Call It A Comeback For Gators Linebacker Jarrad Davis

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— For the third consecutive year, the Florida football team defeated the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field. However, it’s no question that this 24-10 victory over the Bulldogs was credited to the heavy hitting defense.  A defense that featured a player no one thought would see the field to defend a young Georgia offense—senior Linebacker Jarrad Davis.

usatsi_9608890_168381752_lowresInjured Star

Two weeks ago, the vocal linebacker endured an injury, in the Homecoming game against Missouri. He went down in the backfield and didn’t get up, which was uncharacteristic of the team leader.  Everyone watching the game could tell it was not good news. But there was good news later. The injury was diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, but there was doubt about the playing status of the Georgia native.

Davis was able to recover during Florida’s bye week and quickly returned to practice leading into preparation for Georgia. Although he returned to practice, this injury was a game time decision. Meaning, people were lead to believe this always highly anticipated rivalry game would be without the senior linebacker.

He proved everyone wrong.

Davis’ Return

It seemed as if Davis was with the athletic trainers around the clock trying to rehab the injured ankle. He says he was certain on his decision to play after feeling the energy during pre-game.

The linebacker standing tall at six-foot two-inches and weighing in at 238 pounds was all over the field for the Gator defense while in Jacksonville. At the end of regulation, he punched in seven tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss. There’s no doubt this was all while playing through some pain.

Florida’s defense held Georgia’s offense to only 164 yards and the argument could be, would this be the case without their star linebacker?

We will never know, because on On October 29th, 2016 at EverBank Field, Jarrad Davis made an unexpected comeback.

About Darwin Patterson

A senior at the University of Florida reporting on Gator sports, local Gainesville and surrounding area sports, and telling the stories of local athletes. Born and raised in Gainesville, Florida with a passion for telling people's stories and having fun doing it.

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