Today we head to Illinois to profile a 2014 catcher who shows that it’s never too late to be recruited.  She went to an unsigned seniors camp and was discovered by a Big Ten staff who liked what it saw and will bring her in.  Here’s more about her and her background..

 

Name: JORDAN DAVIS
Grad Year: 2014
Pos: catcher/1st base
High School: Glenbrook South (Ill.)
Club: Illinois Sluggers                                                                                 
Stats: 2014-batted with .452, hit .620 with runners in scoring position, 15 doubles, 1.59 pop time personal best, consistently in 1.6’s.
Honors: All-Conference (2013, 2014), 1st Team All-Area (2014)                                      
College: Michigan State

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StudentSportsSoftball.com: You’ve made huge strides in the last couple years to become a Big Ten caliber catcher… what would you say has been the biggest help in your development?
Jordan Davis: My club coach, Coach (Dana) Boehmer, has been the biggest help in my development as a catcher and a player. She’s been there for me through everything and I wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything I’ve accomplished without her.

 

SSS.com: What area of your game would you say is what caught the eyes of scouts, your hitting, defense, leadership, other?
JD:  I think my defense and leadership have caught the eye of most scouts.

 

SSS.com: What is the best part about being a catcher and the toughest?
JD: I think the best part about being a catcher is the ability to be in control and be able to change the pace of the game. The toughest part about being a catcher is getting to know each of your pitchers and all of their personality traits and tendencies.

 

SSS.com: How did Michigan State first find you and describe the recruiting process up until you were offered…
JD: Coach Jacquie Joseph, the head coach, first found me at an unsigned senior combine at the Colorado Fireworks Tournament. She then invited me to a camp on campus and saw my skills and decided to offer me a spot then.

 

SSS.com: When did you decide to commit and what led into the decision?
JD: I committed after the camp while talking to Coach Joseph and my mom in her office.

 

SSS.com: What was going on in your mind when you were committing?
JD: I was extremely relieved because the recruitment process had been extremely long so it was nice to finally be done.

 

SSS.com: Have you signed and if so when?
JD: Not yet, we are figuring all of that out now.

 

SSS.com: How far away from home will be?  Was distance a factor in your decision at all?
JD: It will be about three and half hours away which will be nice so I can see my family if I need to.

SSS.com:  What piece of advice would you give to younger players about the recruiting process?
JD: One piece of advice I’d give young players about the recruiting process would be to start early. It was really stressful being an unsigned senior, I’m so lucky it all worked out!

SSS.com: What’s been a top memory or two for you in your softball career?
JD: One of my favorite softball moments was hitting my first over-the-fence home run. I had gotten extremely close many times but never got it quite over. After I hit my first home run I felt extremely confident.

 

Quick Hitters (short answers)

What do you want to major in at MSU?
Biology.

Fill in the blank… I’m happiest when:_________________
I’m with my family.

What sporting event is of most interest to you and why… Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Championship, other?
World Series, I love watching baseball and following it.

Favorite thing to shop for:
Shoes.

Least favorite food:
Clams.

Favorite movie of all time:
Mean Girls.

Favorite ice cream flavor:
Cookie Dough.

Name one thing you won’t be caught dead doing:
Playing lacrosse.

What’s your dream vacation?
Bahamas.

What type of bat do you use (and why do you like it)?
I use a Xeno because I love the pop off the bat.

What describes you best: class clown, serious student, life of the party, quiet but watchful, leader by example, other?
Life of the party.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
Awesome!

Describe yourself in one word:
I’m allergic to silly string.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with you, what would it be?
My phone.

What’s the best trait in a person?
Honesty.

The worst?
Rudeness.

Other than family, who’s your hero or someone you look up to most?
My coach, Coach Boehmer. She’s always been there for me and has taught me so much about the game of softball and life in general.