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Chris Davis Jr. Growing in Faith and Football at Drake University
As discussed in the interview with Chris Davis Jr., it’s likely safe to say the average Joe or Jill doesn’t know where the private, non-profit institution that is Drake University is located. While hoops has always been one of the Bulldogs claims to fame in sports, Davis Jr. is hopeful he can be a part of something special with Drake University football and teach people from our region about this great institution.
“It’s great. I’m loving it out here,” said the former WPIAL standout about Drake and living in the Midwest. “There’s a lot of great people and it’s a lot of fun.”
Accepting a redshirt in his first season with the program, his growth this fall has been exponential as he’s gone from his usual spot of wide-receiver to cornerback. While it might be intimidating for some to be stranded out on an island in coverage, the Canonsburg native possesses the confidence, though quiet, to get the job done both on the outside and as the occasional run stopper.
“The guys here on the defense are like my brothers. It’s a true brotherhood. Our job is to create turnovers and play with some attitude and swagger to make sure people know we are confident all the time. First and foremost, you have to trust your teammates and the people that are out there around you. You also have to be ready to always make a play and go full speed with no hesitation.”
Aside from the instincts and fearlessnesses, players have to be equipped with the right technique and knowledge to be successful when they hit the field. In just a few months, Davis Jr. is already feeling a lot better about this mostly new position and what’s to come in spring ball. Having not played a regular football game since his senior year of high school, he’s ready to show the Pioneer Football League and those on the coaching staff exactly what he can do in live game action.
Aside from heading to Drake to play football, he also chose this institution to experience a new setting and area of the country. The distance from home has been something he’s not struggled with like many first-year college students. Additionally, Drake’s a top rated business school, making his marketing degree in a few years a valuable one to hold.
While he’s found his new home, it was not always easy to get to this long. Dealing with a shortened season in his junior year, a peak time for recruiting, is certainly not easy to overcome. He always was not someone who was ready to play high school football at a high level early in his high school days. However, Coach Mike Evans, the Head Football Coach for Canon-McMillan invested his time into him to help him become the player he needed to be to reach the college ranks.
Off the field, it’s been his faith in God, the love from his church community at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and his family that have helped keep him grounded and focused on all the important things in life, including his opportunities on the gridiron now and past on the track as a former WPIAL hurdle champion.
A dream of his since middle school to be a college football player is finally being realized. While it has not quite everything he’s hoped so far, his patience in his first year as a Drake Bulldog will one day pay off, just like it did when the Big Macs came together in 2020 to beat WPIAL foe, Mt. Lebanon, one of the top memories from his football career to date.
Over the next four and a half years, Chris Davis Jr. hopes that he can bring back to Des Moines a lot more wins, including a Pioneer Football League title and a spot in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs. Good luck as you continue your college career, Chris!
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