The Iowa Stater

1997 February

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The Iowa Stater
February, 1997

Troy NFL-bound

Troy Davis has decided to make a run for the NFL.

he all-America tailback announced Dec. 19 that he will forego his senior season at Iowa State and make himself eligible for this spring's National Football League draft.

"It was a very difficult decision but I feel it is in the best interest of my family," Davis said. "The great relationship I have with Coach (Dan) McCarney made this a tougher decision."

As an NFL player, Davis is expected to receive a salary of at least a few hundred thousand dollars, plus a signing bonus.

Davis' announcement came less than a week after he finished a close second to Florida's Danny Wuerffel in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Heisman is the most prestigious individual award in collegiate football. (Davis earned 1,174 Heisman votes to Wuerffel's 1,363.)

The 5-foot-8, 185-pound Davis became the first NCAA Division I runner to gain 2,000 yards twice and is the all-time NCAA two- season rushing leader with 4,195 yards. His 2,185 yards this season was the third-best total ever in major college football. In 1995, Davis gained 2,010 yards and finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

Davis led the nation this year in rushing with 198.6 yards per game and all-purpose running (rushing, receiving and kick returning) with 214.9 yards per contest. Davis also was the nation's second-leading scorer. Against Missouri, he rushed for a school-record 378 yards, the third-highest total in Division I history.

Despite carrying the ball nearly 750 times the last two seasons, Davis never missed a play due to injury. In fact, ISU coaches can't recall Davis even missing a play in practice. The yardage, touchdowns and awards only tell half of the Troy Davis story. ISU's best football player also was the team's hardest worker and probably the most-liked member of the squad.

Everybody loves Troy

"Everybody on the team loved Troy Davis," said Tom Kroeschell, director of athletic media relations. "If I could describe Troy in one word, it would be 'quiet.' If I could in two words, they would be 'without guile.' He's straightforward, without ulterior motives."

This was evident at media day prior to Davis' sophomore season. When asked about his goal, he simply and honestly told reporters it was to win the Heisman Trophy.

Another Davis trait was accommodating the public and the news media. He always was willing to sign autographs or answer reporters' questions. But as his fame grew, so did the requests for his time. Kroeschell said during the last two months of the football season, Davis could only fulfill half of the interview requests.

"Everywhere he went, people wanted to talk to him," said Kroeschell, who accompanied Davis to New York City and the Heisman Trophy activities both years. "He could have spent all of his free time doing interviews.

"Kroeschell said Davis has done so much for Iowa State that no one can fault his decision to leave school. McCarney said he and Davis have a personal bond that will last a lifetime.

"No one has done a better job on a daily basis as an ambassador for Iowa State football than Troy Davis," McCarney said. "Everywhere Troy has traveled, he has brought honor to Iowa State University. The opportunity to coach him every day for two seasons was a true blessing."

Davis said he enjoyed his Iowa State career and vows to return to campus.

"I want to thank my team-mates and the whole Iowa State community. They have made my experience in Ames one to cherish the rest of my life.

"Our fans have been great to us. That's why I'll be back to watch Darren (his brother, who is expected to be the Cyclones' new tailback) at ISU next season. I'll be back to Iowa State to earn my degree. That is a promise."

-- Steve Jones, News Service

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