Interview: 2017 California 5-Star Recruit Wyatt Davis Stepping Out in Year of the Offensive Tackle

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

From this day forward, let the following statement ring true, the 2017 recruiting class is The Year of the Offensive Tackle!

If the following statement is not true, it certainly seems accurate. As recruiting rankings go on 247Sports, seven of the Top 25 players in the nation are offensive tackles. That means if the wealth is spread around evenly, which is hardly ever the case, but if it is, seven different teams will get a potential All-Conference and/or All-American caliber lineman. The list is impressive with Josh Myers (Ohio State), Calvin Ashley (Auburn), Foster Sarell (uncommitted), Austin Jackson (uncommitted), Isaiah Wilson (uncommitted), Tedarrell Slaton (uncommitted), and Wyatt Davis (uncommitted).

Ranking one offensive tackle over the other seems a coin flip affair with each player having the height, weight, strength, and raw talent to dominate their opposition. Guys like Ashley and Slaton play in tough divisions in Florida, ditto with Jackson coming out of North Canyon in Phoenix, but with all due respect to each, none of them play in the Trinity League like Wyatt Davis does.

In a previous interview with Mater Dei 2017 outside linebacker Fa’avae Fa’avae, call it a bias if you want but the list of top 2016 players signing with out of the Trinity League was put forth showing just how tough the competition is game in and game out. The list for the 2017 class, before the 2016 season even begins is also overwhelming. Mater Dei, in addition to Fa’avae, has WR Osiris St. Brown, CB Jalen Cole, DB Quentin Lake, and up-and-coming safety Xavier Bell. Orange Lutheran has DB Brandon McKinney, TE Erik Van Der Goes and Austin Liles, QB Michael Noble, and RB Dominik Austin. Servite has QB Tyler Lytle and DB Keith Taylor and Santa Margarita has OL Brett Neilon and ATH Grant Calcaterra. The list will be added to and more could be added now, but hopefully the point gets across.

The other thing Davis may have going for him over the competition, success on the field. Over the last three years, St. John Bosco has been as dominate of a team out there on par with Bishop Gorman (Nevada), Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), St. Thomas Aquinas (Florida), and Allen High School (Texas). In 2013, Bosco went 16-0 capturing a state and national title. In 2014 they went 12-2 making a run to the California state title game losing a tight 48-41 contest against another powerhouse, Centennial. The 2015 season was much the same going 13-1 meeting Centennial once again in Angel Stadium in a wild 62-52 defeat.

Regardless of which team plays against the best competition here or there, or which player is better than the other, Davis without exception is among the best of the best in the 2017 class. The 6’4”, 315 pound, talent can grind it out in the run game and can pass block with the best of them sliding and kicking into position setting up the blindside part of the pocket where defensive ends get lost game after game like it is the Bermuda Triangle.

College coaches are sold on Davis from sea to shining sea. In total, the Los Angeles area talent has 22 scholarship offers coming from schools like USC, UCLA, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stanford, Michigan, Ole Miss, Notre Dame, LSU, Arizona, Alabama, Florida, Arizona State, Cal, Missouri, Tennessee, and Texas A&M.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the highly sought after talent to get a rundown on his offseason schedule, his offseason workouts, and picked up a recruiting news update.

Interview

Wyatt, before we start talking about the camps, recruiting, and workouts I have to ask you about playing in Angel Stadium. You’ve been able to do it in back-to-back seasons. It is a place where no other football teams get to play unless you are in the championship game at the high school level. What is that experience like?

“It was something I will remember for the rest of my life. It was very cool for me personally. The 2015 season was my second time to start and play in Angel stadium. Not many people get that opportunity. It did not end the way we wanted but it was a great experience. Pretty special.”

The Braves are losing a lot of Class of 2016 starting talent, especially at the skill positions on offense. Quarterback Quentin Davis (3,612 yards 40 TDs), running back Sean McGrew (1,852 yards, 27 TDs), and wide receivers Jared Harrell (48/912/11) and Devin Flemming (53/1,009/13). Who will be the next great Bosco playmakers on offense?

“Man, we have a lot. At wide receiver we have Terrell Bynum, Berkeley Holeman, and Kristian Gilbert. I don’t want to leave anyone out – and Jovohn Tucker. So many guys. Our offensive line will be pretty good. We will have a new center and new right tackle replacing Joe Murphy. Quarterback wise, Real Mitchell got a lot of varsity experience last year, he’ll do well.

“At running back, we should be pretty explosive. Real is a 4.5 guy, Terrence Beasley is a 4.4 – 4.5 guy. This 2018 kid, Demetrious Flowers, he is 6-2, 220, and runs hard. It’ll be fun to see what all we can do with all that talent. Defensively we are bringing pretty much everyone back. A lot of our defensive backs are returning and we are getting a transfer from Upland, Jaiden Woodbey. I think he has four offers.”

You’ve been a two-year starter with Bosco playing against some top competition in that nation. What are your strengths on the field that have allowed you to dominate the way that you do?

“One of my strengths is my athleticism. I can move on pass sets. I’d say my aggressiveness and getting after guys on run blocking along with experience are my strengths as well.”

We covered your strengths, but looking back on last season, how well did you play in your opinion?

“There was a lot of stuff I did well but I could have done better. I still have a lot to work on. I had a good season but I did not meet all my expectations.”

What individual honors did you earn at the end of your junior season?

