MLB: Buster Davis, FSU

[Merk]

http://img.gamespot.com/gamespot/images/2006/features/ncaa25/seminoles_screen.jpg

Height / Weight:
5-10 / 240

Official Bio: (http://seminoles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/davis_buster00.html)

At Florida State: An All-America candidate at linebacker who enters his senior season as the team's top returning tackler and unquestionable leader of the defense...has started 24 consecutive games for the Seminoles dating back to 2004 and will again open the season as the starter in the middle of coordinator Mickey Andrews' defense...was given the defense's Leadership Award by the coaching staff at the conclusion of the 2006 spring practice after being the only senior to fully participate on defense.

Junior Year (2005): Set career-highs for tackles, tackles for loss and sacks as a member of one of the most feared linebacking corps in the nation...tied for seventh in the ACC and finished second on the team with 91 total tackles...placed fourth on the defense with 38 solo stops...career-high 10.5 tackles for loss were tops among linebackers and were good for third-best on the team behind defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (11) and All-American noseguard Brodrick Bunkley (25)...had at least one tackle for loss in nine games...recorded double-digit tackles in six different games including four of the last five...led the defense in tackles in the final four games of the season (Clemson, Florida, Virginia Tech, Penn State)....career-high 13 stops came against NC State...had sacks in back-to-back games in wins over Boston College and Syracuse...tied with safety Pat Watkins for a team-high ten tackles in the season finale Orange Bowl against Penn State.

Sophomore Year (2004): Totaled 60 tackles on the season which ranked fourth on the team...recorded 11 tackles in FSU's win over North Carolina...had at least one tackle for loss in seven games...had a big game coming off the bench at Miami with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, a QB hurry and a pass break-up...credited with four tackles and a half tackle for loss in the Gator Bowl win over West Virginia...was named the most improved linebacker in the spring.

Freshman Year (2003): Saw limited playing time as a reserve at linebacker...backed up Allen Augustin and Sam McGrew at middle linebacker...recorded five tackles (four solo) on the season while playing in seven games...recorded one tackle in games against UNC, Colorado, Duke, Notre Dame and Clemson.

2002: Redshirted along with most of his signing class.

High School: Regarded as a top 10 linebacker nationally in numerous publications...ranked as the nation's No. 5 linebacker by Rivals100.com ...selected to the PrepStar Dream Team...earned USA Today first team All-American honors...TheInsiders.com ranked Davis as the nation's No. 8 linebacker prospect...ranked ninth-best linebacker in the nation by SchoolSports...ranked in the top 100 players nationally on several lists, including SuperPrep, Student Sports 100, and Tom Lemming's top 100...named to the SuperPrep All-America team...Florida Kids rated Davis as the No. 1 linebacker in Florida... ranked 30th prospect over-all in Florida by Florida Kids...earned a perfect 7.50 rating in Max Emfinger's Top 200...had over 140 tackles as senior...closed out his career with nearly 400 career tackles...recorded 101 solo stops and forced seven fumbles as a junior...selected Florida State over Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee and Syracuse.

Personal: Majoring in social science...born October 20, 1983.

[emo]

the other lb timmons? he is really good, I'm surprised he decided to go back, he could be the first lb off the board

[Merk]

-He is bassically a Ball of Fire
-Very Explosive
-Does a good job sniffing out plays
-Smart
-Very good against the run
-Sideline to sideline player
-Relentless
-Has trouble shedding blocks
-Is only 5'9 and may come in at 5'8 at the combine
-Can over pursue sometimes
-To sum him up he is bassically a younger London Fletcher. He would be best used in a defensive system w/ 2 big DT's in front of him to keep blockers off him.

[Merk]

the other lb timmons? he is really good, I'm surprised he decided to go back, he could be the first lb off the board


I think he surprised everyone



I thought for sure he would come out w/ how bleek its looking for FSU

[Merk]

At Florida State: An All-America candidate at linebacker who enters his senior season as the team's top returning tackler and unquestionable leader of the defense...has started 24 consecutive games for the Seminoles dating back to 2004 and will again open the season as the starter in the middle of coordinator Mickey Andrews' defense...was given the defense's Leadership Award by the coaching staff at the conclusion of the 2006 spring practice after being the only senior to fully participate on defense.

