Florida Tech Football Lineman Adonis Davis Announced as Finalist for Gene Upshaw Award
By Daniel Supraner, Florida Tech Sports // November 21, 2018
Senior defensive lineman is one of eight finalists for Gene Upshaw DII Lineman of the Year
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Florida Tech football’s Adonis Davis has been named a finalist for the 2018 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award.
Davis is one of eight finalists for the award after regional voting narrowed the field from 46 candidates. The finalists include four offensive linemen and four defensive linemen.
The award is presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club and voted on by the nation’s NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists advance from each of the four NCAA Division II super regions.
Davis, a native of Columbus, Ohio, finished with 73 tackles this season, including 45 solo stops, 18 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks and three forced fumbles. The senior defensive lineman leads the GSC in tackles for loss and sacks.
With Saturday’s NCAA Playoff loss, Davis incredible Florida Tech career came to an unfortunate end. However, Davis will go down as one of the best players in program history.
He is the only Panther to be a three-time All-GSC First Team selection. Last season, Davis was a finalist for the 2017 Cliff Harris Award given to the Small College Defensive Player of the Year as well as recognized as an All-American by four separate organizations.
Davis finishes his collegiate career as Florida Tech’s record holder for sacks (23), sacks in a single season (8.0), career tackles for loss (52.0) and tackles for loss in a single season (21.0).
The national round of voting begins on Monday, Nov. 19 and closes on Monday, Nov. 26. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The award recipient has an invitation to participate in front of professional scouts and coaches at the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. The winner will also be recognized at the Manheim Touchdown Club’s annual banquet in May.
The NFL recognizes, endorses and supports the winner of the award by guaranteeing a place in the all-star games. The support comes as recognition and appreciation for the late Mr. Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years.
Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility.
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