Film review: Wendell Davis

Panther-Lair.com contributor Josh Hammack is breaking down the film of Pitt's 2018 recruits, and today he's looking at linebacker Wendell Davis.

First Impression
Davis is a big athletic linebacker who can make plays from sideline to sideline. He has the skill-set to play either linebacker position, but will most likely play at Mike or Money in the Panther scheme.

Strengths
Davis shows good lateral quickness and an ability to shed blockers. He has a good motor and he’s got a quick first step and attacks downhill. As a linebacker, he initiates contact and is able to stop movement by ball carriers.

Areas To Improve
One area that I would like to see Davis improve on is his use of his hands when pressuring the quarterback. At times, Davis is able to get to the quarterback with his natural ability, but at the next level he’ll have to use his hands to shed offensive linemen.

In this clip, you can see Davis make a play on a quick screen on the perimeter. He sheds the block and is able to make the play for a nominal gain. In the second clip, Davis is able to read the screen and elude three would-be blockers to stuff the play for a negative gain. These are the types of plays he will be expected to make as a linebacker at the next level.

What’s the fit at Pitt?
Davis is a perfect fit for the Money or Mike linebacker spots in Pitt’s defense. He has good instincts, can pressure the quarterback and can make plays from sideline to sideline.