FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas sophomore Knile Davis is a tailback who doesn’t mind playing fullback.
“I don’t have a problem with doing anything the coaches ask me to do,” Davis said. “Even if I have to line up at wide receiver, I’ll do that.”
How about offensive tackle?
“I don’t think I’m qualified,” Davis, 6-0 , 220 pounds, said with a laugh. “But I’ll block for anybody.”
Razorbacks offensive coordinator Garrick McGee praised Davis’ unselfish attitude.
“I appreciate Knile being a really good team member, because when you’re a bigshot tailback ... and we ask you to come in and play fullback, and lead block for another tailback, a lot of times guys are not interested in doing that,” McGee said. “They say, ‘I’m a tailback, Coach. I need the ball.’ And Knile has not flinched. He’s willing to do whatever he can to help our team win, and I really appreciate that.”
Davis, who last season rushed 33 times for 163 yards and 4 touchdowns, estimated that in fall camp he’s practiced about 80 percent of the time at tailback and 20 percent at fullback.
“The coaches have implemented some packages for me at the fullback, whether we’re running or passing,” Davis said. “They see that as a way to get me on the field to help out more.”
Davis also got some work at fullback last spring.
“We went back and watched the cut-ups from the spring and saw how good a job he did in a limited number of plays at fullback,” running backs coach Tim Horton said. “So we’ve decided to increase that a little.
“He’s still a tailback, but you can see him as a fullback now, too.”
Davis was limited to one carry for 6 yards in Saturday’s scrimmage because he felt his hamstring tighten up, but he’s returned to practice this week.
Coming back from injuries is nothing new for Davis, who has undergone two surgeries on his right ankle and one surgery on his left shoulder over the past two years.
Davis broke his collarbone in last spring’s Red-White game, when he was tackled by safety Tramain Thomas - his roommate at the time - after gaining 18 yards on a draw play.
“Tramain threw me down ... my roommate did me wrong,” Davis said, smiling. “He was regretful when he found out what had happened, but he didn’t do anything wrong.
“I can’t tell him to ease off. That’s his job, and that’s football.”
Davis said the injury at least happened “at the perfect time” of the spring.
“I didn’t have to miss any practices, and I had time to heal up and be ready for this season,” he said. “To me, it was a blessing that I didn’t get hurt earlier.”
Thomas said a combination of physical and mental toughness has enabled Davis to keep overcoming injuries.
“He’s very mature for his age, and he’s got the mind-set that he’s going to bounce back from whatever comes into his life,” Thomas said. “He’s just a really strong person.”
Davis said it’s natural for a player to be down when an injury occurs.
“The key to coming back is having a lot of people around you giving you support and encouragement,” he said. “Somebody has to push you, and our training staff did a good job of pushing me to get better.
“Plus, you’ve got to actually want to get better and do all the hard work that’s necessary.”
Davis is part of Arkansas’ talented tailback rotation with Dennis Johnson, Ronnie Wingo and Broderick Green.
“We just have to respect the fact that we’re all good, and we’re all going to play,” Davis said. “When you get your opportunity, you make the best of it.
“I know that whoever is in there, whatever needs to get done is going to get done.”
Thomas said Davis is an all around talent who has “vision, speed, and power.”
Davis also has playing experience from last season.
“Now there’s no hesitation,” he said. “I know what to expect.
“I know what the game is going to be like. I know what to do before the game, after the game. There’s just something about being a veteran that helps you out a little bit more.”
Sports, Pages 19 on 08/18/2010