SPIKE DAVIS: Leading the Hunt

[PonyPride]

Leading the Hunt

Senior defensive end Margus Hunt is the most famous blocker of kicks in SMU history, and since he took the Mustangs’ special teams by storm as a freshman three years ago, Hunt often was quick to share the credit for his blocks with the guys who did the dirty work on the line of scrimmage, clearing space so that Hunt could get a forward push and throw a hand up in hopes of ruining an opposing kick.

That role previously was filled by defensive end Taylor Thompson, but Thompson is now running pass routes as a tight end in the Tennessee Titans’ camp. So if Hunt is going to make a run at the all-time NCAA record for blocker kicks — Hunt has 14 in his career, the third-highest total in NCAA history and five shy of tying the all-time national mark of 19, held by James Ferebee of New Mexico State — he is going to need a suitable replacement for Thompson.

The job is thankless, to say the least. It requires someone with enormous strength and lower-body power who is willing to wage war with the big blockers the other team rolls out to protect its kicker, sometimes relying on pure power, and other times using quickness and fakes to open lanes.

This year, the job will go to senior nose tackle Aaron “Spike” Davis, and at first glance, he appears to be a perfect fit. As an interior defensive lineman, he is used to the hand-to-hand combat that takes place at the line of scrimmage. A renowned workout fanatic, the former linebacker now carries a solid 282 pounds on his 6-foot-3-inch frame, and says he hopes to play this season between 285 and 290 pounds. He generates ample power from his lower-body strength — he squats more than any of the defensive linemen — and he bench presses more than 400 pounds. Not surprisingly, he said he is looking forward to the job, despite the glaring lack of .

“It’s really one of the toughest positions on the team,” Davis said. “You don’t get a lot of credit playing the position, but it’s still fun to get in to all the physical stuff in there.”

Davis is smaller than many interior linemen, but said that for his role on the kick blocking team, size isn’t the most important attribute.

“You’ve got to be able to get off the ball fast and have a really good punch to create some separation in there,” Davis said. “When you have a guy like Margus, who’s so good at blocking kicks, he’ll get a lot of opportunities if I do my job right.”

Davis said the task of being a lead blocker for Hunt is made more tolerable by the fact that Hunt is quick to share the credit for his accomplishments.

“He’s a pretty humble guy,” Davis said of Hunt. “When he gets a block, it comes up in film why he was able to get in there, and he appreciated Taylor for doing his job, so I know he’ll do the same for me.”

[ponyscott]

Love me some Davis...he is a bad [deleted]...

[ojaipony]

Watch yo mouth!

I agree. Wish the dude were 6'5" and 330 pounds, but I'll take it. Need 3 more.

[whitwiki]

I feel like we classify linemen by their height and weight too much. Moving people around is about getting leverage, and, while being bigger can help, it does not ensure success. It looks like he has plenty of power to play at our level.

[Corso]

This guy has done everything asked of him since he got to SMU. He has switched positions, gotten stronger (a lot stronger), lost weight, added weight, special teams, etc. I'll take a team full of Spike Davises any day.

Great story, PP. It's nice to see some of the guys who do the dirty work getting some attention for the time and work they put in. Every team needs guys like Spike.

[PSCA]

When you think of hair on fire ... balls to the walls ... eat or be eaten football mentality and play, and sprinkle in a little crazy (in a good way), Spikes picture appears. That's why he has been special teams player of the year twice and will be for a third time. He and Pitt will be a silid 1-2 punch at NT this year. You can never have enough Spike's on the team.

[35straight]

Love watching that guy on the kick-off team.

[BUS]

LOVE the fact that he weighs over 280.
Maybe even 290 by season.
Great Job Aaron.

[ALEX LIFESON]

Love watching that guy on the kick-off team.

+1

[PSCA]

I saw Kevin G and Margus lock up in the pre-practice ring of fire Coach Mason does, I think it was Friday. Kevin held his own, giving the SLIGHT edge to Margus. One of the funniest sights I've seen in awhile was Margus getting in Rogers car for a ride ... 6'8" Margus in a two seat Nissan 350z. Is there a Chiropractor in the house?

I'm not a big rumors guy, in fact I hate them. But, a little bird whispered that not all the scouts you are seeing at practice are there for the obvious choices ... certainly they look at them, but some other names might surprise you. I'll offer up one ... Spike as a possible FB ... there are others, but I'll leave at Spike.

[PonyTales]

How cool would that (Spike at FB) be?

If the former UCF DE - Bruce Miller - can do it (he now plays FB for the Niners), so can Spike.