MIKE THORN
NCR Reporter
Former West Nassau football standout Chaz Davis enters his final collegiate football season at Mercyhurst University. Davis has played for three different programs throughout his college career, starting out at Gannon University before a brief stint at Notre Dame College, and ending up at Mercyhurst University.
Davis has been a slot back and return specialist throughout his college career. He played as a true freshman at Gannon in Erie, Pennsylvania. Going into his sophomore year, Davis tore his labrum and right hip, requiring surgery. He opened up about the difficulties that lay within coming back from those injuries.
“When you come off of an injury, it’s different. That put me back a little bit when I came back and it just wasn’t looking good at that school,” said Davis.
Wanting to continue his football journey, he entered the transfer portal Nov. 16, 2023. The transfer portal is a system in college football where players can explore other colleges that have interest in them.
On Dec. 1, 2023, Davis received an offer to Notre Dame College, in which he ended up committing to Dec. 30. After he spent a couple months in South Euclid, Ohio, Notre Dame College announced plans to shut down, which included the football program. Just as he was getting settled in, another setback hit Davis. He didn’t let this define him as he kept striving for more and kept his faith in the Lord.
Davis entered the portal again March 1, 2024, and was amazed by the new opportunity ahead. As NDC shut down, the school provided the students with a convention involving different schools to help the students explore further options. At this convention, Davis met a coach from Mercyhurst University and eventually ended up getting an offer that he accepted. Davis stayed tough through all of the setbacks, resulting in him getting to the Division One level and returning to Erie.
Before getting surgery on his right hip, he was worried about whether he would still be able to move the same way afterward.
“I felt like that wasn’t something very common to tear,” said Davis. But once he started rehab, the hip started getting better.
Having the opportunity to play at the Division One level means a lot to him personally. “It really opened my eyes to God to be honest with you. I didn’t know where I was gonna go. It made me more grateful,” he said.
After having a great debut season in 2024, Davis still isn’t satisfied.
“I really want to have a big year, because honestly, I want to be able to enter the NFL draft with some good film and numbers,” he said. He plans on using their schedule against top-tier opponents such as Montana State, South Dakota State, and Sacramento State to leave his mark when scouts turn on the film.
After he graduates college, Davis plans to return home and wants to work as a barber and trainer, starting his own business.
Davis has always looked out for the youth football players of Callahan and wants to give them advice.
“Working hard is the bare minimum if you want to go somewhere in this life. Put yourself out there and don’t be shy. Try to get out there to talk and meet people, because who you know is a really big thing. Be patient. Don’t try to rush anything because everything will happen at the right time,” he said.