Getting to Know: Malik Davis

Last October, Florida added another talented piece to an already deep running back room when four-star running back Malik Davis opted to commit to the Gators over Miami and North Carolina.

After receiving an offer from UF in late October, Davis, a standout at Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit High School, announced his commitment to Florida five days later and remained strong with it throughout the remainder of the 2017 recruiting cycle.

At Jesuit, Davis ran for a county-best 2,469 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior en route to multiple accolades, including the 2016 Guy Toph Award (given each year to Hillsborough County’s most outstanding football player) and 2016 Hillsborough Offensive Player of the Year honors by the Tampa Bay Times. He finished his high school career at Jesuit as the county's all-time rushing leader with 7,025 career yards.

The 5-foot-11, 196-pound Davis will arrive in Gainesville and report to the team Tuesday morning, as he'll begin Summer B session classes next Monday. He'll major in business marketing at UF, and he plans to wear No. 20 for the Gators.

Today, it's time to learn a little bit more about Davis on a personal level in this edition of Getting to Know.

I know you were looked at by a bunch of different schools during your recruitment, but what was the main reason why you chose to come to Florida?

“I feel like I have a great relationship with the coaches. I just felt comfortable with them. When I went up there, you know how you go to different schools and some schools you don’t feel at home at. Well, when I went up there, I felt like I was home. I felt comfortable. I just felt like I can go in and make an impact early. I fit in – I feel like I fit in perfectly with their offense.

“It was a great process, great experience. At the end of the day, you only get to choose one school. I’m blessed that I was able to choose the school that I’ve always wanted to go to.”

Who came in second for you and why?

“Probably Miami and North Carolina. With Miami, they have great, great running backs. With Coach Mark Richt, he’s put multiple running backs in the league. Miami is a great program and they recruited me pretty hard. Same thing with North Carolina. I’ve got a great relationship with the coaches. That’s what probably stood out to me about North Carolina the most. Since day one, they had recruited me very hard.”

What did you like the most about the recruiting process?

“I think just being acknowledged for all the hard work you’ve done and it’s finally paying off with scholarship offers. They want to give you an education, and that just comes with hard work. So, I think that’s just another great experience and I like that.”

What did you dislike about it the most?

“I don’t know. I don’t really have anything that I can say that I disliked.”

What are some of your greatest strengths you'll bring to the table as a member of Florida's running back stable?

“I feel like I’m just a different back than everyone that’s there. I’m an every-down back – speed, power, explosiveness. I can catch the ball. That’s why I feel like I’m different than the backs they have now. They’re great backs now, but I just feel like I’m different.”

What have Florida coaches expressed to you about your role when you arrive?

“Pretty much the same thing that I said just now. Using my hands, catching the ball, getting out in open space, breaking out and hitting the long runs. Just being explosive.”

What do you really want to work on the most when you get to UF?

“I would say catching the ball more, just because it’s changing and that’s what’s needed out of a lot of running backs now - being able to catch the ball. That’s something I do pretty well, but that’s just something I’d like to work on more.”

What are your main expectations for your freshman season?

“I just want to get on the field and be able to help my team win games and just make an impact. Nothing too crazy, I just want to help win games and make an impact early.”

Who has been the biggest role model for you in your life?

“I’d probably say my older brother - he’s trained me, but he’s more like family now … so I call him my brother. He came into my life when I was like 11. I’d say he’s been the biggest role model because he’s done the football stage, playing ball in college at USF. He was just a big influence on me, because he always gave me great advice. He’s just somebody that I’ve always looked up to.”

If you could meet one person in the world, who would that be?

“I want to meet Bill Gates.”

What is your favorite professional sports team?

“Probably the Bucs.”

Which current NFL player would you compare your talents to?

“I’ve got three. I’d say Devonta Freeman, Le’Veon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott.”

What is your favorite type of music, and who are some of your favorite artists?

“I like hip-hop and rap music. I like Future, Kodak Black, Eminem, A-Boogie Wit Da Hoodie. I like Drake, too.”

Do you have a favorite movie?

“It probably has to be The Wolf of Wall Street.”

Favorite TV show?

“I don’t watch TV shows, but if I had to pick, I’d say ESPN, maybe.”