Grapevine linebacker predicted to have ‘big-time season’

In high school football, it’s normally the better all-around athletes that are looked at to handle the ball as much as possible. Those players often-times tend to play quarterback.

And so it was with Grapevine’s Brennon Davis through his sophomore year.

Davis had moved to Grapevine for his sophomore year, coinciding with head coach Randy Jackson’s arrival at Grapevine.

The size and talent made Davis a natural – and smart – move to outside linebacker.

When Jackson put Davis on the other side of the ball, good things happened.

Enough good things happened that Davis was named to last season’s first team all-district linebacking list.

As you can imagine, the Mustangs and Jackson are excited about the possibilities for what may lie ahead this season for Davis and the defense.

Davis, now a 6-1 and 220-pound junior, will still be one of Grapevine’s backup quarterbacks. He said he’s getting plenty of snaps on both sides of the ball in preseason practices.

“I have the size and speed to run with a receiver when I need to,” Davis said, “and enough size to match up with linemen,” he said about playing on defense.

Still, Davis said he spent most of the offseason working on getting stronger and faster. Gaining weight and improving his technique have been paying off.

As a second-year returning starter, Davis said he feels more comfortable and is better prepared.

“I know what’s at stake and the extra experience and knowing the varsity tempo will make for a better outcome this year.

“We have a pretty good defense this year,” Davis said. “We had a good spring and two-a-days so far.”

Adding to the excitement of the defensive capabilities this year is Grapevine’s new defensive coordinator, Mike Alexander, who previously coached at Mt. Vernon.

“The new defense is just great,” Davis said. “There’s more to do for the linebackers, and the coverages are good. The strength of the defense is going to be stopping the run. And the defensive backs have been working on coverages. For the linebackers, we’re getting down to stop the run and then getting back to cover the pass.”

Having a solid defense will be one of the keys in making a return trip to the playoffs for Grapevine, which salvaged its 3-8 campaign last year with the postseason appearance.

The new wrinkles and philosophy – not to mention the talent – are paying dividends for Grapevine. Knowledge of the system and buying into Jackson’s program is producing results, Davis said.

Those results will begin to tally when Grapevine opens with North Crowley this week.

“This year we’re trying to play with more intensity and flying to the ball,” Davis said.

His focus was on team goals, but he does reluctantly admit to having a few personal goals.

“It would be nice to have 85 to 100 tackles this year,” Davis said.

Jackson expects more accolades and leadership for Davis.

“He’s a great player and a great young man,” Jackson said. “He’s going to have a big-time season.” Jackson expects Davis to eventually become a DI player.

“I’m still needing to work on elements of technique,” Davis said. “I’m just looking forward to the season.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 3:57 PM with the headline "Grapevine linebacker predicted to have ‘big-time season’."