly, he becomes an All-American left offensive tackle who wants to annihilate anyone in his path.
“I know it’s going to sound mean, but I really like the feeling of being able to impose your will on someone that’s trying to stop it,” he said. “You can do that perfectly in football. I try to impose my will. I love competing and being aggressive.”
If there’s a consensus No. 1 blocker in Southern California high school football for the 2016 season, it would be Davis, an Ohio State commit. He appears ready to follow in the tradition of former St. John Bosco standouts Nico Falah and Damien Mama in becoming a lineman who makes a huge difference during games.
Davis remembers when he first showed up at St. John Bosco as a freshman and sought out Mama, who would go on to play for USC.
“Once I finally found him, I was like, ‘Man, hopefully one day I’ll be in the same position as him,’ ” Davis said.
Davis is well on his way to creating his own successful body of work. He has gained strength, agility and improved his footwork every season. It’s something his father, Duane, an actor beloved for his role playing Alvin Mack in the 1993 college football movie “The Program,” has always stressed.
“My dad has told me to make sure every year you have marked improvement,” Davis said. “I have to finish it out.”
Davis’ grandfather is Willie Davis, the Hall of Fame defensive end for the Green Bay Packers. His father’s portrayal of a freakof-nature linebacker in “The Program” always produces chuckles from those who learn of his connection.
“A lot of people trip out when they find out about my dad,” Davis said. “It’s mainly a lot of coaches. I’ve never had a kid my age come up, ‘Oh, your dad was in “The Program.” ’ It’s pretty funny when they find out.”
Davis can bench press 350 pounds and squat 600 pounds. He’s going to be blocking for a very fast quarterback this season in sprinter Re-al Mitchell, so it will be interesting to see Davis leading the way and trying to stay ahead of Mitchell.
Meanwhile, Davis has spent all summer getting stronger in the weight room. His older brother, David, is a defensive tackle for California.
Asked what would happen if it were brother versus brother, Wyatt said, “That would probably be a bloody battle. He’s very intense, so I know he’d be pretty upset if I beat him.”
And what would happen if it were Davis versus Alvin Mack?
“My dad has a bad knee,” he said.
We’ll all wait for “The Program II,” starring Wyatt Davis.