Central Michigan University Athletics
Big Weekend Ahead for CMU's Titus Davis
4/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
Sometime in the next three days, Titus Davis' life will change forever.
Davis, one of the very best wide receivers ever to play at Central Michigan, is expected to be selected this weekend in the NFL Draft in Chicago.
The seven-round draft begins Thursday night and continues through Friday and concludes on Saturday. Davis is projected as a mid-round pick, meaning that, if he is selected, he will likely be chosen on Saturday.
Davis is hoping to follow in the footsteps of recent CMU draftees Eric Fisher and Antonio Brown, both of whom went from Mount Pleasant to NFL stardom. Fisher was the first overall pick in 2013, Brown went in the sixth round in 2010 and has since established himself as one of the very best in the game.
"It's a blessing to have the opportunity to get drafted and be listed among those names," Davis said earlier this week from his home in Wheaton, Ill., about 30 miles west of Chicago. "It just goes to show not only me, but other people that people from the MAC can play at the next level and be dominant. Given the opportunity I hope I can show what I can do."
Davis holds CMU records for career receiving yardage (3,700) and touchdown receptions (37). His final game in a Chippewa uniform was a six-catch, 142-yard, four-TD effort in the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl. His four TD receptions are both a CMU record and a Football Bowl Subdivision record.
"It would mean everything to me," Davis said of the possibility of being drafted. "Obviously as a kid you dream of that moment, hearing your name called, and as it gets closer I realize how blessed I am. It's just a blessing to be where I am and seeing where I came from."
Davis was injured early during his senior season and missed three full games. Still, his numbers -- 60 catches for 980 yards, a 16.3 yards-per-catch average -- were very good as he earned All-Mid-American Conference honors for the fourth time in his career.
He participated in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis in late February, and was clocked at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
"I'm 100 percent healthy," Davis said. "I've been working out, strengthening my hamstrings and quads. That was the main problem through the combine. Now everything's good. Working on route running and traditional type of stuff."
Davis' combine 40 time, considered the gold standard when evaluating receivers, was decent. And while he has always possessed good speed, that has never been his calling card. He has drawn high marks for his route running, hands, football IQ and leaping ability.
"Hard worker, someone that's going to bring everything every day to practice and to the game," Davis said when asked to provide a self-scouting report. "A football player. Tough, hardnosed receiver that you don't really get nowadays. I really pride myself on that.
"Knowing how to get open in the league, that's a big thing. You can run a 4.3 (40-yard dash) or be the biggest guy, but you're not guaranteed to be open. I think I bring that. I know I do that just as well as anyone else in this draft."
Davis worked out during his Pro Day at CMU with former Chippewa quarterback Dan LeFevour, who is now playing in the Canadian Football League.
"We had some time to talk," Davis said. "The main thing that I've been getting out of it is just working hard and as soon as you get the opportunity you've got to take full advantage of it.
"And taking care of your body. It's a very demanding job and you have to take care of your body and Dan was really on me about taking care of my body."
Davis isn't the only former Chippewa who looks to this weekend with hopeful eyes. Defensive lineman Leterrius Walton and running back Thomas Rawls, both of whom were seniors last fall, could also hear their names called.
Walton participated in the combine and was labeled an "ascending player," which bodes well. He earned praise for his athleticism, quickness and discipline to defensive game plans.
Rawls, who was not invited to the combine, proved himself one of the best backs in the MAC in his one and only season at CMU after transferring from Michigan. In just nine games, he rushed for 1,103 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
Whether or not any of the three is drafted this weekend, all will almost surely receive free agent invitations to an NFL training camp, perhaps following in the footsteps of another former CMU standout, Zurlon Tipton.
Tipton went undrafted in 2014 but caught on with the Indianapolis Colts as a free agent. He worked his way onto the team's active roster and eventually scored his first NFL rushing touchdown in the AFC championship game, a 45-7 loss to the New England Patriots.
"It's been a long ride," Davis said. "I'm excited to see where Central people end up, whether they're drafted or not. We have people who can play at the next level."
