RECRUITING: Who Makes The Cut For A. Davis?

Anthony Davis can go to college in 2007 just about anywhere he wants. As Scout.com’s number one rated offensive lineman, he’s got an offer list that seems never-ending. Everybody wants this 6-5, 330-pound dominator of an offensive tackle. Recently he narrowed his list of favorite schools down to a very manageable five. Did the Florida Gators make the cut?

Davis has helped his Piscataway (NJ) team to a 2-0 start by playing outstanding football on both sides of the line. The big guy brings it every play. He already has 19 pancake blocks on offense and 14 tackles and an interception as a defensive tackle.

Piscataway Head Coach Dan Higgins loves the big man and the way he goes about his business on the football field.

“I’d say he’s extremely athletic for his size and he’ll do the little things you don’t normally see big guys do, like chasing kids downfield trying to get second and third blocks,” said Higgins. “Other than his massive size, what separates him is his feet. He’s got incredible feet and he can easily dunk a basketball at 320 pounds. He’s a student of the game and he’s very aware of the technique he has to use. He does more than use his size to push guys around. Anthony is the most complete big player I’ve ever coached.”

Currently Southern Cal and Ohio State are his two leaders, but three others are on the list and he plans on not making a decision until he has visited all of his options. Home state Rutgers will get an official visit as will Florida State and Florida. He had a bit to say about each school.

USC: “I don’t know much about them right now, but I hear a lot of good things. Travel is not really a concern. Mom thinks it is a good thing.”

OHIO STATE: I hear a lot about them from (ex-teammate and OSU cornerback) Malcolm Jenkins, I talk to him about them. It is a good program and a family oriented team. They have a nice coaching staff and the staff is stable.

RUTGERS: “All of the coaches are cool, all the players are cool and I hang out with them a lot. I was there Saturday and the atmosphere was great.”

FLORIDA STATE: “I don’t really know much about them either. I saw them against Miami, but I hoped Miami would have won. Miami is in there, but not in the top five because the coaching staff isn’t too stable.”

FLORIDA: “They are going to win the national championship in the next two years. The talent there is crazy and they have a great coaching staff. I saw them play against Tennessee and they are good.”

“(Offensive Line) Coach Addazio is cool and said I would fit in the program nice and have a chance to play. I can see they aren’t afraid to play true freshmen. I am checking their depth chart and see they are losing their tackles.”

He plans on seeing all of the above schools before the season is out. He wants to take in the game day atmosphere at each.

“I am trying to go to an Ohio State game soon and plan on taking my visits during the season to see the game atmosphere, he said. “I will probably make my decision in January.”

That decision will be based mostly on the following factors according to Davis, “I am looking at the way the academics are set up and the tradition of the school. I want to know about the chemistry of the coaching staff and the players.”

Anthony Davis has all the intangibles big time programs are looking for in their offensive linemen. The Florida Gators are looking for a big tackle to really anchor this recruiting class and Anthony Davis would be one strong candidate.