Notre Dame Captain Avery Davis: 'Trust the process'
March 19, 2016.
Cedar Hill (Texas) quarterback Avery Davis committed to Notre Dame while on a Junior Day visit.
A lot has changed since that day.
Notre Dame finished the video board and stadium expansion. The Fighting Irish have turned back into an annual playoff contender.
Davis has played quarterback, running back, receiver, cornerback and now has been named captain.
It would have been easy for the Texas native to give in to adversity and perhaps even unfair decisions by the coaching staff, but Davis didn't.
"It comes down to resilience and perseverance," Davis stated. "I went through some things growing up, but quitting wasn't really an option. When I got here, I definitely didn't expect it to go the way it did."
No player expects to switch positions, much less change positions every few months.
Davis will be the first to admit it wasn't sunshine and rainbows as there were some dark days.
"I took it and went with it," explained Davis. "After my junior year spring game, when I was playing defensive back, I was really frustrated and didn't know what to do. I didn't know if I should leave or stay, but I had a long prayer and I decided to take every day by itself. Treat every day like it's the only day to get better.
"Two years later, here I am. It's crazy how it all worked out."
Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has seen Davis go from his quarterback room to his captain role and couldn't be prouder of the man he's become.
"I can't say this enough: I love Avery Davis," Rees said. "You want to talk about a resilient young man, has never complained once and he has done everything this program has asked of him. He was in my room four years ago. That kid, whatever he needs for the rest of his life, he's got an ally. That kid is an unbelievable young man.
"To see his career go the way that it has, to make plays in the biggest game of the year last year, to earn the respect of his teammates where they're voting him captain, just speaks volumes about the type of person he is. I could go on and on about A.D. He is a steady presence for these guys, day in and day out."
The captain role was a no-brainer on many levels as Davis earned the respect of his teammates for sticking with the process and as a playmaker.
Davis is a big reason why Notre Dame defeated then No. 1 Clemson last November and it's led to him branching out to become comfortable as a leader.
"Until last year, when I could prove myself, I felt I didn't have a voice," Davis explained. "We come here to play football, so in the locker room, I'm friends with everyone on the team. There's always camaraderie there, but I felt like on the field, I didn't really prove myself in my own head.
"In my mind, I felt I wasn't there yet to be a captain and I didn't have a voice because I didn't establish my presence on the field, establish myself as someone they can depend on inside those lines."
Well, Davis has thoroughly established himself as he heads into 2021 and he'll be counted on to help new starting quarterback Jack Coan.
"Jack came in every day and he's working," stated Davis. "He's not afraid to say something if it's not the way he wants it. The biggest thing is he's the same guy every day. I really appreciate that. There aren't any highs or lows.
"He's kind of like me, where he's very even-keeled. He's ready for the moment. I've never seen him shook or nervous. He's ready to go at all times."
Davis also has advice for those who might be in a similar situation.
"Trust the process," said Davis. "I feel like this new generation is instant gratification. You really want something and they're coming in and they want to play immediately. They don't want to be developed and you see a lot of people transfer.
"If you just stay down and trust the process and buy into what we're doing here. Buy into the traits and you really work hard, then in the end, it's even greater. You're working towards something and in the end, when it pays off, you feel better than if you were stepping into a role that was handed to you from the jump."