Dec. 11, 2014
CWU Football Standout Named to 2014 Coaches' All-America Team
He can now officially be considered among the nation's best collegiate football players. Central Washington University's Isaiah Davis has been named to the 2014 American Football Coaches Association Division II Coaches' All-America Team. Announced Tuesday by the AFCA, Davis (5-10, 186, Jr., Bremerton) was named as the all-purpose player on the 25-member squad.
"It's incredible, unreal to be mentioned in the elite of the entire nation," said Davis, upon learning of the recognition. "It's definitely an honor and the biggest personal award I've received."
CWU head coach Ian Shoemaker added, "This is the premiere All-America team, because it's done by the coaches. It's the top-end team and one of the highest honors we have."
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945. The AFCA's Division II All-America Selection Committee is made up of three head coaches from each of the organization's nine districts. The coaches in each district rank their top players.
"This [award] goes to show the strength of our defensive backfield," Shoemaker added.
Davis noted, "I definitely didn't see as many balls [passes thrown in his direction] as I would have hoped for, but I was still able to put up some pretty good numbers this year."
Pretty good is an understatement.
His five interceptions were tied, with CWU redshirt freshman middle linebacker Kevin Haynes (6-0, 230, Battle Ground), for the most in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC). It was the second straight year that Davis led the GNAC in that category. He returned one of those interceptions 66 yards for a touchdown in a 49-17 victory at Dixie State.
Davis was also No. 13 in the nation in punt returns, averaging 14.9 yards per return. His total punt return yardage (431) was only 20 yards off the GNAC record. In addition, he returned nine kickoff, averaging 26.8 per return. And his 12 passes defended tied for eighth in the GNAC. Davis made 48 tackles for good measure.
For his play, Davis was selected unanimously, as both a defensive back and a punt returner, to the GNAC first team all-conference squad. In addition, Davis was also recently named to the Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region 3 first team, along with CWU defensive end Tovar Sanchez (6-4, 230, Jr., Seattle). Central kick returner Jesse Zalk (5-8, 160, So., Battle Ground) made the second team.
CWU is among 11 teams that can boast having had back-to-back AFCA All-America selections. Senior offensive tackle Mike Nelson was chosen following the 2013 season.
Davis became the sixth Wildcat player in CWU's NCAA Division II era to be selected to the AFCA Division II All-American team, joining Nelson, linebackers Adam Bighill (2010) and Buddy Wood (2009), wide receiver Johnny Spevak (2008), and punter Joe Smith (2003). Davis is also one of just 11 players in GNAC football history named to the AFCA All-America team.
He had been named to the first-team defense on the 2014 D2Football.com Preseason All-America Team.
Davis said, at that time, "The ending result, how I play during the year, will determine if I'm an All-American or not."
In that regard, it's mission accomplished.