SOFL 400m Specialist Ian Davis Selects Michigan

Nov 01, 2017

South Florida 400 meter specialist Ian Davis has made his college decision. The Western High School senior chose the University of Michigan over UNC, Cincinnati, and Mississippi State. He called the recruiting process stressful at times, but that overall it was a great experience.

"Right when I got into the 47's, it exploded with a lot of college coaches expressing interest," he said. "On each visit I got to take a tour of the school, attend a football game, hang out with the players on the team, and have one on one meetings with the coaches."

Davis, is the 2016 4A state runner-up in the quarter mile and owns a personal best of 47.12 from last year's 4A Region 4 Championship where he finished third behind Jamal Walton (45.70), and DaeQwan Butler of Piper (47.04). In the end, he picked the University of Michigan because he enjoyed the atmosphere, the team's upbeat attitude, and the opportunity to receive an excellent education.

"I bonded with Coach Rajewsky the most and my host Blake (Washington) who is a sprinter on the team," he explained. "I plan on studying Biology so I can branch off into the medical field later on in college."

What was the best sales pitch he received during recruiting?

"It's easy to decide now with the schools that want you earlier then later, because the coaches interested in you now see the potential in you earlier then the ones that wait to see your progress in spring," Davis said.

He took that advice to heart and decided to sign this November, allowing him to be stress free, focus on grades, and not leave hm frantically wondering which college he would attend.

After a runner-up finish in 2017, he believes his skill set is ready for his final high school season and during his time in Ann Arbor.

"My endurance and turn around speed help me the most with the 400," he noted. "My favorite thing about it is the unpredictability of it. My goals are to try and eventually hit 45 seconds."