StatTiger 3,188 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Stephen Davis is perhaps the most underutilized “established player” in the history of Auburn football. He was the #1 rated high school player coming out of South Carolina, drawing comparisons to Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson. His size and speed was the reasoning for the comparison to the prior All-Americans and winners of the Heisman Trophy. He was the backup to James Bostic during the 1993 season and became a two-year starter to finish out his collegiate career. 1994 was a good year for the big back, but his senior saw his role limited as Coach Terry Bowden was transitioning his offense to more of a 4-WR offense in the shotgun. He had less than 200 carries during 1995 but still managed to score 17 touchdowns and rush for over 1000-yards. It would have been interesting to see Davis playing under Pat Dye, who signed Davis to attend Auburn. I imagine he would have been extremely productive under Tuberville, Chizik, and Malzahn. He made the most of his opportunity at Auburn and was later drafted in the 4th round by the Washington Redskins. He finished an 11-year NFL career with over 8000 yards rushing, becoming the most successful running back from Auburn, regarding his productivity on the field as a Pro. It was nearly 25 years ago that Davis graced the field at Auburn. For those who did not see him play at Auburn, I hope this video does him justice. https://youtu.be/-t24J_43yHw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aubiefifty 16,488 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 once again thanx for all you do. i saw this on youtube the other night. you gonna be a big star........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,969 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 I was not a huge fan back then. Can’t argue the numbers or the nfl success. He had excellent vision as the highlight shows. If he had a crease he could see it and maneuver through it. But on 3 rd and 2 when you need a bulldozer or a quit smash into the hole his style looked defeated. To those who didn’t watch him live(seeing all his carries) this video is probably on par with Bo Jackson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 21 minutes ago, alexava said: I was not a huge fan back then. Can’t argue the numbers or the nfl success. He had excellent vision as the highlight shows. If he had a crease he could see it and maneuver through it. But on 3 rd and 2 when you need a bulldozer or a quit smash into the hole his style looked defeated. To those who didn’t watch him live(seeing all his carries) this video is probably on par with Bo Jackson. Agree. Ran straight up and down and was susceptible to ankle tackles. Basically the exact opposite of Tre Mason. But that's the only negative I've got. A damned good back by any measure and a great guy as far as I know. I'll always be thankful he came to Auburn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homersapien 11,226 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Some pretty good blocking in those plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
augolf1716 21,037 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 I can not recall Davis ever having a fumble but I'm sure he did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUApostle 7,633 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 great vision and footwork, very quick the hole, but not overly physical and didn't attack tacklers leaving himself vulnerable...probably why he had a decent NFL career length as RB1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredst 9,064 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 Criminally underutilized his senior year, IMO ( heck, really his whole career). That size and speed......next thing you knew we had Markeith Cooper, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,969 Posted May 22, 2019 Share Posted May 22, 2019 1 hour ago, fredst said: Criminally underutilized his senior year, IMO ( heck, really his whole career). That size and speed......next thing you knew we had Markeith Cooper, lol After Davis we had a bad run of RBs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StatTiger 3,188 Posted May 22, 2019 Author Share Posted May 22, 2019 11 hours ago, alexava said: I was not a huge fan back then. Can’t argue the numbers or the nfl success. He had excellent vision as the highlight shows. If he had a crease he could see it and maneuver through it. But on 3 rd and 2 when you need a bulldozer or a quit smash into the hole his style looked defeated. To those who didn’t watch him live(seeing all his carries) this video is probably on par with Bo Jackson. I saw every one of his carries and was a fan. I never thought he was in the same league as Bo or Herschel but how many have been? Marcus Dupree perhaps. Stephen was a very good player and he made the most of his opportunities on the field. He did not reach his full potential until a few years in the NFL. Had he been more serious about conditioning while in college, he likely would have been faster. With that being said, he was very good for Auburn and his numbers would have been better had he been a consistent 20-25 carries back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredst 9,064 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 1 hour ago, alexava said: After Davis we had a bad run of RBs. Tot trying to find the next Warrick Dunn like Daddy just killed us, smh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StatTiger 3,188 Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 58 minutes ago, fredst said: Tot trying to find the next Warrick Dunn like Daddy just killed us, smh During Bowden’s time at Auburn, not one of his RB’s signed ever rushed for over 500 yards in one season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auburn2Eugene 2,317 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Man i remember his last season... I always felt Like tater tot would run him half the game and sit him the 2nd half of games... I always hated Bowden even after 93 because of how he played (or didn't play) Davis... I still to this day swear he cost Auburn another Heisman with how he managed Davis his last season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
autigeremt 6,504 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 He ran over me in a preseason jamboree one year in high school. I got him back later but here’s the thing.....he was a frosh and I was a senior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auburn2Eugene 2,317 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Thats how you can tell if someone was around during those days... They get the tater tot reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,969 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Spurrier agreed with me. He traded him as soon as he got to Washington. He didn’t like his running style either. Dumped DCraig too. I’ll never forget that espn clip at practice when Westbrook beat the bejesus out of him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredst 9,064 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 36 minutes ago, alexava said: Spurrier agreed with me. He traded him as soon as he got to Washington. He didn’t like his running style either. Dumped DCraig too. I’ll never forget that espn clip at practice when Westbrook beat the bejesus out of him. Nah, Spurrier was still ticked off about us (with Davis a key player) whipping that a** in “The Swamp” in ‘94, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigger1985 778 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Bozo Bowden cost us the game against Penn State. We were running all over them but he wanted to throw the ball in the rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexava 6,969 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 43 minutes ago, Tigger1985 said: Bozo Bowden cost us the game against Penn State. We were running all over them but he wanted to throw the ball in the rain. Davis went out with a concussion in that one, didn’t he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 17 hours ago, homersapien said: Some pretty good blocking in those plays. So true..........one of the best offensive lines in college football.....solid tight tight end play........very balanced team on both sides of the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 10 hours ago, alexava said: Spurrier agreed with me. He traded him as soon as he got to Washington. He didn’t like his running style either. Dumped DCraig too. I’ll never forget that espn clip at practice when Westbrook beat the bejesus out of him. Broke his nose or jaw if I remeber correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU64 10,122 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 I recall that it was a common complaint (including from SD) that he was being underutilized. He was a big back for his day and just watching the videoclips, he appeared to be able to deliver a lick....and hit a hole quickly..... I'm not sure but seems that he upright style was more common back then....thinking back to how Bo and Hershel ran the ball. ....don't recall it to be as common to lower the head at point of attack....which might have helped in seeing and hitting the openings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 13 hours ago, alexava said: After Davis we had a bad run of RBs. If I remember correctly Fred Beasley had a nice career in NFL despite being under utilized........Harold Morrow as well.......pretty sure Morrow was a tot recruit.........Auburn had decent backs that were under utilized with little or no depth....Kevin McLeoud..........doing by memory and google search may proove me wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredst 9,064 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 8 hours ago, alexava said: Davis went out with a concussion in that one, didn’t he? Yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevon67 2,368 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, AU64 said: I recall that it was a common complaint (including from SD) that he was being underutilized. He was a big back for his day and just watching the videoclips, he appeared to be able to deliver a lick....and hit a hole quickly..... I'm not sure but seems that he upright style was more common back then....thinking back to how Bo and Hershel ran the ball. ....don't recall it to be as common to lower the head at point of attack....which might have helped in seeing and hitting the openings. I thought he sprained his knee eary in his final season........just going by memory and my memory is comparable to lotus.......dang near useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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