For seven games in 2017, running back Malik Davis was one of the only bright spots on an abysmal Florida Gators offense.
After five games of rushing for more than 90 yards, including an outstanding 124-yard performance against Vanderbilt as a freshman, he had finally earned a starting role heading into the last part of the season. Then, it all came to an untimely and abrupt end.
After making a catch in the first half of the Georgia game, Davis landed awkwardly. It turned out that landing resulted in one of the most dreaded injuries in sports—a torn ACL.
“I knew something was wrong,” Davis said. “It just felt different than normal. I’ve sprained my knee before. It just felt different … I didn’t know right away. I actually ran off the field. Then when I got on the sidelines, it started swelling up a little bit.”
He had to watch from the sidelines as the Gators stumbled through the final games of the season. It hurt him to see them struggle and know that he could make a difference, but there was nothing he could do about it.
While Davis wished he could be out there, he tried to keep a positive mindset for himself, but most importantly, for his teammates.
“I was down, but I didn’t really show my teammates that,” he said. “When they came around, they talked to me about it, I told them I’ll be back soon. I stayed on top of rehab and treatment. That’s just how I went with it.”
He certainly approached his rehab the right way, and that helped him on the road to a quick return.
In many cases, it can be a year or more before athletes fully recover from an ACL tear, and sometimes they never get back to where they were pre-injury. Davis said he has felt 100 percent since the start of fall camp, just nine months later.
Once he got back out and started making cuts and taking hits again, he felt like he hadn’t missed a beat. His teammates have even been surprised with the strides he’s made in such a short time.
He gave all the credit to Florida’s staff members who helped him throughout rehab.
“Coming back strong,” Davis said. “We’ve got some of the best strength and conditioning coaches and equipment people. They’ve just been helping me out, making sure I come back strong. I have a big support system around me … They’ve been making sure I stay on top of my treatment and everything. It’s been going well.”
Davis would have easily been Florida’s leading rusher a year ago had he not suffered a season-ending injury. Now that he is back, he is just another weapon in what is arguably the deepest position group on the team.
He is dealing with a minor ankle injury right now, but is expected to be good to go in time for the start of the season. When that day comes, he will have just one thing on his mind.
“I’m just imagining running out in front of 90,000 people and winning,” Davis said. “That’s all I’m thinking about–winning.”