July 19, 2005
by Jared Gelfond, Illinois Sports Information
For most college students, the summer months fly by and before you know it the days of relaxation, sun and fun are over and you are heading back to school for the fall. But don't tell that to senior fullback Jason Davis.
The summer of 2005 has been a little different for the Illinois football team. The players have been working to adjust to a new coaching staff, a new offensive scheme and changes in their day-to-day schedules. With new strength coach Lou Hernandez at the helm, there is no question one of the major adjustments has been in the weight room.
"We go harder and we go faster," said Davis, who is part of the `Breakfast Club' group that starts working out at either 6 or 7 a.m. four days a week. "Everything is moving at a fast pace because that is how the offense is going to be with the no-huddle and everything like that. We feel really good about the weight program."
As the monotonous days pass and Camp Rantoul gets closer and closer, Davis and his teammates can't wait to get on the field for a fresh start.
"The new staff is anxious to get in there and show us what they can do, and we are anxious to get there and show them what we can do," said Davis, who rushed for 230 yards and caught 41 passes for 340 yards last season as a junior. "It isn't like the spring where we practice one day and then are off for a few. We go everyday together for 2-3 weeks, so everybody is going to be pumped up and ready.
In this exclusive interview with Fightingillini.com's Jared Gelfond, Davis discusses the new weight program, the new coaching staff, the younger players to look out for this season and much, more more.
Jared Gelfond's take on Davis:
In his first three seasons in the Orange and Blue, Davis has certainly lived up to the high standards set by his fullback predecessors, Jameel Cook and Carey Davis. And of the three fullbacks, he might very well be the best pass-catcher of the group. Last season Davis was second on the team with 41 receptions, and I expect that the new staff will recognize his receiving ability and look to throw him the ball a lot out of the backfield this season.
If anyone had any questions as to the toughness and tackle-breaking ability of Davis, you have to look no further than his 28-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter against Purdue last season when he broke tackle after tackle to get into the end zone.
With a crowded backfield of E.B. Halsey, Marcus Mason, Pierre Thomas and freshman Rashad Mendenhall, it will be a true test for the new staff to find ways to get Jason Davis the football this season. But it's something they are going to need to find a way to do, because Davis proved last year that every time he touches the ball good things seem to happen.