Junior Year (2005): Set career-highs for tackles, tackles for loss and sacks as a member of one of the most feared linebacking corps in the nation...tied for seventh in the ACC and finished second on the team with 91 total tackles...placed fourth on the defense with 38 solo stops...career-high 10.5 tackles for loss were tops among linebackers and were good for third-best on the team behind defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (11) and All-American noseguard Brodrick Bunkley (25)...had at least one tackle for loss in nine games...recorded double-digit tackles in six different games including four of the last five...led the defense in tackles in the final four games of the season (Clemson, Florida, Virginia Tech, Penn State)....career-high 13 stops came against NC State...had sacks in back-to-back games in wins over Boston College and Syracuse...tied with safety Pat Watkins for a team-high ten tackles in the season finale Orange Bowl against Penn State.

Sophomore Year (2004): Totaled 60 tackles on the season which ranked fourth on the team...recorded 11 tackles in FSU's win over North Carolina...had at least one tackle for loss in seven games...had a big game coming off the bench at Miami with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, a QB hurry and a pass break-up...credited with four tackles and a half tackle for loss in the Gator Bowl win over West Virginia...was named the most improved linebacker in the spring.

Freshman Year (2003): Saw limited playing time as a reserve at linebacker...backed up Allen Augustin and Sam McGrew at middle linebacker...recorded five tackles (four solo) on the season while playing in seven games...recorded one tackle in games against UNC, Colorado, Duke, Notre Dame and Clemson.

2002: Redshirted along with most of his signing class.

High School: Regarded as a top 10 linebacker nationally in numerous publications...ranked as the nation's No. 5 linebacker by Rivals100.com ...selected to the PrepStar Dream Team...earned USA Today first team All-American honors...TheInsiders.com ranked Davis as the nation's No. 8 linebacker prospect...ranked ninth-best linebacker in the nation by SchoolSports...ranked in the top 100 players nationally on several lists, including SuperPrep, Student Sports 100, and Tom Lemming's top 100...named to the SuperPrep All-America team...Florida Kids rated Davis as the No. 1 linebacker in Florida... ranked 30th prospect over-all in Florida by Florida Kids...earned a perfect 7.50 rating in Max Emfinger's Top 200...had over 140 tackles as senior...closed out his career with nearly 400 career tackles...recorded 101 solo stops and forced seven fumbles as a junior...selected Florida State over Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennessee and Syracuse.

Personal: Majoring in social science...born October 20, 1983.

http://seminoles.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/davis_buster00.html

[emo]

I think he surprised everyone



I thought for sure he would come out w/ how bleek its looking for FSU

if he runs faster than poz he'd be a shoe in to be the first lb off the board. I hope he doesn't get hurt, timmons

[Callaway]

I like Buster Davis

[Merk]

Bump


Just randomly bumping players that we havent talked about in a while


Thoughts on him?

[Merk]

Like his passion for the game but I just dont think he is what we are looking for in our LB's right now. The London comparisons I think are spot on.

The only reason I can that the Bills pick him is if they actually like what Fletch brought to the table last year and figured why not let the older version go and pick up the new edition lol

[35Pete]

Jesus Merk. Is that a snapshot off of Madden 2K7 ?

:D

[Merk]

Jesus Merk. Is that a snapshot off of Madden 2K7 ?

:D


lol yea I noticed that


The site must have changed the pic



I'll look for another one later, unless one of you Nole fans knows where there is some good pics of him, post them up

[sdolan11]

I like Buster . . . but based on what our D needs specifically, he's a guy that we couldn't afford to draft high. He's London reincarnated . . . BUT, played at a much higher level of football than London(John Carroll vs. FSU), so I don't think his production can be overlooked.

Bottom line, if we could get him in rounds 5-7 . . . WOW . . .can you imagine this guy on special teams??

However, I see him going in rounds 3-4 . . . watch out for the Phins(London = Zach Thomas = Buster Davis).

[admarc]

Jesus Merk. Is that a snapshot off of Madden 2K7 ?

:D

That was me, we couldn't find a pic when we first put it up so I put that in as a placeholder.

