THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607260445
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 51 lines
Danny Davis, who ran and caught his way to 1,900 all-purpose yards for Manteo High School as a junior last season, has committed to play football at the University of North Carolina.
He will be the first from the school to receive a football scholarship to the Atlantic Coast Conference school.
Davis, who will be a senior at Manteo this fall, will officially sign with the Tar Heels next February. But he made his choice early.
``I've talked with a lot of people who have been through recruiting, and they say all the hype is a lot of fun,'' Davis said Thursday. ``But I've always wanted to go to Carolina. I'd love to go to Nebraska or Florida State, but it's too far away. I'd rather be somewhere that was close so that my folks could see me play.'' He is the son of Nina Davis and Dan Davis.
Strong family ties to Chapel Hill were another factor in the decision. Davis' father, Dan, is a North Carolina graduate who boxed at the school. His uncle, Ike Davis Jr., played service league football with Tar Heels legend Charles ``Choo-Choo'' Justice. Davis' grandfather, Ike Davis Sr., was a member of the university's board of trustees.
``I've always wanted to go to Carolina,'' Danny said. ``Since I was a kid, that's all I've heard about.
Davis, who has split time as a tailback and wide receiver at Manteo, said he will likely line up at receiver for the Tar Heels. Davis recently attended North Carolina Coach Mack Brown's football camp, where he worked primarily as a receiver.
``They want me as a receiver,'' Davis said. ``I'd like to play tailback. But I'm a little too small to play tailback at college.''
He is 6-foot and weighs 185 pounds.
Davis caught 36 passes for more than 700 yards last season for Manteo Coach Steve Basnight. He also returned kicks and handled placekicking chores for the Redskins. He scored 14 touchdowns.
As a sophmore, he helped Manteo to the Class 2A Northeastern Conference championship, and a state playoff berth.
Davis also lettered in baseball, basketball and track. As a designated hitter this past season, Davis hit.310 for Manteo's Class 2A state championship team.
``Danny Davis is one of the most dynamic players I have ever coached,'' Basnight said. ``I'm excited about coaching him in his senior season.''
Along with North Carolina, Davis was also contacted by East Carolina, North Carolina State, Alabama, the University of California and others.
Davis will make his commitment official next February when he signs a national letter of intent.
Davis has a 3.0 grade point average, and has already academically qualified to enter North Carolina. He plans to study business. by CNB