Marion native Andrew Davis wrapping up career with Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — It's still a little weird for Andrew Davis to suit up against the Hawkeyes.

Maybe less weird this year than last year, but the Illinois senior tight end admitted after Saturday's 28-0 Iowa win that it is a little different playing the team he grew up rooting for.

Davis graduated from Marion High School in 2012, and while he was growing up in Eastern Iowa, was a Hawkeyes fan like most everyone else he grew up with. Going into Kinnick Stadium last year, and welcoming the Hawkeyes into Memorial Stadium this year, then, meant texts and calls from some old friends.

'It was a little weirder last year, playing them for the first time,' Davis said through a grin. 'I had a couple friends say they saw me on TV or that they came to see me play (last year). It's cool to see people from back home and talk to them.

'It was really weird going into Kinnick (last year). I had been to a couple games, so it's weird being a fan and then being an opponent. But you're on a team and you've got to play for your teammates.'

Davis' allegiances changed pretty quickly, though, when the Illini recruited him out of Iowa Western Community College.

Davis filled a hybrid-back role for the Indians under then-head coach Tony Perkins. He finished his two-year varsity career with 353 yards rushing and five touchdowns and nine catches for 178 yards and two more scores. He wasn't highly recruited coming out of high school, so the 6-foot-6, 230-pound tight end had to make something of himself the hard way.

He took notice from Illinois initially, and stuck with them, he said, even after getting offers from Texas and Bowling Green, as well as interest from Louisville and Miami (Ohio).

Davis has been through two coaching changes — he was recruited by current Iowa State recruiting coordinator Alex Golesh under Tim Beckman, played last year under Bill Cubit and now for Lovie Smith. Davis has seen the locker room come together, even through struggles, and believes in Smith's vision.

'I was underrecruited in high school and wanted to create an opportunity for myself, so I went the JUCO route. I went there and worked really hard,' Davis said. 'Illinois believed in me first, so I trusted in them and bought into the program from the start. I grew up a Big Ten fan, and I really wanted to play there.

'I just think this coaching staff has the confidence, and I have a feeling things will turn around here soon.'

Davis hasn't been the star tight end at Illinois, but he said Saturday he's gotten a lot out of his time in Champaign.

He has eight career catches for 52 yards and one touchdown. His career best day came last season, catching three passes for 16 yards against North Carolina, and he got his lone career touchdown last season at Minnesota.

Davis caught one pass for nine yards on Saturday against his childhood team in his final game suiting up at Memorial Stadium. He and the Illini have one more shot at finishing the season on a high note next week at Northwestern.

As much as he wants to go out with a win, Davis admitted he'd love to add one more individual success to his time as a college football player. It was a long road from Marion to Champaign, and he'd love for the ride to end the best way possible.

'I came here and made an impact and was a part of a brotherhood. Those are all things I wanted and definitely got at Illinois,' Davis said. 'I'd love to get another touchdown and get another win. I just want to finish strong and put the program in a positive note going forward.'

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