Andre Davis didn’t originally intend to break nearly every major USF receiving record, but he did just that.
At 6-foot-1, the senior wide receiver currently holds 12 USF receiving records, including being the school’s all-time leader in receptions, reception yards and touchdowns. And to think, he almost went to Florida State University.
As a child, Davis learned to play multiple sports. He learned to catch the football with his hands at six-years-old from playing catch with his father. A few years later, Davis was ready for organized football at age 10.
“It kinda made me feel like I actually loved football, but I just love sports period, being able to play sports,” Davis said. “Football was the first sport that I started playing, then it was basketball, and then baseball.”
While attending Jefferson High School in Tampa, Davis received the nickname “Freakshow” after making a one-handed catch in a game during his sophomore year.
“It just stuck, ’cause I kept making plays like that,” Davis said.
He recorded 3,158 yards and 40 touchdowns while at Jefferson, which helped him be named a three-time all-state selection. Those numbers propelled Davis into the spotlight of the college recruiting circuit.
The Tampa native always knew he’d play college within the state of Florida, but had trouble deciding between the Seminoles and the Bulls. Davis elected to stay local because of the “family atmosphere” the Bulls showed. It reminded him that he wanted to stay close to his own family. It provided the chance for his family and friends to watch him play under the lights at Raymond James Stadium.
“I’m a big mama’s boy,” Davis said. “For Mama to be able to come see the games, along with Dad and my little sister and my uncles and my aunts and other family members, that played a big part into why I’m here.”
But his family and friends have not just seen him play, they’ve watched him take control of games, scoring game-winning touchdowns.
On Oct. 18 against Tulsa, Davis outran a defender and scored on a go-ahead 85-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Mike White. Davis finished the game with three touchdown receptions, tying the school record. The play also tied the school’s longest pass play record.
Davis compared the touchdown to a game-winning 56-yarder he caught against Nevada back in 2012. In the game, Davis had 12 receptions for 191 yards, both USF single-game records.
When off the field and away from football, Davis said he likes to give back by helping younger kids, after growing up watching his mother as a teacher. During his summers he often spends time down at the Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex, near his old high school.
“That’s where I grew up and I love being around kids…” Davis said. “Being a role model for them, I feel like I actually had an opportunity to help kids.”
Knowing kids look up to him, Davis has made it a point to stay out of trouble during his years in college. He said in his downtime he likes to play video games (NBA2k and Madden), go to the movies and listen to some of his favorite rap artists (Yo Gotti, Young Thug and “older” Lil’ Wayne).
With his senior year coming to a close, Davis has been forced to think of life beyond USF. He hopes to play in the NFL and said he wouldn’t mind staying in Tampa again.
“The Bucs are my team,” Davis said. “But I’m open to playing for anybody. Just to have the opportunity to play, it’ll be nice.”
According to NFLDraftScout.com, Davis is ranked as the 33rd best wide receiver in college football. But before he runs to the pros, he has one last game to play at home on Nov. 28 against an in-state rival, UCF. “Freakshow” said beating UCF was one of the team’s biggest goals for the season.
“It’s the last home game at Ray Jay, as a Bull, so there will be some feelings involved,” Davis said. “I’m definitely going to miss it, being that it’s my last game, I’m definitely going to cherish it and try to make it my best one.”
