Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/375157
72 He got his first start in the 2013 season opener against Northern Illinois and Davis remained in the starting lineup the next 12 games. He finished with 41 tackles, including a career-high eight during a 24-21 win against Michigan. "e difference was my mentality: lining up, going to work, and not worrying about anything," Davis said. "I had to be more mature and start playing football. at's what it came down to; I was thinking too much and trying to make too many plays. If I play within the defense I will be fine. All I wanted to do was win games and that's how I am now." Davis enters his final season of college on watch lists for the Bednarik Award (top defensive player), Outland Trophy (outstanding interior lineman), Rotary Lombardi Award (lineman of the year), and Bronko Nagurski Trophy (defensive player of the year). He has been named to preseason All- America and All-Big Ten teams. "It is more of the road he traveled," UI head coach Kirk Ferentz said. "He battled through injury. Two years ago he didn't know his potential, last year he started figuring it out. is last spring he started enjoying the fact that, 'Hey, maybe I am pretty good.' I think he is starting to get that, and not in an ego way." When Davis arrived at Iowa, the Hawkeyes were loaded on the defensive line with Adrian Clayborn, Mike Daniels, Karl Klug, and Christian Ballard. All four were draed and played in the NFL. "I knew I wanted to be like those guys. ey made a lot of plays, so I am trying to continue the tradition," Davis said. "at group was tough. I remember watching games where they just kept going and didn't sub out. ey had a drive and hunger to make plays." Davis has incorporated that ambition, too. His career mirrors the advice he offers UI underclassmen: stay the course, it's a marathon.