“I was the Los Angeles Times Offensive Lineman of the Year, a Max Preps All-American, All-State, All-CIF, All-Trinity League, Trinity League Offensive lineman MVP, and an U.S. Army All-American.”

Impressive. I know you are locked in at tackle, but might we see you on the other side of the ball next season? Maybe at defensive tackle?

“I don’t think so. Maybe they might throw me in on goal line. They did it with Damien Mama (USC), but he was so big (6-5, 360-plus).”

You mentioned you have a lot of things you want to work on, what are some of the things you are working on in the offseason?

“I’m playing basketball for Bosco, we’re in the playoffs. I like playing basketball. It helps my quickness and that athleticism and it cuts down the bad weight. So far in the offseason, I’ve been playing basketball and lifting. I’ve been working a little on technique on the weekends. I just came from a workout today.”

You strike me as a two-guard camping out behind the arc drilling three-pointers all day.

(Laughs!) “No, that’s not me. I’m more the enforcer. I get rebounds, play good defense, and post up on offense.”

Are you starting?

“No, but I play starter’s minutes. I come off the bench early, after the first couple of minutes. I’d say I play as much as a starter.”

Do you know your stat line on the hardwood?

“No. I don’t really know. I’d say maybe eight rebounds a game and two to four points a game. I’m primarily blocking shots and rebounding.”

Have you dunked on anyone yet this year?

“No. I’m not trying to do that. If I miss – I will get pulled out of the game immediately. I’m not the tallest guy on the court and that might not end well if I try.”

But you can dunk right?

“Yeah I can. Most people don’t believe me when I tell them that I can, but I can. I had never tried until this year. One day I tried, dunked it, hung on the rim, and almost brought down the rim. Scared me for a minute.”

You’re a big guy, lucky you did not bring down the whole backboard.

(Laughs) “Yeah, you’re right.”

Alright, back to football. Are you going to any camps coming up?

“I’m going to the Nike and Rivals camps. I’m not going to any college camps this summer. I’m going to stay focused on my senior season this summer.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 23.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“I’m getting interest from Michigan State, Georgia, and a little from Auburn.”

You have offers from all over. Does playing in one conference over another excite you?

“It does not matter where the school is at as long as the school is a good fit for me. I’ll go wherever. Location does not matter to me.”

You have the size and ability to play on the inside or on the outside. Which position would you rather play at the next level, guard or tackle?

“It is interesting, a lot of the schools have been saying they would try me at tackle then go to guard if needed. Other schools are coming out telling me we want you to be an inside guy. Every school has their own thing. It does not matter to me. I want to come in and help the team anyway I can.”

Did you take any unofficial visits during the 2015 season?

“Yes. I went to a lot of Cal games, my brother plays at Cal (DT David Davis). I went to USC, UCLA, and Stanford as well.”

Was there anything eye opening about the college game day visits for you?

“Definitely. The SEC and the Big Ten schools, their fan bases are ridiculous. The SEC, I’m sure for every game their games are sold out. It is a different culture from Pac-12 schools. Fans from each school follow me, it gets pretty wild on Twitter.”

I bet. Are there a couple of school that are recruiting you a little bit harder than the rest out of the schools that have offered?

“I would say every school has been recruiting me the same, all recruiting me hard. They are all the same in that regard for the most part.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“Yeah, a lot. I got back from Alabama for their Elite Junior Day. That was a couple of weeks ago. I’ll be at a bunch of schools coming up. I’m checking out USC and UCLA – they are a given. Stanford, Cal, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Florida, Ole Miss, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Nebraska. Oh, and Arizona and Arizona State.”

Wow. Get your frequent flyer miles lined up.

“Yeah.”

Let’s backtrack a tad. How did your visit to Alabama go?

“It was a great experience. We flew in – getting there right after winning a national championship was amazing. I went down there last year, but it was different then. Everything was still – a bunch of people walking around talking about Alabama football. Down there they know the recruits. This year after the national championship, it seemed like the fans became livelier. Tons of people talking Alabama football. Right when we got there, we immediately sat down with Coach Saban. That was a heck of an experience. We met with Coach Mario Cristobal too (offensive line coach), that was a great experience.”

Have you taken any other unofficial visits?

“I’ve been to Florida, Miami, UCF (Central Florida), and I’ve been to Arizona but that was before all the recruiting stuff took off. I went to a game there.”

How was your trip to Gainesville?

“It was great. I’ve had a great time at all the schools. I can’t wait to go to some of the out of state games this fall.”

Have you started putting together a list of your favorites yet?

“No. No top teams or official visit lists have been made.”

Do you have an idea when you will make your verbal commitment?

“I’ll more than likely make it sometime after the season. I’m thinking about doing it on National Signing Day.”

When you watch college football, are there any linemen you like watching play the game?

“Yes. I like watching Cam Robinson (Alabama), Josh Garnett (Stanford), and Laremy Tunsil (Ole Miss).”

How is everything going in the classroom?

“This past semester I had a 3.4. I have a 3.3 cumulative GPA.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“No, not yet. I’m taking the ACT coming up in April and the Sat in May.”

Last question. Have you started thinking about what you want to major in once in college?

“Yes. I want to major in broadcasting and communications.”

Wyatt, it was great talking to you today and getting caught up on all the offseason workout details and recruiting news. Good luck with all of your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Wyatt Davis on the field.

Photo credit: latimes.com; No. 76 Wyatt Davis looks for a defender at the second level.

Photo credit: Davis family; Wyatt at Alabama.