Syracuse Football: Get To Know Your Orange Man - #35 Dyshawn Davis

Most of you probably already know Dyshawn Davis pretty well. He made a pretty big impact as a true freshman last season, starting at outside linebacker. Let's learn a bit more about out big-hitting buddy.

Position: Linebacker

Year: Sophomore

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 213

Hometown: Woodbury, NJ

High School: Woodbury

2011 Stats: 43 Tackles, 10.5 TFL, 4 Sacks, FF, FR

2012 Projections: All things considered, Dyshawn did a pretty nice job starting at outside linebacker as a true freshman. After a year in the weight program and another offseason spent learning the system, expect Davis to continue to improve and become one of our bigger playmakers on the defensive side this season.

How'd He Get Here?: Dyshawn was originally a member of the 2009 class, but failed to qualify academically, so he spent a season at Milford Academy. He got his grades up to snuff, and transferred to SU last winter, and got a jump on things in spring ball, allowing him to win a starting job last season.

Scout/Rivals Said: Scout gave Davis three stars. Rivals only afforded him two.

Money Quote: Dyshawn on his Play-of-the-Year candidate (more on that later), bone-winning, SportsCenter Top 10 play forced fumble in the Rutgers game:

"I just put my helmet right on his shoulder pads," he said. "I didn't know he fumbled until I saw Ri'Shard (Anderson) running with the ball."

Links of Wonder: A piece by Nolan about Dyshawn (and Deon Goggins and Ri'Shard Anderson) making their first starts for SU.

Doug Marrone Thinks: From the DO's 2011 Football Guide

"Dyshawn Davis runs as well as any linebacker that I've ever been around on the field," SU head coach Doug Marrone said. "Now his 40-time may not be that way, but as far as on the field, he can flat run."

Interesting Nugget O'Interest: Dyshawn won some awards this past year. Not only was he a play-of-the-year candidate, but he was also the ECAC's defensive rookie of the year, the 'Cuse Award for male rookie of the year, and he made the 2011 Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

Let Us Get a Good Look At that Hit You Had That Was Really Awesome:

Dyshawn Davis Syracuse Football HighLights 2011 (via juicesu25)