Around 1 p.m. on Saturday, NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will step to the podium and say, “With the sixth pick in the draft, the San Francisco 49ers take Vernon Davis of Maryland.”
To be honest, I could have told you the Dunbar High star would be a first-rounder three years ago. After spending 10 years at Redskin Park for a crosstown paper, I went to College Park to cover the Terrapins at the same time Davis arrived in 2003. And on the first day — and I’m not kidding — I called my friends back at Redskins Park and told them Maryland had a freshman tight end better than anything the Redskins were playing.
Davis was that good.
Indeed, Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen didn’t think twice about redshirting Davis because he admitted the tight end wasn’t going to stay at Maryland four years. He might as well get the most out of him while Davis was there.
Frankly, the Terps never got the most out of Davis. Friedgen’s offense is just too balanced. It was enough to get Davis noticed as one of the top college tight ends and an invite to the NFL Combine.
Just wait until they see Vernon run in Indianapolis, the folks around Maryland said. They were right as Davis stunned everyone with a combination of size and strength that shot him up to the top of the draft.
It’s not surprising. Davis spent two years in near death duels with defensive end Shawne Merriman before the latter went in the first round last season and became the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. They mostly fought to a draw in daily blocking drills, which is pretty good for Davis given Merriman’s success. But whenever Merriman beat Davis, everyone stood back because the two of them were going to go at it again no matter whose turn was next. And many times, Davis won the rematches.
Davis spent the last four months in Arizona working out with players headed for the draft. During a recent return to Maryland, there was a big difference in Davis’ demeanor. He carried the swagger of a pro player. There was just that aura of confidence as well as a chiseled body.
Fortunately, Davis remains the same great kid he has been. That’s not easy when everybody around you suddenly thinks they can tap into that NFL money. Davis might see a $10 million signing bonus and there will be plenty of gladhanders ready to help spend it.
“I definitely found a new set of friends,” Davis said. “Every time I come home there’s guys that want to hang out. You’ve got family that wants to come see you. It gets crazy. I’m prepared for it. I knew what would come my way when I made the decision to leave.”
Davis didn’t truly consider leaving Maryland until November when the Terps finished 5-6 for the second straight season. There didn’t seem like anything left for him to accomplish and Friedgen doesn’t blame first-rounders for leaving. Still, it was hard because Davis truly enjoyed College Park.
Using NFL-speak to say he just wants to play anyway, Davis is anxious to move along. San Francisco seems the best fit among the top 10 selections, but Denver has been thinking of a way to move up to get Davis.
“I don’t sleep that good,” he said. “I get excited. I just can’t wait for that day to come so I know where I’m going.”
While Davis sits in the New York crowd for a short stroll to the podium for pictures, former teammate D’Qwell Jackson will watch from Florida with family. The middle linebacker is probably a second-rounder after leading the ACC in tackles the last two seasons.
“I could go anywhere from late 20s to early second [round],” he said. “I’m an inbetween. It’s not who’s the best players, but who fits best into their system, but second isn’t bad and third isn’t bad. Just to have your name called is what I’m hoping for.”
Draft day is for dreams. Maryland is about to have two more fulfill theirs.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
