Gamecocks RB Mike Davis to walk with seniors, likely NFL early entry
South Carolina junior running back Mike Davis will take part in Saturday’s Senior Day ceremony against South Alabama, a decision often reserved for underclassmen with intentions on entering the NFL Draft after the season.
It comes as no surprise for Davis who has mentioned several times he’s interested in turning pro. Based on the latest projections from NFLDraftScout, the 5-foot-9, 225-pounder is rated the sixth-best draft eligible ballcarrier (out of 182) and could be selected as early as the second round.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier encourages his players to make decisions on what’s best for them as individuals. Davis will likely submit his name to the draft advisory board after the season to get a feel for his placement.
Last season, a record 107 underclassmen declared and 45 went undrafted.
Spurrier asked if Mike Davis is going to leave at the end of the season. “I think before the season he was thinking about that. …
— GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) November 18, 2014
… You’ll have to ask him about that.” Spurrier doesn’t try to talk players into staying bc it wouldn’t be right if they got hurt. — GamecockCentral.com (@GamecockCentral) November 18, 2014
Spurrier on jrs leaving: “I never try to talk a guy into staying because if he suffered an injury it would be bad on the coaches. #Gamecocks
— Willie Smith (@willie_t_smith) November 18, 2014
The chances of Davis staying for his senior season are slim after what’s expected to be his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. The shelf-life for NFL running backs is short and Davis’ decision to test professional waters comes a few days after Georgia’s Todd Gurley tore a ligament in his knee. South Carolina’s last early entrant at the position, Marcus Lattimore, recently announced his retirement from the San Francisco 49ers before playing a single down due to multiple knee injuries and the excruciating recovery process.
A lil some me and all the boys planned on doing as we score a touchdown
A photo posted by Mike Davis (@mike28davis) on
