Florida Gators Swap Running Backs Adding Prolific Malik Davis
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Florida played musical chairs at the running back position on Tuesday and Wednesday first losing Clearwater High School standout Adarius Lemons but added Jesuit talent Malik Davis in his place.
Davis may be considered a three-star talent, but college coaches are in love with his play making abilities. Going against Florida 5A competition, Davis was about as prolific as it gets at any level rushing for 2,337 yards with 28 touchdowns during his junior season. Showing his all-around skill set, he added 11 receptions and 159 yards to his stat line helping the Tigers to a 13-1 record.
The Tigers are back to their dominating ways in 2016 posting a perfect 7-0 record thus far. Their 5-11, 190 pound, back is not disappointing the fan base rushing for 175 yards per game tallying 1,227 yards on the ground so far with 21 scores.
The writing may have been on the wall for a new running back needed for the Gators 2017 class. Florida offered Davis on Oct. 21 getting his commitment five days later. Davis posted his commitment on Twitter:
The list of colleges to offer Davis was 30-plus. Some of the schools dropping scholarships to the Tampa native includes Louisville, Miami, Arizona, Virginia Tech, Central Florida, West Virginia, South Florida, Pitt, North Carolina, and Missouri.
On Tuesday, Lemons (6-0.5, 195) posted his decommitment on Twitter:
247Sports and Rivals ranks Florida’s 2017 recruiting class No. 16 in the nation, No. 8 overall in the SEC.
Florida Gators 2017 Verbal Commitment List (16)
CB Elijah Blades, 6-2, 170, John Muir HS, Pasadena, CA
CB Shawn Davis, 5-11, 190, Miami Southridge HS, Miami, FL
CB Marco Wilson, 6-0, 180, American Heritage, Fort Lauderdale, FL
LB James Houston, 6-1, 225, American Heritage, Fort Lauderdale, FL
LB Ventrell Miller, 6-0, 227, Kathleen HS, Lakeland, FL
DE Zachary Carter, 6-4.5, 250, Hillsborough HS, Tampa, FL
DT Javier Edwards, 6-3, 350, Blinn College, Brenham, TX
DT Fred Hansard, 6-3, 324, Hun School, Princeton, NJ
DT Jordon Scott, 6-1, 345, Pinellas Park HS, Largo, FL
OT Kadeem Telfort, 6-7, 300, Norland HS, Miami, FL
TE Zech Byrd, 6-6, 235, Stanhope Elmore, Millbrook, AL
TE Kemore Gamble, 6-4, 216, Miami Southridge HS, Miami, FL
RB Malik Davis, 5-11, 190, Jesuit HS, Tampa, FL
QB Jake Allen, 6-3, 200, St. Thomas Aquinas HS, Fort Lauderdale, FL
WR Daquon Green, 6-1, 185, Tampa Bay Tech, Tampa, FL
ATH/QB Kadarius Toney, 6-0, 185, Blount HS, Eight Mile, AL
Photo credit: tampabaytimes.com; No. 20 Malik Davis breaks another long run.