After Saturday’s close loss to Sam Houston State in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga coach Russ Huesman said defensive tackle Keionta Davis “has a bright future.”
Others have noticed that as well.
He was a top-10 defensive end prospect in the nation – regardless of division – coming into the preseason. He’s been mentioned on a couple of occasions in stories written by Sports Illustrated columnist Peter King.
UTC head football coach Russ Huesman works on the sidelines during the Mocs’ home football game against the Wofford Terriers at Finely Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, in Chattanooga, Tenn.Monday he was invited to participate in the Senior Bowl, becoming the first UTC player to be invited since wide receiver Terrell Owens in 1997.
The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Davis totaled 10.5 sacks this season and was voted Southern Conference defensive player of the year. He had 31 sacks for his career – only two years of which were as a full-time starter – which ranks second all-time in Mocs history to Davis Tull and seventh all-time in SoCon history.
“To come in here on a 6-5 season to being playoff contenders, it was great to be a part of it,” Davis said after Saturday’s loss. “It’s gone by really fast, but I know I have more left and I wish the best for Chattanooga.”
The Red Bank High School graduate was ninth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS. That was the highest ever for a Moc.
Huesman called Davis “a fantastic person.”
“He’s part of a tremendous family, and we are very lucky to have him at Chattanooga,” the coach said. “He has a bright future, and this isn’t his last football game by any stretch of the mind.
“I’m awful proud of him.”
Tiano to transfer to UTC
Former Baylor School quarterback Nick Tiano, who spent the last two seasons at Mississippi State University, announced Monday he would be transferring to UTC.
“I’m very excited to announce that I am going back home to play for The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga! #GoMocs,” he tweeted Monday afternoon.
The 6-4, 231-pound former three-star prospect, who will have three seasons of eligibility remaining, completed the only pass he threw this season. He may end up at another position for the Mocs, possibly tight end.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenleytfp.