Markez Davis is a popular topic in football recruiting circles.
The rising senior from Northwest High, who has been known as a college basketball prospect for years, is taking an official football visit this weekend to LSU, which is in hot pursuit of him as a defensive back.
“They’re telling me things I want to hear,” said the 6-foot-3 Davis, whose recruitment is being overseen by LSU cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond. “It feels like a dream come true. Every kid in Louisiana dreams of going to LSU.”
Basketball scholarships began arriving during his sophomore season, with football offers coming fast and furious near the end of his junior year.
LSU, like other schools, loves Davis’s long frame which the Tigers plan to use to blanket the opposition’s No. 1 receiver.
“They like my size, my (footwork)…everything about me,” said Davis, who has been a deep receiving threat for the Raiders for three years.
During last season, an injury to a Northwest starting defensive back prompted Davis to volunteer to play both ways, and the rest is history.
“He’s the fourth guy from our school to start out as a basketball player and get a football scholarship,” Raiders football coach Chris Edwards said.
Davis, who was participating in summer league basketball on Thursday at David Thibodaux, has played on a prestigious AAU circuit in the past but could put that on hold this summer to focus on football.
“He’s just a very genuine kid who is always smiling,” Edwards said. “Markez is a great leader with a great home life. You couldn’t ask for a better family. He’s a hard worker who could play safety, cornerback or receiver in college.”
Davis, who has exceptional leaping ability, helped the Raiders to the state basketball tournament as a junior. In the past, Northwest hoops coach Mark Cassimere brought him to Shreveport to match up against Calvary Baptist’s nationally ranked guard Tyrone Jamison.
“The kid has always been hungry to play against the best,” Cassimere said. “I wanted to give him that opportunity.”
Davis, who debuted in the Rivals rankings as the No. 28 football player in Louisiana, also has official visits planned to Tulane and Houston, but LSU hopes to persuade him to make a verbal commitment this weekend.
“He’s a hard worker who does what’s necessary,” Cassimere said. “He does all the right things. I envisioned this from Day 1. His skills are second to none.”
Davis hauled in over 700 receiving yards as a junior in an offense that featured the running of Ke’Von Johnson – and intercepted three passes.
“I’m a freak athlete who is always down to work,” he said. “I’m ready to make a name for myself. Where I’m from, not a lot of people make it to the next level. I want to show everybody it’s possible.”
