Interview: Tough 2020 Summit RB Jesse Davis is Adding Slot Role to Gridiron Repertoire

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

One can guess that opposing defenses were quick to underestimate Jesse Davis once the ball was set on Friday nights during the 2018 high school football season. But once the ball was snapped, easy to also guess that those same defenders felt foolish for wrongly gauging Davis’ abilities. The 5-7, 143-pound, back rushed for an estimated 900 yards on the ground with eight scores going up on the board. With a change in the Skyhawks offense in 2019, from a Wing-T to the Spread, Davis is also making a change heading to the slot for his senior year with the occasional touches out of the backfield. The move seems like a natural fit for a player who has laid down a 10.87 in the 100 meters and takes to the field like a downhill runner with great field vision.

In an RNG exclusive, I sat down with one of the tougher runners in the Sunkist League

Interview

Jesse, the 2018 season turned out to be a big one for you in the Skyhawks offense. Looking back, how do you feel the season went for you personally?

“We had big expectations for the season, but it did not play out the way we wanted. We had success and failures. We have a lot of work to improve upon. For me, I think I did well. It was my first year on varsity. I had a lot to prove. I feel I proved that I have a lot of heart, and I’m not stopping putting in all the hard work.”

Defenses have trouble stopping your team’s option attack. What do you guys call the offense – a wishbone or triple option?

“We call it at Wing-T.”

My next guess. How are you utilized within the offense?

“I am utilized at the halfback position, or in the wing on special packages. We had a lot of outside plays. The goal is to get to the perimeter to make plays. We have inside runs we use to chew out yards; we get a lot of five-yard runs on the inside plays.”

Your speed and how quickly you get up to a next gear are impressive features to your game. What is the fastest timed run you’ve put down?

“I run track. My fastest time in the 100 is a 10.87. My fastest 40-yard dahs is a 4.5. I also ran the 200 in 21.87.”

In addition to your speed, you run hard and fight through first contact. What do you feel are some of the other strong attributes to your game?

“Some may not notice it, but my field vision. I think that is good. I notice what the defense is doing and react to it quickly.”

Will your role on the team change at all during the 2019 season?

“This year we are changing up the offense. We are going to the Spread. We do have wing plays that we will still run. In the Spread, I will be in the slot. Every now and again I will rotate in at back and do some ground and pound from there.”

Are you excited about showcasing your skills in the slot?

“If it helps out the team, I am willing to do it.”

What have you been working on this offseason?

“This offseason, I have been working on getting my speed up. I want to improve on that. I am getting my weight up, working on my footwork and my agility – faster feet. I am working on my routes and hands. I have a QB coach that I work with on my catching. I wear socks over my hands to improve my hands when I work with him.”

Did you play 7v7 ball this spring for a travel team?

“Yes. I played with TTGOG.”

How did that help improve your game?

“That helped by showing me the talent in other areas. I got to see the different skill levels throughout California. It was great seeing different coverages. That helped with my route running, noticing where the teammates are, and I played some defense too.”

Are you going to play defense in 2019 with Summit?

“I might go in here and there if someone needs a breather at corner.”

Are you going to any camps this summer?

“Yes. I am going to camps at Redlands, Arizona State, and Northern Arizona.”

Going into the camp circuit, which schools are showing interest?

“I am receiving interest from Arizona State, Northern Arizona, and Redlands.”

Nice. Have you taken any unofficial visits this offseason?

“Yes. I took one to San Diego State and to UCLA.”

How did the San Diego State camp go?

“It was cool. I got to see the players, talk to the coaches, saw the locker room, and I saw how the program worked. It was a cool environment.”

What about UCLA, how did that go?

“That was great. UCLA has a nice campus and nice coaches. I saw their practice facility and their plans for their future. The coaches were cool. They have a lot to provide the student-athletes at UCLA.”

Do you have any planned visits coming up aside from the camps?

“I might go to UC-Davis.”

Last couple of questions. What inspires you to give your all to the game of football?

“What inspires me? My parents. They have been there for me. They are my No. 1 supporters. I want to give back to them. My family is what inspires me.”

If your teammates were asked to give one word that would describe you, what word do you think they would pick?

“They’d pick ‘hardworking’.”

Jesse, it was great conducting the interview today and learning more about your skills. Thanks for your time and good luck with the upcoming camps.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Davis family; Jesse Davis at UCLA and SDSU