02-13-2012, 08:59 AM
RUSSELL â University of Charleston football head coach Pat Kirkland believes he has a new weapon at tight end.
Russell High senior Justin Davidson signed recently with the NCAA Division II Golden Eagles.
Davidson earned offensive MVP honors for the East team at last monthâs Max Emfinger All-American Bowl in Baton Rouge, La. He made three receptions, including a touchdown grab with 20 seconds remaining to pull his team within 21-20.
Kirkland was hired at UC last summer and has replaced the triple-option from the old regime with a pro-style, spread attack that regularly uses a tight end.
âWeâre real excited about Justin,â Kirkland said of the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder. âHe brings a lot to the table. After meeting him, I was impressed with his football knowledge and intelligence. He has an opportunity to come in and get a lot of playing time.â
An All-Area and honorable mention All-State selection on defense, Davidson led Russell in tackles but didnât get many pass-catching opportunities in the Red Devilsâ Wing-T. He did, however, garner some attention as a tight end on the camp circuit.
Davidson worked with former NFL All-Pro receiver Wes Chandler over the summer after meeting him at a Football University Top Gun All-Star camp in Nashville.
âHe came down and worked me out,â Davidson said. âHe helped me with drills and taught me a ton of stuff about receiving and route running. You can learn a lot from somebody thatâs been a four-time Pro Bowler. It was a great experience.â
Chandler, who starred in college at Florida, was hired last month by California as wide receivers coach. Davidson visited the Pac-12 school.
âThat was a totally different world,â Davidson said. âI didnât know about playing time, how that was going to be. (Chandler) said to do what was best for me.â
For a while, Davidson planned to attend Eastern Kentucky. Charleston came into the picture late. Davidson said one of his main reasons for choosing UC, a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, is that he wants to be on the field right away.
âI know I am going to play my first year,â he said. âI have a good shot at starting there.â
Davidson, who keeps a 3.5 grade point average, said his full tuition will be covered at Charleston. Another plus for Charleston is that his girlfriend, Russell grad Kelsey Hensley, is a freshman tennis player there. She helped lead the Golden Eagles to the WVIAC championship in her first season.
UCâs football team finished 5-6 last season after a slow start.
âI like their coaches better than anywhere I looked at,â Davidson said. âIâm excited to go in, play hard and make a name for myself.â
Davidson is a big fan of New England Patriotsâ Rob Gronkowski, who set an NFL record for tight ends this season with his 17 TD receptions.
âHeâs my hero,â Davidson said. âI love that guy.â
Russell High senior Justin Davidson signed recently with the NCAA Division II Golden Eagles.
Davidson earned offensive MVP honors for the East team at last monthâs Max Emfinger All-American Bowl in Baton Rouge, La. He made three receptions, including a touchdown grab with 20 seconds remaining to pull his team within 21-20.
Kirkland was hired at UC last summer and has replaced the triple-option from the old regime with a pro-style, spread attack that regularly uses a tight end.
âWeâre real excited about Justin,â Kirkland said of the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder. âHe brings a lot to the table. After meeting him, I was impressed with his football knowledge and intelligence. He has an opportunity to come in and get a lot of playing time.â
An All-Area and honorable mention All-State selection on defense, Davidson led Russell in tackles but didnât get many pass-catching opportunities in the Red Devilsâ Wing-T. He did, however, garner some attention as a tight end on the camp circuit.
Davidson worked with former NFL All-Pro receiver Wes Chandler over the summer after meeting him at a Football University Top Gun All-Star camp in Nashville.
âHe came down and worked me out,â Davidson said. âHe helped me with drills and taught me a ton of stuff about receiving and route running. You can learn a lot from somebody thatâs been a four-time Pro Bowler. It was a great experience.â
Chandler, who starred in college at Florida, was hired last month by California as wide receivers coach. Davidson visited the Pac-12 school.
âThat was a totally different world,â Davidson said. âI didnât know about playing time, how that was going to be. (Chandler) said to do what was best for me.â
For a while, Davidson planned to attend Eastern Kentucky. Charleston came into the picture late. Davidson said one of his main reasons for choosing UC, a member of the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, is that he wants to be on the field right away.
âI know I am going to play my first year,â he said. âI have a good shot at starting there.â
Davidson, who keeps a 3.5 grade point average, said his full tuition will be covered at Charleston. Another plus for Charleston is that his girlfriend, Russell grad Kelsey Hensley, is a freshman tennis player there. She helped lead the Golden Eagles to the WVIAC championship in her first season.
UCâs football team finished 5-6 last season after a slow start.
âI like their coaches better than anywhere I looked at,â Davidson said. âIâm excited to go in, play hard and make a name for myself.â
Davidson is a big fan of New England Patriotsâ Rob Gronkowski, who set an NFL record for tight ends this season with his 17 TD receptions.
âHeâs my hero,â Davidson said. âI love that guy.â