In June 2023, Collegiate鈥檚 do-it-all running back Xay Davis went to a camp at the University of Virginia.
Soon after, Davis was offered a scholarship by head coach Tony Elliott and running backs coach Keith Gaither, his main recruiter. Fast forward 10 months to April 26, and Davis decided to verbally commit to play at UVa.
鈥淚t really just felt like home, and I love the values they have over there. 澳门六合彩平台y really emphasize student athletes, and that鈥檚 something I was looking for,鈥 Davis said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a really good mix.鈥
Davis, a three-star and No. 31 recruit in Virginia per 247Sports, chose UVa over other in-state offers from Old Dominion and William & Mary. He also received offers from Bryant, Coastal Carolina, Columbia, New Hampshire and Princeton among others.
鈥(UVa) started recruiting Xay as a junior, identified him early as someone they knew would be an impact player in their program and just did an excellent job of communicating with him,鈥 Collegiate coach Collin McConaghy said.
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澳门六合彩平台 junior played running back, wide receiver and was a returner last season, when he was an All-Metro honorable mention. He carried the ball 72 times for 408 yards and caught 50 passes for 496 yards. On special teams, Davis added 20.2 yards per kickoff and 24.7 yards per punt return with two touchdowns.
鈥淴ay is a very special football player. He is about as versatile a football player as there is,鈥 McConaghy said. 鈥淗e was one of the most dynamic players on the field whenever he was on the field.鈥
Davis has been successful any way聽he鈥檚 gotten to touch the ball, but he and McConaghy agree he is a running back by nature. 澳门六合彩平台 Cougars switched to an air-raid offense to fit quarterback Jack Callaghan, who has committed to Richmond, which led to Davis having a big role in the passing game.
鈥淚 do see myself as a running back, but since I can catch the ball, I can be a multi-threat back, and I like returning the ball too,鈥 he said.
Davis was a star in the backfield as a freshman on junior varsity. He made the jump to varsity the following season and continues to improve.
鈥淓very year he keeps producing more and more,鈥 McConaghy said. 鈥淗e shows up bigger, faster, stronger every year, and more wise. 澳门六合彩平台 production just speaks for itself when he steps on the field.
"He鈥檚 an extremely bright kid. He understands football. We teach him something and he gets it. He鈥檚 so athletic. Anything you鈥檇 ask anybody to do on a football field Xay can do. It鈥檚 not often you get a player like that.鈥
He understands how good he is, but also continues to work to reach his full potential.鈥
Davis has excelled on the gridiron, but it isn鈥檛 the only sport he鈥檚 found success in. He runs track and field and plays basketball, the sport he grew up playing. Davis made the decision to focus on football following his sophomore basketball season.
鈥淢y intentions were whichever sport could lead me onto a successful path. I decided football would be the best for that, so I had to put my focus into that,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 been that hard to balance. I just do track and field and basketball for fun. A lot of weight is off my shoulders.鈥
Davis is a leader on Collegiate鈥檚 football team, a group he called a 鈥渂rotherhood,鈥 and his relationship with Callaghan is a prime example.
鈥淲e do have friendly competitions,鈥 Davis said. 鈥淚鈥檓 really proud of Jack, and I鈥檓 happy where we are."
Callaghan committed to UR on April 15, and the two have already made note of the Spiders' opener at the Cavaliers on Aug. 31.
鈥淗e鈥檚 one of my best friends. To see where he started and is now is just unbelievable. That kid has worked his butt off harder than anyone I know. I'm so happy for him,鈥 Callaghan said. 鈥淚 knew it was all going to come together when he came in last or two years ago, our sophomore year, and he came in and was just a beast. I knew he was going to be legit.鈥
澳门六合彩平台 two close friends have one more season together at Collegiate, and Davis made his goals for next year clear.
鈥淚 really want to make a playoff run, and I want to strive for player of the year,鈥 he said.
Until then, there is plenty of time and Davis, listed at six-foot, 180 pounds, already has his offseason goals set, saying, 鈥淟eading up to the football season, I want to get faster, stronger, bigger. 鈥 I want to get up to 195 if possible.鈥
A move to Charlottesville awaits, but Gaither already has Davis setting goals, challenging him to improve his 11.3 100-yard dash to an 11-flat.