Ryan Davis Named FCS National Defensive Performer of the Year by CFPA

Jan. 12, 2012

Reach Football Contact Michael Stambaugh for more details by E-Mail

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Despite being named MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and earning spots on six separate All-American teams, Bethune-Cookman senior defensive end Ryan Davis has managed to top all that thanks to his outstanding performances in his final year as a Wildcat. On Thursday, Davis was recognized by CFPA as the 2011 FCS National Defensive Performer of the Year.

Davis, the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year finished the regular season leading the MEAC with 12 sacks (10^th in FCS) and finishing second in tackles for loss with 21.5 (7^th in FCS), while registering 65 tackles (including 40 solo shots). He also finished the year with 65 tackles (40 solo), 17 quarterback hurries, eight forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and a safety, now putting an exclamation point on the awards season with an FCS National Defensive Performer of the Year Award from College Football Performance Awards.

“It’s a big honor for me, something that I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life,” Davis told the awards agency in his acceptance. “I’m really thankful for this, and I’m thankful for the teammates I have, and the coaches that coached me up and pushed me in practice every day.”

Davis is now a multi-source All-American, named FCS second team by The Sports Network and College Sports Madness, FCS third team by the Associated Press and Phil Steele Publications, and HBCU/Black College All-America by College Sporting News and Box to Row.

This is the most notable award, on a national FCS scale, for a Bethune-Cookman player since Rashean Mathis became the NCAA I-AA/FCS Season and Career Interception Record holder, leading to the Buck Buchanan Award, following the 2002 season.

With many scouting and draft agencies abuzz about the hard-working defensive end from Tampa, Fla., Davis will get another shot to showcase his skills on Saturday, January 21, 2012 in the Battle of Florida All-Star Game, which features native Florida senior college players pitting the North vs. the South. Davis will play on the North team, coached by Florida State legend Bobby Bowden, and is joined in the game by five B-CU teammates; Natiel Curry, Jean Fanor, Ryan Lewis, Reggie Sandilands, and Michael Williams. The game will be played at Florida Atlantic University Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m. EST, broadcast nationwide on Fox College Sports.

D-I FCS College Football Performance Awards:

National Performer of the Year -- Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
National Defensive Performer of the Year -- Ryan Davis, Bethune-Cookman
National Freshman Performer of the Year -- Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
Quarterback Award -- Taylor Heinicke, Old Dominion
Running Back Award -- Terrance West, Towson
Wide Receiver Award -- Aaron Mellette, Elon
Tight End Award -- Colin Anderson, Furman
Defensive End Award -- Corey Hart, Alabama A&M
Defensive Tackle Award -- Ben Boothby, Northern Iowa
Linebacker Award -- L.J. Fort, Northern Iowa
Defensive Back Award -- Marcus Williams, North Dakota State
Placekicker Award -- Zach Brown, Portland State
Punter Award -- Patrick Murray, Fordham
Punt Returner Award -- Asa Jackson, Cal Poly
Kickoff Returner Award -- Laron Scott, Georgia Southern
Elite Wide Receiver Award -- Brian Quick, Appalachian State
Elite Punter Award -- David Harrington, Idaho State
Elite Defensive Tackle Award -- Ronnie Cameron, Old Dominion
Elite Defensive Back Award -- Bryce Robertson, Bucknell
Elite Tight End Award -- Matt Tracey, Bryant
Elite Punt Returner Award -- Justin Bethel, Presbyterian
Elite Tight End Award -- Kyle Juszczyk, Harvard
Elite Kickoff Returner Award -- Jeremy Caldwell, Eastern Kentucky
Elite Linebacker Award -- Matt Evans, New Hampshire
Elite Kickoff Returner Award -- Kevin Fogg, Liberty
Elite Defensive Back Award -- Ryan Steed, Furman
Elite Quarterback Award -- Bo Levi Mitchell, Eastern Washington
Elite Running Back Award -- Shakir Bell, Indiana State
Elite Wide Receiver Award -- Richard Sincere, Sam Houston State
Elite Defensive Back Award -- Trumaine Johnson, Montana

About College Football Performance Awards: The purpose of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.