TUSCALOOSA—Just two months ago, the jury was still out on whether true freshman Raekwon Davis would be eligible to play at the University of Alabama. The 6-foot-7, 325-pound defensive lineman carried a special energy into Bryant-Denny Stadium for last week’s match-up against Mississippi State.
Davis, a unanimous four-star prospect, is a native of Meridian, Miss.
In a decision that came down to Mississippi State, Florida State and Alabama, ex-Crimson Tide assistant Bo Davis swooned the big-named recruit over to crimson and white for 2016. He had 55 tackles, including 12.5 for loss and 8.5 sacks as a senior (2015) at Meridian High School, but academic issues had his career in limbo.
After being cleared by the NCAA on Sept. 7, Davis saw little action against Western Kentucky, Ole Miss, Kent State and Tennessee. He picked up two tackles against the Golden Flashes and Volunteers combined, however, the Magnolia man came up golden against his home state. Alabama’s second team unit was on the field in the fourth quarter, to face Mississippi State’s quarterback Damian Williams. With the game in hand, the Bulldogs decide to go for it on fourth down with three yards to go. Channeling the techniques he’s learned from coach Karl Dunbar and Jonathan Allen, Davis bull rushed an offensive lineman into Williams for his first career sack.
https://twitter.com/DLineVids/status/797734780066529280
He managed to also force a fumble on the play, which Mississippi State recovered.
Davis, who was one of three Mississippi natives signed in the Tide’s 2016 class, aided the team in limiting the Bulldogs to 94 rushing yards (35 carries, 2.7 average) and 274 total yards in a 51-3 victory.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
