Detroit Loyola has fielded a lot of interest in junior linemen Malik McDowell and Ka'John Armstrong, but there is a third junior lineman at the school the coaches say is quietly putting together a big year and is beginning to draw college attention as well in 6'2, 270-lb Chris Davis.
"He's having a great year," head coach John Callahan said. "He is probably, with all the attention that Malik and Ka'John are getting, I'd say day in and day out, my hardest worker. His engine goes from beginning to end. That's the kind of kid he is. You've got nothing on me and I'm going to show you I'm just as good."
That mentality and the amount of talent Loyola has up front has lead to some spirited battles in practice.
"Our line drills are scary when we start doing some hitting drills because it's such a competition between Malik, Ka'John, Davis, [Jkwan] Edwards, and each one makes the other one better. It's no secret how well our O-Line and D-Line gets off, but also how competitive they all are. They all hang out together. They're together all the time, but when they put the pads on and it's time to go one on one, there's no friendship there. They get after it."
Because of what he's done this year, colleges are beginning to ask more and more about Davis.
"He's getting mail almost every other day now. Indiana, he's starting to get letters from them and a couple from MAC schools. Indiana has shown the most interest."
Edwards, the team's center, at 6'1, 270-lbs, is another player Callahan says deserves a stronger look from colleges.
"He has an opportunity. He's our center, and he's the only senior out of the group and he's a great kid with a great attitude. It's so hard because try to tell schools. They know about Malik, Ka'John and Davis and I say I've got another one, and they're like, come on Coach, it's Division 7, how good can this kid be. I say, you need to see him play. Come out and watch practice and see him live."
There is little doubt that coaches will take him up on that offer over the next few years.