Meet Quentin Davie

 

Louie Vaccher
WildcatReport.com Staff Writer

Third in a series of profiles on the incoming freshmen of Northwestern's Class of 2006.

Quentin Davie is one of four incoming freshmen to earn a three-star rating from Rivals, and if you caught a glimpse of his high school highlight tape at the Signing Day press conference, you saw why. On one particularly memorable play, Davie sacked the quarterback, picked up the resulting fumble and then ran it back about 80 yards.

Davie’s talent stood out on that play and many others during his career at St. Louis (MO) Cardinal Ritter, which is why he was rated as the 14th-best prospect in the state of Missouri , and the 57th ranked outside linebacker in the country. Not too many guys have the athleticism to play the odd combination of quarterback and linebacker, as well as start at center for the Lions' state-champion basketball team.

Davie , you'll remember, originally committed to Duke but then changed his mind on a visit to Northwestern. Two of the reasons he cited was Northwestern's success on the gridiron in recent years, as well as the fact that the Wildcats wanted him to play linebacker, while the Devils saw him as a wide receiver.

Find out more about the young man that chose NU purple over Duke blue.


What position are you going to play for Northwestern?

Outside linebacker on the weak side. We talked a lot about the 3-4 set and how I'll do well in that. I'll be rushing and dropping into pass coverage.


Rivals listed you at 6-foot-4, 192 pounds. What is your size right now, and are you working on gaining weight?

Right now, I'm 6-4, 205. I've got a personal trainer right now and I'm putting on the weight. I just started my diet so I'm bulking up.


What's the accomplishment you are most proud of in your high school career?

Winning those two playoff games last season. We were the first team in school history to win a playoff game, and we won two of them.


You played quarterback, defensive end and middle linebacker at Cardinal Ritter. What was your favorite position, and will you miss playing the glamour position of quarterback?

Not really. I like defense and hitting. I actually like defense better.


What are the strengths of your game?

My longness or length, I guess. I'm long and people think it makes up for a lack of speed – but I don't think I have a lack of speed. ( Davie runs a 4.65 40-yard dash.) On defense, I can get to the ball and find the ball, and I like making the tackle.


What is your biggest area for improvement as a player as you make the jump to college ball?

Definitely strength and conditioning. And gaining weight. I maxed out at 245 (on the bench press).


Do you think you're going to redshirt as a freshman?

We didn't really talk about it but it's a possibility.


What are you doing to get ready for your freshman season?

I'm running four days a week and lifting with that. Also, I just started the diet three or four weeks ago. It's a calorie diet for me to bulk up and gain more muscle weight. It's seven meals a day, including three snacks. It's around 5,500 calories (per day).


Have you given any thought to your major yet?

Yes. I want to major in engineering (electrical or computer) but I'm not going to do that right away. I might go into (the School of Engineering ) my second year. They set up a (academic) program for me to get into engineering because it's really hard. They set me up in a way where I can go into engineering if I want, and if not, I can go in a different direction.


When do you report to Northwestern?

I report June 18 for summer school. I felt like it was a good thing because everyone I talked to said it would be good for me to go to summer school. Since there are only three of us (incoming freshmen) going, I thought that was real big to get selected out of all of the recruits.


What other sports did you play in high school?

I played basketball and two years ago, I ran track. I played center and we won the (Class 3) state championship last year in basketball. We were 28-3. (I averaged) five points and six rebounds a game. In track, I ran the 110 hurdles, the 300 hurdles, and long jump and high jump.


Who is your role model as a football player?

I would say my older brother (Alvin) because he really set the standard. It's just me and my brother (in the Davie family), and he went to college before me, and I really looked up to him. He's 19 now and playing defensive end at Tennessee Tech.


What do you like to do in your spare time?

Hang out, I guess. Going to the movies and going bowling. I'm really good at bowling. I average about 215.


If you could have lunch or spend some time with a famous person – living or dead – who would it be and why?

Definitely Martin Luther King, Jr. I always looked up to him and they taught us a lot about him all through school.


How about the favorite movie that you've seen recently?

X-Men: The Last Stand.


What's your favorite band or recording artist?

Nelly – he's from St. Louis .


What number will you be wearing next season?

No. 41. They gave that to me. I like it because it's Tim McGarigle's number.