AARON DAVIS: Power Spike

[PonyPride]

When he transferred to SMU from Fresno State in 2008, Aaron Davis carried 219 pounds on his 6-foot-3-inch frame — not bad size for a freshman linebacker.

Fast-forward a few years, and Davis, who will be a junior nose tackle/defensive end in the fall, barely resembles his former self. A constant occupant of the SMU weight room and dedicated practitioner of strength coach Mel de Laura's offseason conditioning program, Davis now looks like a 3-4 defensive end, with 276 pounds strapped to his frame ... and in case anyone thinks his increased bulk is so-called "bad weight," consider that after working out Monday, Davis did an eye-popping 32 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.

Davis said he knew his strength was improving, in part because of the extra time he spent lifting while healing from an injury.

"I knew I was getting stronger, because I got that hernia in the spring," he said. "So I had to focus only on my upper body. I was doing push-ups all day, and a bunch of chest and shoulder lifts."

Known to his teammates as "Spike" or "Diesel," Davis has caught de Laura's eye, for his work ethic as much as for his increased size and improved strength.

"'Spike' is just killing it," de Laura said. "I tell him to believe in what he's doing, and the results will take care of themselves. He's in here every day, six days a week, and obviously it's paying off."

While grateful for de Laura's compliment, Davis is quick to give the credit for his improvement to de Laura and his staff.

"I'm doing his program six days a week — I'm just one of those people who likes to get up and lift," Davis said. "It's good coming in on Saturdays, because otherwise, you might be sitting around feeling worthless and not getting anything done.

"In his program, each day is dedicated to a specific body part, or group of body parts, and we do each one twice a week, so we gain a lot of strength and stamina. Monday is chest and back. Tuesday is shoulders. Wednesday is all legs. Then we do them all again Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and rest Sunday. A lot of what I have done is his program. He pushes us, and it's nice to have such a positive guy around. He's so energetic, and he comes in, even on his days off, and that's rubbing off on the team."

Davis said his 32-rep performance on the bench was not his upper limit. Considering the fact that he did it after a heavy chest workout, he said he thinks he can do 35 repetitions by August.

"I'd like to do 35 — I don't know," he said. "I'm working hard, and focusing on my diet. I get up in the middle of the night to drink a (protein) shake at 2:30 or 3 in the morning, and I usually drink a couple during workouts so I don't lose any weight then."

How his increased bulk will translate to the football field in 2011 remains to be seen. Last season, Davis was a backup nose tackle and occasional defensive end in certain situations.

"I guess I'm a utility defensive lineman," he said. "I'll play wherever they want me to. (Defensive line) Coach (Bert) Hill said he wanted me to put on some weight over the offseason, and I'm doing that. Hopefully that means more time (on the field). Whether it's on defense or special teams, I don't care. I just want to play.

"It starts in (the weight room) and in the running, though. We have more people putting in extra work than we have since I got here — I'd say we have about 30 guys who come in on Saturdays now, even though they don't have to. We have a chance to be a good team this season because of the work we're doing now."

[PerunaPunch]

We have more people putting in extra work than we have since I got here — I'd say we have about 30 guys who come in on Saturdays now, even though they don't have to. We have a chance to be a good team this season because of the work we're doing now."

Winning attitude is contagious.

[ponyscott]

That's dedication at its finest. I look forward to watching him this fall. He always has alot of energy on the sideline during games and is always ready to go in, wherever they want him.....now he has the weight and strength to dominate. He is a warrior with Mana!

[ponytailgater]

Geez... I haven't been to the gym in 2 years. Don't I feel lazy now!

[mrydel]

I average things out. Between he and I, we have averaged 3 days a week in the weight room.

[BoazBastard]

Winning starts in the weight room. This team is going to be fun to watch come next fall. Don't be surprised by a double digit win season.