South Carolina running back Mike Davis hinted this week that his decision on whether to turn pro early might already have been made. But to whatever extent the 5-foot-9, 220-pound junior is still uncertain, he's carefully selecting the people he'll listen to for advice.
NFL people, Davis said, will have his ear more than "other folks," but so will his older brother.
And there is little doubt what James Davis' recommendation will be to his younger brother.
James Davis was a standout rusher at Clemson who declared early eligibility as a junior, only to change his mind and withdraw his application for the 2008 NFL Draft within the 72-hour window allotted to prospects after the declaration deadline. But a shoulder injury imperiled the start of Davis' senior year at Clemson off, and he fell to the sixth round the next year, when he was chosen by the Cleveland Browns.
"He's been a big factor in a lot of things, a lot of decisions I made," Mike Davis said, according to The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C. "And of course, him coming back his senior year ended up hurting his draft status, or whatever. So of course, I'm talking to my brother."
James Davis' NFL career was a very short one, and injuries played a role.
The younger Davis has been hampered by minor injuries this season, but hasn't missed a game. With 875 yards on the season and up to three games remaining, if the Gamecocks make a bowl, Davis could approach his 2013 yardage total of 1,183 yards. But it will take a big performance against rival Clemson -- his brother's former squad -- to get there.
College Football 24/7 rated Davis the No. 19 talent in the game during the preseason. Davis has until mid-January to decide whether to enter the 2015 draft.
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