Aug 23, 2018 By Adam Brewer for The 4 min read

A consistent defense, relentless front seven and a versatile linebacker have been the norm for Waynesburg University over the last decade.

That won’t change 2018 as the Yellow Jackets look to get leadership from a senior linebacker with some local ties in John-Glen Davis.

“The big thing this season is that everyone has to play for each other,” Davis said. “We just have to play hard and unselfish. You just have to be relentless on defense and you can’t take any plays off. All 11 guys must hustle to the ball every play.”

Davis was a standout on the football field at Waynesburg Central before spending the last three seasons with the Yellow Jackets.

“I don’t think there was really any differences between playing at Waynesburg (High School) then to here,” Davis stated. “At the end of the day, it’s still football. It’s all about your technique and how your instincts take you on the field.”

Davis also excelled, and lettered, on the basketball and baseball squads with the Raiders.

Davis had a breakout campaign as a junior last season and recorded a team-high 91 tackles (44 solo-47 assisted). The previous two seasons, he tallied just 47 tackles in 15 games.

“I just saw more time on the field last year,” Davis said. “It was just my time to get on the field. I waited patiently the previous two seasons, and I knew I had to take full advantage of my opportunities. As an every-down linebacker, you just want to contribute and make plays for your team.”

Davis, who was a Presidents’ Athletic Conference honorable mention pick last season, started all 10 games in 2017, and added nine tackles for loss, four pass breakups and three fumble recoveries.

He was sixth in tackles per game (8.5) last year in the PAC and reached the double-digit tackle mark five times a season ago, which included a career-high 13 stops against Thomas More.

“John is extremely humble,” Waynesburg coach Chris Smithley expressed. “He has learned from the other guys in his position that graduated and now embraces being a leader. He is ready to lead and he knows that it’s his team now. He cares about his team and he has a whole extra type of pride for this place since he has lived here his whole life.

“He is just a special kid.”

No matter the level of football, Davis stress the importance of communication at linebacker.

“As a senior linebacker, communication is so key on defense,” Davis said. “That’s what makes everything work on defense. Everybody has to communicate and be on the same page. From the line to the secondary, everyone has to know their assignments.”

As for playing for his hometown university and in front of many of the same people that watched him in high school on Friday nights, Davis said he is ecstatic to be playing at John F. Wiley Stadium and in Greene County.

“It’s pretty special to play for my hometown,” Davis remarked. “I’ve been here my whole life and I guess I just never left. It’s been fun to play in front of the same people the last decade and it’s always fun to play with new teammates. I’m glad I’m here and I’m ready for the season to start.”

Smithley also noted another of the characteristics Davis possesses as a top-notched linebacker.

“You can tell by the way he plays, he has a lot of passion for football and has a great work ethic,” Smithley said. “He is relentless when pursuing the ball and takes great angles to get tackles. He’s a great communicator for our defense and the younger guys just follow his lead on and off the field.”

Davis and the rest of the Yellow Jackets will open up the 2018 campaign at home against non-conference foe Muskingum on Sept. 1. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.