There was a time not too long ago when Malik Davis was the Gators’ best offensive player.
As a freshman in 2017, he led the team in rushing through seven games with 526 yards on 79 carries (6.7 yards per carry). He was on pace to hit the 1,000-yard milestone. He eclipsed 90 rushing yards in five consecutive games at one point, highlighted by 124 yards and two touchdowns against Vanderbilt.
That all seems like ancient history now. He suffered a season-ending torn ACL against Georgia that season. After spending the entire offseason rehabbing the knee and earning the trust of a new coaching staff, he broke his foot in the third game of the 2018 season and missed the remainder of the campaign.
Davis recovered in time to play in 12 games in 2019, but something just seemed off with him. He didn’t have that extra gear or that lightning-quick cutting ability that endeared him to fans as a freshman. Whether the issue was primarily physical or mental, he struggled to the tune of just 2.5 yards per carry.
He played a little bit better in 2020 and averaged 4.7 yards on his 66 carries. He also caught 31 passes for 377 yards. But it still felt like there was something left in the tank that he just couldn’t tap into.
Running backs coach Greg Knox believes that will change this season. Though he wasn’t around to watch him in-person in 2017, he thinks Davis is back.
“He’s been very, very confident in his ability again,” Knox said. “I think it’s kind of what you’ve seen his freshman year when he was here and he played and he was very explosive. I think he’s getting back to that, and I think he’s back there now. He’s having a great camp so far. He’s doing well, and we’re seeing that explosiveness that he showed when he was a freshman.
“He is really dynamic through the hole, and he’s hitting it with speed, and you can see the confidence factor that he has right now when he’s hitting holes. Not only just his versatility but his ability to run powerful, break tackles or make you miss.”
Davis agrees with his coach’s assessment and said his increased confidence comes from having more film to watch now. He feels more prepared now that his injuries are further behind him.
“I think the main thing is just getting reps and being able to watch yourself and coach yourself,” Davis said. “When you’re sitting out, you’re injured, you’re not able to critique yourself and say what you would have did here, what you would have done there because you don’t have any reps to look at. So, I think being able to just look at myself and coach myself is the biggest thing.”
If Davis indeed is back to his old self, it will be a welcomed development for a Gators offense in search of new playmakers following the departures of Kyle Trask, Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney.
The competition for carries is stiff. Dameon Pierce is the returning starter, and he figures to receive the most carries again this season. Nay’Quan Wright emerged as a dependable and versatile playmaker in 2020. Lorenzo Lingard and Demarkcus Bowman have enough speed to turn the smallest of creases into 60-yard touchdowns.
Davis, though, will still have a role because of his experience and versatility. Just ask Georgia coach Kirby Smart about the matchup issues Davis presents defenses in the passing game. He torched the Bulldogs for 100 yards on five catches last season. Rumor has it that he’s still running wide open on a wheel route down UF’s sideline.
Davis could split time between running back and slot receiver this season to take advantage of his explosiveness and get as much speed on the field as possible.
Davis said he made a commitment to become a more multi-dimensional player from the moment he stepped foot on campus.
“I think, just coming in as a freshman and then learning and seeing that the game of football is changing, even at the next level, that’s what’s required from running backs, so I just took it upon myself to just work on [receiving],” he said. “That’s something that I take pride in just working on because it’s needed, and it definitely helps.
“It’ll definitely enhance my talents more just by me being more versatile and showing things, showing that I can do more than just run the ball. I definitely think it will help my game.”
It’s been a long journey filled with heartache and disappointment, but Davis finally feels like the freshman version of himself again.
And the Gators will be better for it.