TAVARES, Fla. — Tyler Davis wakes up every day grateful for the chance to rise, go to school, and play the game he loves. Now, the Tavares High School senior running back is set to continue both his academic and football career at Concord University, an NCAA Division II program in Athens, West Virginia, where he will study engineering.

Davis leaves behind a storied high school career, amassing 1,986 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns. As a junior, he rushed for 1,283 yards and scored 11. His senior season brought six more touchdowns and several standout performances, and his career included a dozen 100-yard games. He averaged an impressive 5.5 yards per carry over his career.

(Davis worked incredibly hard the past two years and earned an opportunity to play with Concord University at the NCAA Division II level.)

But for Davis, football is only part of the story.

Known affectionately by teammates as “Unc” for his wisdom and leadership beyond his years, Davis has earned a reputation as much for his character as his stats. “I just love helping people,” he said. “It’s my duty to help the younger guys come up to speed because at the end of the day, I want to leave a lasting legacy at Tavares High. I want to set the program up for success.”

That legacy was built on perseverance. In 2020, Davis’s world was turned upside down when his parents, Bruce and Felicia, were seriously injured in a drunk driving crash. Davis stepped up in a major way, pausing his education during his freshman year to care for his family.

“I actually had to stop going to school during my freshman year to help care for my mom and dad,” Davis recalled. “They’ve always provided for me, so it was only natural that I would step up for them in their time of need.”

(Davis is a hard worker both academically and athletically. He is also one of the nicest people you will ever meet.)

The experience brought the family closer. “Life can be taken away at any point,” he said. “We love dancing, hanging out. My dad is a coach at Tavares High, but he’s also my life coach. My parents mean everything to me.”

Despite early academic setbacks, Davis raised his GPA from a 2.0 to over a 3.4 and continues striving for improvement. Off the field, he works as a coach and youth aide at the Eustis Recreation Center, helping with after-school programs and summer camps.

“He’s strong mentally and physically,” said Tavares Head Coach Gavin Jones. “He’s a great leader to have on a team — a resilient hard worker who does what’s asked of him.”

That leadership extends to his role as a big brother. “I have a younger brother, Bruce Jr., who we call JR, and a sister named Aria,” Davis said. “They both look up to me. I try to be the best I can be every day to show them what’s possible with hard work.”

With his commitment to Concord University, Davis is now set to take that work ethic to the next level — both in the classroom and on the field. Davis intends to study Engineering at Concord University.

“I’m thankful for every opportunity,” Davis said. “I know who I do it for — my family, my teammates, and everyone who’s helped me get here.”