ATLANTA -- Four years ago at Northside-Warner Robins High School, Robert Davis caught 11 passes his entire senior season.
He matched that in his first two games in a Georgia State uniform. And he just kept going.
Now the 6-3, 220-pound senior enters his final college game as Georgia State's all-time leading receiver, surpassing records set by Albert Wilson, his teammate that freshman year of 2013.
"Honestly, I've been blessed to be in this situation at Georgia State, coming from the high school situation I came from," said Davis, who played in a run-oriented offense at Northside. "I’ve seen myself come a long way. I feel like I have a long way to go, but I’m proud of what I’ve seen myself be able to accomplish as well as the program in its short history."
Looking back on his rookie season, Davis says, “I remember coming in thinking I wasn’t going to have the opportunity to play much. I remember my first touchdown at Jacksonville State. That’s something I’ll be able to tell my kids and grandkids when I get older. I have a lot of great memories. It would take all day for me to sit here and tell you all of them, but that’s one I remember.”
Davis was asked if there was a particular moment during his freshman year when he felt like he "belonged."
“In my head I still feel like I can be a lot better, so I won't necessarily say I belong, but if I had to label out a specific moment, it was when Keary Colbert, the receivers coach my freshman year, pretty much sat me down in his office and told me I would become a really good player if I kept working hard," Davis recalled. "I appreciate Coach Colbert coming in my freshman year and giving me that background I needed to become a good receiver.”
Interim head coach Tim Lappano took over as Georgia State's wide receivers coach in 2014 and has worked with Davis ever since.
"When I came in he was really raw, but he was very coachable and wanted to get better," Lappano said. "He lived in my office in the offseason and watched film of Calvin Johnson and other receivers I coached. He got better and better every year."
That work ethic, combined with Davis' talent equals a whole lot of catches and yards.
Davis has caught 213 passes for 3,279 yards, easily eclipsing Wilson's records of 175 receptions and 3,190 yards.
In fact, only one receiver in Sun Belt Conference history has more yards than Davis, and that is current NFL receiver T.Y. Hilton, who had 3,531 yards at FIU (2008-11). Davis' 213 catches stand fifth in Sun Belt annals.
Not only has he caught 17 career touchdowns, but they have covered an average of 39.5 yards. He has 10 catches of over 50 yards in his career.
Along with productivity, Davis has been consistent, catching at least one pass in every game he has played. That string of 48 straight games with a reception is tied for the FBS active lead. Davis and teammate Jalen Lawrence will finish with a Georgia State-record 49 games played.
Davis has twice been named All-Sun Belt Conference, including first-team accolades last year, and he should add another all-conference award to his resume next week.
Off the field, Davis has been on the Dean's List, the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and the Sun Belt Honor Roll. The kinesiology major is scheduled to graduate this semester.
But first he will put on the Panther Blue one more time for Georgia State's season finale at Idaho (Saturday, 5 p.m. ET). Enjoy it while you can, Panther fans.
