LA Valley College DE LaRonzo Davis Talks Commitment to Southern University

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Los Angeles Valley College is off to a 5-1 record to their 2015 season thanks to a balanced effort on offense and defense. The offense is storming through opposing California junior colleges and American Pacific Conference competition scoring an average of 40 points a game having scored 27 points or more in every game this season. The defense is more than doing their part holding the opposition to an average of 20 points a game three times limiting their opponents to 14 points or less.

One of the leaders on the defense holding teams to an average of 265 yards a game is LaRonzo Davis. The Memphis area native has 20 tackles, 5 sacks, and 8 tackles for a loss on the season. The 6’5”, 220 pound, weak-side defensive end has received a lot of recruiting attention from schools like Cal, Louisville, San Diego State, Southern Miss, Mississippi State, Memphis, Arkansas State, Arizona, and Kansas State.

Choosing the known over the unknown, Davis verbally committed to Southern University on Wednesday night with the announcement leaked out on Thursday. In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Davis after a Monarchs practice to get the inside scoop on his verbal commitment.

Interview

LaRonzo, first, congratulations on the verbal commitment.

“Thank you.”

What influenced you to commit to Southern at this point in your recruiting process?

“Southern University is a strong black culture university and a great place for me to continue my academic progress. Receiving a degree from Southern will benefit me well after my college football career. A degree from there will good on my resume.”

How did the commitment take place?

“I called my position coach, Coach (Lorick) Atkinson, and Coach (Chris) Scott (cornerbacks) and gave them my verbal commitment. I spoke with Coach (Dawson) Odums too and they all welcomed me with open arms. I wanted to give them my commitment, I know it’s early but I wanted to give them my commitment. I’m excited about going to Southern, I know I’ll see the field early there.”

When did you commit?

“I actually committed last night. I gave them a call last night (Wednesday). It was posted to Twitter today through an inside source.”

Did you plan on keeping it silent for a while?

“Yeah, I’m not sure how it got out but it’s alright.”

You have the phone in your hand, you know the commitment you are about to make. Where you nervous before you called the Southern coaches?

“I was because it’s early still. I just – I’ve never been through this before. I talked to a lot of people around me about the decision. I was told you can call them, commit, and they’ll embrace you. I did, and they made me feel very wanted. They made me feel good about the whole situation.”

Will you be a midterm enrollee?

“Yes.”

Do you still plan to take official visits until you sign your letter of intent?

“Yes, I do.”

Do you have an idea where else you may take official visits?

“Right now, Kansas State and Louisville are showing interest, and Arkansas State. Potentially those three universities. I’m guaranteed five official visits. I have not used one yet.”

When will you officially visit Southern?

“In December.”

When you were evaluating the different schools as potential landing spots, what was the most important thing or things for you that you considered?

“A good academic school and a good athletic situation.”

Switching gears, how has the season gone for you so far?

“Everything is going wonderful. We are 5-1, 3-0 conference, and we have a big game against Santa Monica on Saturday. They are No. 1 and we are No.2.”

How are things going for you on the field?

“Everything is going very well for me. I have 5.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, about 20 tackles, and 8 tackles for a loss. The team is doing good and I’m doing well. I could not ask for anything else.”

LaRonzo, again, congratulations on your commitment to Southern and good luck against Santa Monica on Saturday.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; LaRonzo Davis before a LA Valley College practice.