Harper isn’t Clemson’s only award candidate

By Marc Hudgens  |   Monday, July 21, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Clemson Tigers
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Because of the way he easily exceeded expectations last season, Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper has deservedly become the toast of Tigertown. As a junior last season, the first-year quarterback was supposed to be quickly overthrown by top recruit Willy Korn. Instead, he broke scads of school records.

But it seems another standout player, as far as award candidacy, has fallen under Harper’s shadow; namely, senior running back James Davis.

Everyone knows how utterly dangerous the Atlanta, Ga., native is with the football; after all, Davis has been the Tigers’ leading rusher each season during his three-year career, breaking the 1,000-yard mark twice.

It’s not out of the question for Davis, who has 3,130 career ground yards, to exceed 4,000 by season’s end.

On the other hand, it will be difficult for Davis to get enough opportunities now that he shares time with Harper, not to mention fellow back C.J. Spiller. Just glancing at the recent numbers of Heisman Trophy-winning backs over the years (USC’s Reggie Bush, Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne and Texas’ Ricky Williams, for instance), it appears a runner will need at least 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns to get serious consideration. If Davis comes near that, he will catch the eye of award voters and will garner all kinds of attention from NFL scouts after this season.

Davis is poised for a huge, glorious career finale at Clemson, with many believing he will be the school’s best-ever running back. If he accrues the yards and touchdowns, and if the Tigers win the ACC crown, Davis should earn a lot of votes as he races toward Heisman, Maxwell, Walter Camp and Doak Walker honors.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He...
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