As a Virgina State University freshman last fall, Cameron “Cam” Davis displayed his considerable talents during the week in practice.

This season he’s showing his skills on Saturdays, when it really counts.

“We knew he was going to be a good one,” said Trojans Coach Henry Frazier. “Our starting offensive line last year couldn’t block him.”

An academic redshirt in 2022, the manufacturing engineering major has become a dominating force at defensive tackle for the 6-1 Men of Troy.

Through eight games he was second among all Trojans defenders with 37 tackles, including 25 solo. Only Carl Poole with 41 has more stops.

Davis’ tackling totals are uncommon for an interior lineman. Gen- erally, the tackling leaders are the linebackers and strong safeties. “I can be patient if I need to, but I like to get off the ball fast and into the other backfield,” he said.

Wearing jersey No. 97, he also has 11 tackles for losses, 4.5 quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.

“He can be a monster out there,” Coach Frazier said. “He’s a big, physical guy with a powerful motor.”

Davis was recruited to VSU out of J.R. Tucker High in Western Henrico by former Trojans Coach Reggie Barlow.

“I inherited him ... it was a great inheritance,” said Coach Frazier, now in his second season as VSU coach.

Davis’ career at Tucker never gathered much steam. The Tigers were 1-10 his sophomore season, 0-6 his junior campaign and 4-5 his senior year. He won no individual honors and was lightly recruited.

His high school career ended with a 63-0 loss to Highland Springs in a regional playoff.

“That hurt,” he recalled, “but I knew I wasn’t finished.” And he wasn’t, not by a long shot.