It was either that picture of Buster, or this one:

http://re3.mm-a5.yimg.com/image/3189424280

[emo]

I watched a couple fsu games this year and he stood out. He is an excelletn football player. and if he were 4 inches taller he'd be talked about as the top lb in the draft.

I would have no problem if the bills picked him. I think he is a bit more of an attacking downhill player than fletcher and he seems to be all over the field. If they spent a 3rd on him I wouldn't complain at all

[admarc]

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2006-09/25426938.jpg

[Brandon]

I think he'd be a good pick if the Bills trade down in R2 or with our 74th overall pick. People are going to compare him to London Fletcher because of his size, but I think they're quite a bit different. While Davis does have some of Fletcher's problems with shedding blocks, he' s a much more aggressive player against the run from what I've seen. He may be a little lacking in coverage, but I think he does have enough athleticism to have potential there. Some have compared him to former Saints LB Sam Mills, and I think that might be more appropriate.

[SC FAN]

I would be very excited if we drafted a RB 1st and Davis with our second!!! I have watched him play several times and he has always stood out.

[stepsukie]

Buster is FLAWLESS

[Merk]

Buster is FLAWLESS



Let me guess you were wearing Noles war paint when you wrote that :)

[stepsukie]

Weatherford jersey, but close enough

[Carl J. Ironsides]

http://www.realfootball365.com/nfl/articles/2007/03/nfl-busterdavis-interview220307.html

Judging from this interview I found earlier, it seems like Buster's got a really good head on his shoulders. I don't know if he's that good of a fit for us, but I like him...

The one thing James "Buster" Davis doesn't do is worry.

The ex-Florida State inside linebacker has performed the obligatory workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and his school's pro day, lowering his 40 time to 4.6 and increasing his bench press reps. He demonstrated a more-than-adequate vertical leap, and came across as both football smart and articulate. Game films from a 2006 season the Seminoles as a group would rather forget show him all over the field, leading the team with 109 tackles.

"There's nothing I can do now but wait," Davis told Realfootball365.com earlier this week. "I did everything to the best of my ability. I can't grow two inches taller."

Ah, the H Word -- height. At 5-foot-10, 240 pounds, Davis doesn't quite fit into the NFL mold for his position. (OK, maybe it's more like 5-9½, 235 pounds).

"I don't see where that's ever hurt me," Davis said. "I've done pretty well in pass defense, and that's the only place where height really matters."

As for his speed, considered just average for a linebacker these days, Davis argues, "How can you tell a 4.6 from a 4.5 on game film? I think I do a good job of anticipating plays, figuring out where the ball is going to be. My numbers prove that."

Other smallish linebackers before him have also proven that you don't have to be 6 feet tall to start -- and star -- in the NFL. London Fletcher is the latest, with Sam Mills the most notable before him.

"Just look at Ernie Sims," Davis said.

In 2005, Sims played alongside Davis as an outside linebacker on the Seminole defense. When he left school after his junior year to turn pro, he was listed as 5-11, 230. As a Detroit rookie, he piled up 124 tackles.

"Those combine numbers don't really mean a thing, as far as I'm concerned," Davis said. "I think it's gotten blown out of proportion. Running for time and going through those tests is so different from actually playing football. You see guys who are workout warriors and then do nothing as pros."

Davis was a first-team USA Today All-American at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach, and he was recruited by heavyweights like Ohio State, Tennessee and Southern Cal.

"None of those college coaches seemed worried about how tall I was," Davis said.

He received considerable playing time as an FSU freshman, and moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore.

"This last season was rough," he said of the team's 7-6 finish. "We just lost our continuity. It didn't seem like we were all on the same page. And everybody brings their best game when they play us."

Buster Davis brings his best game all the time. Although he's an NFL fan (his dream is to be included in the Madden video game), he doesn't have a sense of where he might best fit in -- or which teams are most interested in him.

"It's really hard to tell from the way they talk with you at the combine," he said. "Whoever pulls the trigger on me is fine. I'll go play there."

Standing tall.

In-depth NFL interviews, courtesy of RealFootball365.com

[Callaway]

"I'm gonna "Bust" your gut open and watch you die"- The Program

I can see him saying that at the LOS haha what a great movie