How to play running back? Stephen Davis Jr. gets advice from his dad

Stephen Davis Jr. has spent much of the this month in an unfamiliar position – on the sideline.

The Dutch Fork senior didn’t play in any of the team’s scrimmages after having wrist surgery last month. Davis sustained the injury during the Southeastern 7-on-7 Championship in Dalton, Ga., on July 12 and had surgery on July 28. He wore a cast for two weeks and returned to practice last week.

Davis will be in the starting lineup when the Silver Foxes face Greenwood on Friday as part of the Battle on the Bluff at River Bluff High School.

“I’m just ready to get back on the field and start playing,” Davis Jr. said Tuesday following practice. “I didn’t know when I was going to come back. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be the first game or not. I learned a lot being out these last few weeks. I found out you need to take every play like it is your last.”

Davis’ return is welcome for the Silver Foxes, who have had their share of injuries in the preseason. The 6-foot-4, 207-pound safety solidifies the Dutch Fork defense and is expected to have a bigger role on offense this season.

Dutch Fork coach Tom Knotts said he plans to use his senior in a variety of ways as the team tries to replace the numbers put up by last year’s Mr. Football, Matt Colburn. Davis played some last season at running back. He averaged 19.5 yards per carry and scored three times on eight rushing attempts.

“He is going to be a defensive player in college. We know that. I don’t want to do him a disservice just to help Dutch Fork,” Knotts said. “But there are some things that he can do and we are going to utilize all of his abilities.”

Knotts has questioned Davis’ work ethic and love for the game at times during his career. The two have met, and Knotts said he has been pleased with what he saw in the offseason.

“We hammered to him and he had a strong summer for us until he got hurt at the end,” Knotts said. “He has to work to be a grinder and somebody that has to love it year round. But he is young and has a chance to get that.”

Davis said he has worked on his offensive skills in the offseason and is looking forward to becoming a weapon. If he needs any tips on carrying the ball, he can lean on his father and former Carolina Panthers running back Stephen Davis Sr. for advice.

“My dad tells me to run behind my pads and just stay with my blockers,” Davis said. “I just need to use my blockers, hit the hole and burst off my speed.”

Davis said he and his father watch film together and the two critique his mistakes. That is one of the advantages of having a father who played in the NFL.

There are, however, drawbacks. Davis says he gets recognized more when he is out in public with his father and also has to deal with the expectations people have placed on him early his career. He has lived to the billing and is the top college prospect in the Midlands, according to most recruiting services.

Davis is the No. 3 prospect in South Carolina, according to 247Sports. He was invited to the prestigious “Opening” last month in Oregon, which featured the top seniors across the country and was televised on ESPNU.

Davis committed to Auburn, his father’s alma mater, and said he remains 70 percent to the Tigers but still plans to take his official visits in the fall. He will visit Auburn for the Alabama game and Florida State when it plays Miami. The senior also plans to visit Clemson and doesn’t plan to enroll early.

“You only get this chance one time and I want to experience the high school senior life,” Davis said.