Carrollwood Day's Robert Davis commits to Cincinnati (with video)

Carrollwood Day running back Robert Davis, who picked up his first BCS offer a week ago, is sticking with that first big offer.

The rising senior, who has a chance to  break the Hillsborough County career rushing record this fall, told the Times exclusively Monday  that he's committing to Cincinnati.

In the past two seasons, Davis has rushed for 3,355 yards. He needs 1,966 to surpass Riverview's Avious Steadman (5,320 yards from 1998-01) as the career leader in Hillsborough County.

"I liked all the schools that offered me, but I want to be a Cincinnati Bearcat,'' Davis said, adding that the school said he will play running back. "I thought a lot about where I wanted to spend the next four years, and Cincinnati is the place."

Davis had a breakout season in 2011, rushing for 1,832 yards (over 13 yards a carry) and 25 touchdowns and scoring five other TDs via pass reception and kick and interception returns. His junior season included seven games with at least two touchdowns, and four 200-plus yard outings, including a 326-yard effort against eventual Class 2A state runnerup Admiral Farragut.

Though he has consistently clocked 4.3s and 4.4s at showcases and combines, questions still persisted about Davis' size (5-9, 170 pounds) and level of competition, but he thinks he has answered those.

"At a certain point in time I was just thinking to myself I might have to make a decision between three offers,'' Davis said. "I'm not at a big school such as the Armwoods and the Plants, where there's a lot of kids out there getting recruited and I'm getting the ample opportunity to have the light shined on me.

"But I decided to go to Carrollwood Day School and make a name for myself. And the coaches that came there to see me saw that I am a guy, and a student, who is willing to work hard in and out of practice. I think that's when some more offers started coming in.''

Davis chose the Bearcats over Ball State, Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Holy Cross, Middle Tennessee, North Texas and Presbyterian.

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• Carrollwood Day School