To him it feels weird, but the results of last season were needed for Raekwon Davis.
Like most true juniors, his eyes were set on the National Football League.
He entered 2018 convinced that he would impress pro scouts, turn in massive numbers, win a few individual awards and then hear his name called as a first-round pick. Life has a way of letting one know that although it may have big preparations, uncertain situations can happen at any time.
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Certainly, Davis did not think former teammates Quinnen Williams and Isaiah Buggs would garner more attention than him. It was not in the cards for Williams to collect 19.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks and be the No. 3 overall pick. The vision did not have Buggs coming in and taking the rest of the glory; nevertheless, both happened and Davis was highly frustrated.
Regardless of being 6-foot-7 and 312 pounds, he is an emotional person.
His thoughts and feelings get the best of him at times, and he even admitted himself that last season was not for him. In answering a question as to why it was not, Davis highlighted all the little things he took for granted.
He reflected upon his sophomore campaign; the one in 2017 where he had fun dropping quarterbacks (8.5 sacks) and helped a team win a national title.
The former five-star longs to return to being that player, but he knows it starts with affecting teammates around him in a positive manner.
Davis took on a leadership role in the spring and having young guys around has served as a reminder for him to take everything seriously.
He has worked with Brian Baker – Alabama’s defensive line coach — to become a better inside pass rusher and according to Nick Saban, he expects the senior to have a really good year if he continues the pace he is on.
“Raekwon has had a great camp,” Saban said of Davis. “He has really played well.”
In a room that was one littered with talent veterans, including Jonathan Allen, Da’Ron Payne and Dalvin Tomlinson, Davis stands as the lone big-name senior on the defensive line.
“He’s taken on a leadership role in that room,” Saban said.
“I think that started with him setting a great example in terms of the effort he has played with, the intensity he has played with, controlling his emotions and he’s got good knowledge and experience of what to do and how to do it and he’s really played well.”
With his teammate and defensive captain, Dylan Moses (knee) out for the season, Davis takes it upon himself to make sure he does not have a repeat of 2018. He totaled just 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks a season ago, but this time it is expected to see him at his full potential.
This is now his money year.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
