Virginia Tech football: 88 days til kickoff with a look back at Andre Davis

Today is June 4, 2019, which means we are officially 88 days away from the Virginia Tech Hokies opening the college football season at Boston College. So, today, we take a look back at one of the best offensive players in Virginia Tech history: Number 88, Andre Davis.

Davis came to the Hokies from Niskayuna High in Niskayuna, New York, where he was a track star and soccer player. After a disagreement with his soccer coach, Davis dropped that sport and joined the football team and the rest, they say, is history.

Davis first saw the field for the Hokies in 1998 as a freshman, playing in eight games, catching five passes for 83 yards. He also showed flashes of his outstanding ability as a returner, too, fielding one punt for 36 yards.

It was 1999 when Davis became a star. Paired with legendary quarterback Michael Vick, Davis played in 12 games, catching 42 passes for 1,070 yards and 10 touchdowns. He averaged a ridiculous 25.5 yards per reception. He also had four carries for 88 and three more scores on the ground. Davis was arguably the best weapon in college football that season. That magical 1999 season, the greatest in school history, was the year in which the Hokies met Florida State in the national championship game. Davis even made the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Davis returned in 2000, but unfortunately battled injuries. He caught just 24 passes for 318 yards and two scores. He also carried the ball three times for 51 yards with another touchdown. Davis did have his coming out party as a returner in 2000, averaging 22 yards per punt return and scoring three times.

His game against West Virginia is one of the greatest individual performances in school history as Davis scored three times in three different ways. It was that game where and on one of Davis’ scores where Wayne Ward had one of the most memorable blocks in the history of college football. Despite a season in which he missed a few games, Davis still found the end zone six times.

As a senior in 2001, Davis played in 11 games, catching 39 passes for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. This despite questionable quarterback play as Vick had gone on to the NFL. Davis would continue his excellence as a punt returner, averaging 12.5 yards per return and added another score.

While his career stats don’t match up to Antonio Freeman, Danny Coale, Isaiah Ford or Cam Phillips, there’s no doubt that Davis is the single most impactful receiver in the history of Virginia Tech. Can you imagine a player like Davis playing in this era? He could score 15 touchdowns per season in a variety of ways. Davis is one of the more unheralded stars in the school’s history, in part to playing on the same team as Michael Vick and Corey Moore.

These days, Andre wears a number of hats. He is currently the Virginia Tech Director of Student-Athlete Support and Community Engagement. He is also a capital partner in Carolina Holdings Group based out of Myrtle Beach and is also a member of the board of directors for Pro Athletes Outreach. He lives in Middletown, Del., with his wife and children.

What’s your favorite memories of the great Andre Davis? Davis is one of my favorite players in school history. And yours?