Micah Davey is a 2021 recruit from University Lab High School in Baton Rouge, La. The 6’1 240 pound linebacker proved his versatility in his junior campaign, having seven TFLs, three sacks, and also two interceptions. Showing not only that he can get to the ball carrier in a hurry, but also drop back into coverage when the play requires it. The son of former LSU and Patriots quarterback Rohan Davey, Micah tells me he has gained a wealth of knowledge on the defensive side of the ball from his father’s time on the offensive side. That knowledge has helped him succeed on the field, and given him the ability to see tendencies in an offense when breaking down film on his upcoming opponents. Davey currently has a 285 pound bench, a 285 clean, and a 400 pound squat. He is currently carrying a 3.2 GPA.
When did you start playing football?
I’ve been playing football as long as I can remember. I started at a very young age. My first team, I was playing for the Bears, I was playing offense. But I really wanted to be making tackles and making hits. I was playing in the BREC league back then.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played basketball, which I stopped about two years ago, and I played baseball. I played left field in baseball, I wasn’t so bad at it, but when it came to hitting I wasn’t so great at it. So my baseball career was kind of short lived.
So when you were in pop warner, and they wanted to try you out at offense, was that because of your dad?
At first, they tried me out at quarterback, and then they moved me to running back. I wasn’t too bad at running back. But I just became a vital player on defense, so they just wanted to keep me there. Keep me on defense as much as possible and as healthy as well. So that was the route I took. But I have successfully started to make a path for myself with that, and I accept that role.
So on defense, have you always played linebacker or did you play any other position?
Growing up, I played defensive end, and that was really the only position I ever played. Because at the time it wasn’t too hard. Because of me being a different size, the defense was pretty easy, defensive end was pretty easy. Then in high school, linebacker was something I really came to love. Playing linebacker was the most important part to me.
Growing up in your household, did you have any conversations with your dad about what to watch for with a quarterback?
My dad being a quarterback has taught me a lot. Knowing him, he knows, not just offense, but he knows defense really well. We don’t just do field work but we do muscle memory, we sit down we go over stuff, we look at film. He does a lot for me.
Going back to this previous season, what were some of your top goals?
My top goals were to do as much as I can to help the team win, and minimize other teams from scoring as many points as possible. I felt like we did a good job closing down people from scoring a lot of points. Like, in the semi-finals game we played De La Salle. The week before De La Salle played Teurlings Catholic and they scored like 45 points, and we held them to 14. So we were good on our end, but we still lost. You look back at it and say that I could have done more. Also, we should have played the team better. Defense is always my favorite part, obviously. Also, as always, it is one thing that I will be working on to make sure that one person isn’t better than the whole team, the whole unit.
What have you been doing to keep yourself in football shape?
I’ve been having training sessions with my dad. I’ve been doing a little bit of training out in Zachary. The team is still together right now, so we can be on the same page and coordinate with each other. So it really hasn’t been too bad, but we really didn’t get as much time as we would like.
You speak a lot of your dad, who would you say are some of your biggest influences?
Definitely my mom. My late grandfather. Because when I was growing up, my grandfather took me to all my practices. He was at every single game. He never missed a game. He was really my big drive and motivation, and when he passed it made me want to go even harder.
So your grandfather was a big motivating factor your life, what motivates you the most?
That’s a good question. Honestly, football was something to keep me active. Then it lit a fire under me, and gave me an outlet. You know growing up in Baton Rouge isn’t easy. No matter what part you are from, and all I had was really school and sports, so I always put one hundred percent into what I do. So after middle school, and I really started to learn the fundamentals and techniques about football, it really showed me the art and crafts of football. Especially at the linebacker position, I think the linebacker position is the most fun on the field.
Who would you say your favorite NFL player is?
My favorite, I have a couple. Mainly defensive guys. Joe Haden, I really like his game. Kam Chancellor, and Ray Lewis, even though he is retired. I like Jamal Adams as well.
What is it about those guys that you like? What sets them apart?
I love how much intensity, and just violence they bring to the defensive side. How they bring everybody together, and how they don’t just look out for themselves and they’ve taken on that leader role.
On a scale of 1-10, what would be your ideal game day performance number be?
My ideal game day performance number would definitely be a ten. I try to play my best every time, that’s what I aim for. But I wouldn’t want to go any lower than an eight, even though I wouldn’t like an eight. I’d prefer a nine or ten. I’m pretty hard on myself and a lot of people say that. When it comes to football.
Speaking of being hard on yourself, what has football taught you about yourself?
Football has taught me how to be patient, and overcome adversity. Because in football a lot of things can be thrown your way, injuries, and stuff like that. Injuries in football teach you how to find yourself as a person, find out what type of person you are. How you bounce and get back up. How patient you are, football humbles you really.
Speaking of being humble, at the end of this season, what would you want your coaches and teammates to say about you?
I would want them to say that I really matured since my freshman year. I want them to say that I’ve become the ideal leader that they always saw in me. The potential and the caliber player that I became to be.
If you weren’t player football, what sport do you think you would be playing?
Definitely basketball. Two years ago before I left, I had a pretty good season in AAU. We went to Nationals in Orlando. I made first team All-American in Division II. I really enjoyed basketball, like basketball was my first passion before football.
