Mikel Davis '22 Recruiting Profile

As a lifelong athlete, I believe my life can be characterized by three words: authentic, dedicated, and excellence. I am authentic because I don't try to be anyone else but me. It is this authenticity that has allowed me to grow into a leader at my school. It has given me a voice that has allowed me to lead my Track and Field team as a Captain my Junior year of high school, to be the “hype” man for pre-game warm-ups for my football team (Sophomore/Junior school years), and has even allowed me, as an African-American student in a predominately white school, to teach others about my culture and to be a voice to educate those who do not understand the struggles African-Americans continue to endure.  As a student-athlete, I am dedicated. I am dedicated to keeping my grades up, to working hard at my part-time job, and to putting in the time and effort it takes to be the best I can be at any sport I play. This dedication often requires me to put in long hours, but the time and effort has paid off as each year I improve in my abilities. My Junior year of high school (2020-2021),  I was privileged to be named First Team All Conference Athlete for football (running back/receiver) and the Missouri Class 5 State Champion for the high jump. I strive to be excellent in everything I do in and out of sports. I have fully recovered from major injuries like an ACL and Meniscus tear. The doctors thought my ACL recovery would take six months to a year and I would not be able to participate in track and field. My desire and dedication allowed me to recover in five months and to compete at the varsity level my Freshman year. This desire for excellence shows through my hard work and love of winning. I will do anything I can to help my team win. My personal stats and numbers have never mattered to me, but what does matter is a winning season as a team. When we win as a team - I win as an individual. It is these characteristics that I will bring with me to the collegiate level - my authentic leadership style, dedication to my academics and sports, and my aspiration of excellence in all areas of my life.