By Sanders Reed
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. – Growing up in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Auburn wide receiver Ryan Davis knew he loved football at a young age. His father introduced him to it when he was just four years old, and he's been playing ever since.
In high school as a quarterback, Davis led Lakewood High School to back-to-back 10-win seasons. As a senior, he threw for 2,140 yards, rushed for 1,233 yards and scored 35 combined touchdowns. The converted wide receiver still holds the Pinellas County career passing record with 6,760 yards through the air.
Davis first visited Auburn in January of his senior year, and he quickly fell in love with the family atmosphere that Auburn provided.
"I wanted to come to a school that challenged me athletically and academically," Davis said. "I wanted to come and compete against the best competition because I believe that the SEC is the most competitive conference. Auburn has this family atmosphere that is hard to describe, but everyone just loves everyone here and they're all so supportive."
Last season, as a junior, Davis broke Auburn's single-season receptions record with 84 catches for 815 yards, topping the previous record of 60 set by Darvin Adams in 2009. Already considered one of the best returning receivers at Auburn and in the SEC after his record-setting performance, Davis has high expectations for his upcoming senior season.
"Personally, I want to be the best receiver in the country and win the Biletnikoff Award," Davis said. "I want my team to win the SEC championship and the national championship."
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound former quarterback has come a long way since his freshman year when he played sparingly for the Tigers. Even then, he knew that his time was coming and continued to be patient and work hard through it all. His first start came the next season against Clemson, and he finished that sophomore year with 25 catches for 194 yards.
By the end of his junior season, Davis had more than made a name for himself on and off the field at Auburn. His recipe for success?
"Believing in myself and trusting the process," Davis said. "When I was a freshman I didn't get the type of playing time I wanted and that was frustrating for me. I had to trust my coaches, trust the process, and keep my head down and continue to work hard. The success I've had didn't come overnight. It happened as a result of hard work and determination to be the best receiver I can be."
Now a senior and one of the leaders on offense, Davis preaches that same advice to some of his younger teammates.
The Florida native will graduate in December with a degree in communication and after that, he hopes to turn his dream of playing in the NFL a reality. He believes that his time at Auburn has helped prepare him for life after college.
"Being a student-athlete is not easy," Davis said. "I have to hold myself accountable for school, football, studying, and maintaining a social life. I've learned to prioritize what's important in my life and how to manage my time wisely."
After going through the offseason conditioning program and then straight into fall camp, Davis hasn't really thought about the fact that he's a senior now. Admittedly, it's still a little surreal to him. But as he reflects on his career, he's grateful for everything Auburn has given him.
"Auburn has helped shape me into the person I am today and will always have a very special place in my heart," Davis said.
Sanders Reed is a student assistant in Auburn athletics communications.