Monquelle Davis has played all over the field.
Quarterback, receiver, kick returner – you name it he’s probably seen time there.
Over the last two season he’s primarily played QB for Greenbrier East, something he’d done well. While most players would struggle in the spotlight he’s exceeded expectations, winning 13 games in two years as a starter.
“He’s matured a lot since his freshman year,” Greenbrier East head coach Ray Lee said. “Getting that field time as a freshman, the bright lights don’t get him nervous. I think he looks forward to playing under the bright lights if anything. He goes out and has fun in practice and when gametime comes he’s ready to roll.”
Rolling is a good descriptor.
The junior has drawn comparisons to Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson for his spectacular open field plays and athleticism.
It’s gotten him into trouble but also bailed him out of some tight spots. A two-play sequence in an overtime win against Princeton is the perfect example of that.
Davis was sacked on a first-and-19 and on the next play scrambled 38 yards to convert a first down. Two plays later he hit teammate Ian Cline for a gain of 17 yards on a drive that ended in a touchdown.
“With his athleticism he’s able to extend plays,” Lee said. “Sometimes it’ll get him in trouble, but that’s the chance you take as an athlete and you try to make things happen. When they happen it’s great and when you get yourself in trouble you just get yourself up off the ground and that’s what he does. He just plays the next down and we’ve been working with him on playing for the next down. Sometimes you want to try to make the biggest play and then it ends up being a mistake and you don’t get to play the next down. So we’re trying to get him in the mindset of throwing the ball away, running out of bounds so you don’t take hits and if you’re going to take a loss just get the ball out towards someone so it’s not a big loss. But most of the time he makes good decisions and gets us out of a bind.”
Being a dynamic playmaker allows for Lee and Co. to move him around as they see fit, something he’s always been open to. While many players label themselves as one position or another, Davis plays wherever is necessary. The coaching staff also obliges. While he may be a fit at one position for the team, if there’s an opportunity to play at the next level they’ll accommodate any of their players by moving them around.
It’s a snapshot of the bigger picture for Lee and testament to his willingness to put his players in the best position to succeed even beyond their time at East.
“We were talking about it with him earlier but going into his senior year he’s wanting to play multiple positions,” Lee said. “Trying to really work and see if he can put on more weight to see if he has a chance to play at other spots. He’s trying to set himself up for the next level to get looked at not just as a quarterback but at other positions too.
“He’s open to it too. We’ll put him at kick return, punt return, wideout and slot and he’s open to it. Our philosophy is we want to put them in the best position to be successful. It’s not just about putting them somewhere to win games. We want them to be successful. If they’re aspiring to play college ball and they feel like they can get a good look at a position then we’ll try them at that position. We’re not going to hold anyone back from getting themselves out there and earning a scholarship.”
Email: tylerjackson@lootpress.com and follow on Twitter @tjack94
