'Late bloomer' walk-on running back Garnett Davis III plans for success in college
When Garnett Davis III went to Mount Pleasant for Central Michigan's homecoming game Oct. 12 against New Mexico State, his recruitment took a positive turn.
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior running from Orchard Lake St. Mary's spoke with director of player personnel Albert Karschnia, running backs coach Cornell Jackson and tight ends coach Tavita Thompson.
Karschnia extended a preferred walk-on offer that day of the homecoming game to Davis, a member of the 2020 recruiting class.
"Jackson and Tavita said they liked me, my body type and just the basic stuff," Davis said.
Other programs told Davis it was "too late" for him as a running back.
The unranked prospect committed to Central Michigan on Dec. 9, but he has not yet signed his national letter of intent.
"I felt like CMU was a great place with a great staff who gave me a chance as a running back when all other schools turned me down," Davis said. "They believed in me from my transition from linebacker to running back."
Davis has the chance to become a solid option at running back for the Chippewas despite his status as a walk-on and only having one offer.
Most coaches, Davis said, told him their team's 2020 recruiting class for the running back position was full.
Instead of becoming a top player at running back for Orchard Lake St. Mary's as a sophomore or junior, Davis didn't blossom at that position until his senior year.
Actually, Davis never played running back until his senior campaign when he went for 1,275 yards on 155 carries.
"I played linebacker before, and that taught me how to be a better running back," Davis said. "I'm definitely a later bloomer."
Central Michigan took notice of Davis' talent as a running back, thus extending a preferred walk-on offer in October after the Eaglets were off to a 6-1 record.
Orchard Lake St. Mary's ended up losing in the Division 3 regional final Nov. 15 against River Rouge, 49-14, and finishing 10-2 overall.
The next game Davis will play is for Central Michigan, and he's more than ready to showcase to newfound talent at running back.
"I know if I give it my all and keep faith, I will be where I'm meant to be," Davis said. "I play to work and give them everything I have."
