Davis back to full speed
Season-ending injuries last 2 years have slowed RB
GAINESVILLE — UF redshirt sophomore Malik Davis’ past two seasons ended in injuries, pushing the once-promising tailback into the background.
But Davis was not forgotten by many who mattered.
“Not in my book,” running backs coach Greg Knox said.
Davis has reminded anyone else during preseason camp what they had been missing. The Tampa native has shown the acceleration, wiggle and pass-catching ability he used to burst onto the scene as a first-year freshman in 2017.
Davis was one of the few bright spots for those Gators until he tore his ACL during Week 8 against Georgia. At the time, he was the leading rusher, averaging 6.7 yards a carry, for UF on its way to a 4-7 finish.
Last season, Davis broke his foot during Week 3 against Colorado State.
Those injuries were a tough blow, but gave Davis perspective.
“When you’re out, you kind of see how much you really love the game,” he said. “I’m really happy to be back out there.”
Davis finds himself in a crowded backfield led by senior Lamical Perine and featuring talented sophomore Dameon Pierce and redshirt freshman Iverson Clement.
“We’ve got a very talented group, very skillful group, and they all can make plays,” Knox said. “It’s very competitive.”
The 5-foot-11, 191-pound Davis is as talented and versatile as any of the team’s tailbacks.
Davis worked overtime this offseason with the team’s trainers, along with the strength and conditioning staff, to prepare for the season.
Showing up for preseason camp without the knee brace he wore during spring practices was a big step.
With the season a little more than a week away, Davis’ body is strong and his mind clear as he turns his attention to the Aug. 24 season opener against Miami at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium.
“I don’t even think about it,” Davis said of his past injuries. “I know how much work I’ve put in. When I’m out there, I feel comfortable. I just want to make sure I’m able to help the team out and stay healthy.
“I’m very excited.”
Team player
Fifth-year senior Van Jefferson led the Gators with 35 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdown catches a season ago. But the team’s top receiver is not above doing the dirty work to help his team win games.
Jefferson has been working as one of the team’s gunners — the two players lined up outside who are down the field first and set the tone in punt coverage. Fellow starting receiver Tyrie Cleveland starred in the role last season and lines up opposite Jefferson.
“They are both extremely fast guys,” punter Tommy Townsend said. “Super confident they can go down there and make big plays for me this year. We have a lot of talent on our punt team.”
Townsend said Jefferson’s willingness to cover punts exemplifies his teamfirst approach.
“That just to me shows … that he will do anything to help us win games,” Townsend said.
Lining up two starting receivers to cover punts also highlights the emphasis coach Dan Mullen puts on special teams, the socalled third phase of the game, yet one manned in many programs by backups and younger players.
“Our punt team, Dan Mullen loves it the most; we got a lot of starters on punt team,” said senior linebacker David Reese, who is on the kickoff team.
Whoever lines up at gunner will benefit from having Townsend handling punting duties. Townsend averaged 45.4 yards per boot to rank ninth nationally last season.
Townsend said his average hang time is 4.65 seconds on 38 punts during preseason camp, with a number of punts with hang time in the five-second range.
“I was a little bit lower last year,” he said. “This year, I’m hoping for more consistency and also higher hang times, get some more fair catches.”
Coaches’ picks
Six Gators landed on the SEC coaches preseason allconference team, but junior cornerback CJ Henderson was the only UF player to end up on the first team.
Tailback Lamical Perine, defensive end Jabari Zuniga, linebacker David Reese, kicker Evan McPherson and Townsend were second-team members.
Alabama led the way with 16 players on the two teams, including nine on the first team. Georgia had seven players overall, including four first-team selections, while LSU had six overall, including four on the first team.