With numerous other high school seniors around the country, one of Weatherford High School’s football players signed his letter of intent last week.
Offensive guard Hayden Davis announced on the National Letter of Intent Day (Feb. 6) that he plans on playing for Malone University, a Christian liberal arts university in Canton, Ohio.Davis decided on that school two weeks before the signing, which was attended by his coaches and family. He said until visiting that campus, he had planned on attending a school in Iowa that is part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.But when he visited Malone, he decided that’s where he wanted to go."For me to go there they were gonna have to wow me," Davis said. "And they did."The main reason he chose Malone is because it is a Division 2 school in the NCAA and not a part of the NAIA, Davis said, even though the NAIA team had been a championship team."It’s more prestigious," Davis said.Malone just recently became a NCAA team in the last couple years."It’s a work in progress," Davis said about the program. "But I definitely want to be a part of it."Davis’ dad also lives and works in the Canton area but Davis said he received no pressure from his parents, who encouraged him to make the decision himself."It’s my decision," Davis said. "This might be a good decision or it might be a bad one, but I’ll just have to see."Davis said he looks forward to playing in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium, one of the largest D-2 stadiums. Malone shares that home field with three other teams.Malone has openings at center, Davis said, which is likely where he will play. He said he looks forward to working hard in order to become a regular payer.Davis, who has lived in Weatherford his whole life, said he has played tackle football since he was in first grade and started for the high school since he was a sophomore.The losing seasons at Weatherford discouraged Davis, but he said he still enjoyed his time there."I don’t regret a minute of it," Davis said.Davis made the first-team all-district and first-team all-county last year.No schools in Texas pursued him except for Southwestern Assemblies of God University which was disappointing, Davis said, but he looks forward to playing in Ohio.Davis said he has not picked a major yet."I kind of want to go my freshman year with an open mind," Davis said.In the future, Davis said he hopes to study business administration and possibly political science.Moving to Ohio will be a big change, Davis said, since he lived his whole life in Texas. But he said he looks forward to life in the city where he won’t have to worry about being bored in his dorm room.He does not know anyone else who is going to Malone University."I think I’m probably the only Texas kid," Davis said.Davis reports at the school on August 7.Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
