2023 in-state safety Micah Davis on PWO commitment to Michigan: ’I took a chance on myself‘

The incredible highs and the unfortunate lows that 2023 Dexter (Mich.) High safety Micah Davis endured in a span of 24 hours ended up being a gentle reminder for the senior.

Even though his school’s dream season ended in heart-breaking fashion in the MHSAA Division II state semifinals on Saturday, Davis will have the special opportunity to continue his playing career for at least another four years in college.

“During the time that I was making the decision and after committing, I was and still am super excited,” Davis told The Wolverine. ”It’s really a dream come true. It’s always tough to lose a game like we did in the semifinals, but looking at back (on my career at Dexter), I couldn’t ask for anything better.

“I think back on all of the big games that I played in with my guys. We all have a good bond together and realize that we did something that was never done before in Dexter‘s history. So we’re trying to look at it from that perspective. Overall, even though it’s been tough, spirits are still high and well.”

Davis will extend his time on the field with not just the university that he grew up watching and supporting throughout his childhood, but also the university that’ll see his longtime friend attend as well.

”It’s amazing and I’m thankful to have so much support from everyone,” Davis said. “From the Dexter coaches, to my friends and family, it’s unbelievable. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”

Davis would announce his commitment to Michigan as a preferred walk-on the night before the semifinals. The Wolverines offered the starting secondary talent and return specialist back in mid-October as he heard from director of recruiting Albert Karschnia right after an impressive defensive outing against rival Saline in week eight.

”I took my visit (last week) and was around Michigan for a little bit before then,” Davis said. ”I’ve been a Michigan fan my whole life. So I sat down, prayed on it for a little bit, and went over everything with my family. I really didn’t know when I was going to commit. But one night, I got home from practice and my family was still feeling good about the decision. My mom then said ’let’s just do it right now.’ It just felt right so I announced it then. It was awesome.”

Davis first went on an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor towards the beginning of the fall season during the non-conference slate. Later, he returned for the night spectacle against Michigan State, then toured the football facilities and met with academic advisors on a private visit with his mother this past Monday.

It was the most recent trip to campus where Davis and his mother were greeted by Karschnia and director of on-campus recruiting Christina DeRuyter, as the pair each went out of their way to supply Davis with preferential treatment.

”(Karschnia) is great,” Davis said. ”He’s super personable. I felt like both me and my mom had a great talk with him and Christiana. They’re super nice people. Albert is a cool and chill dude and I loved hanging out with him.”

Davis also met with Jay Harbaugh individually while on the Monday excursion. Harbaugh, who coaches the safeties and special team units for Michigan, was thorough in his pitch as to how the 6-foot-2 and 185-pounder would be utilized during his time with the Wolverines. The idea is for Davis to remain at safety.

In his senior season, leading Dexter to an undefeated record in the regular season and a final four appearance, Davis compiled 106 tackles, six interceptions, four forced fumbles, and six pass breakups. Starting at wide receiver, Davis notched 17 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned a touchdown on both punt and kickoff.

”Coach Harbaugh is such a super nice guy,” Davis said. ”He’s very personable and I feel like I can talk to him very easily. He made me feel at home and made me feel wanted. There’s just good people at Michigan. With me coming in as a PWO, typically you come in and contribute on special teams. But (Harbaugh) said they have a plan to use me, so hopefully I can immediately make an impact on special teams, then work my way to getting on the field at safety.”

Davis chose the Wolverine over preferred walk-on offers from Michigan State and Eastern Michigan. He collected scholarship opportunities from schools like Butler, Penn, Davenport, Hillsdale, and others as well. But it was the feeling of stepping onto Michigan’s campus as a recruit and the attentiveness from the staff that pushed the program ahead.

“It was a tough decision because I liked those other schools,” Davis said. ”With Eastern, I felt like I had a really good bond with all of the coaches. I was also able to meet all of the players there. MSU was a newer offer so I was getting to know the coaching staff and I liked them too. But when I went to Michigan, it was kind of a different experience. I just felt wanted which made the decision a lot easier.”

Michigan now has two rising seniors soon to be on the roster next season in Davis and On300 running back Cole Cabana, who’s been verbally committed dating back to February. The night that Karschnia offered Davis was the same night that Dexter hosted Mike Hart and Grant Newsome for the win over Saline as they were supporting Cabana. Davis credits Cabana with getting the Michigan assistants to be more aware of his talent.

”Cole definitely did a good job (with recruiting me),” Davis said. “He helped me a lot with even getting the PWO. I think he reached out to (the staff) and kind of gave them my name. They must have thought ’oh, maybe there is something (in me).’ So he helped a lot in that aspect and I just think it’ll be fun to play with him for another four years. I’m really looking forward to that.”

Cabana is expected to enroll in January with Davis following suit in early June.

”I’ve done my fair share of sports with Cole in the past,” Davis said. “I did travel track with him and I think we both do a good job in pushing each other in different aspects. Obviously, he’s blazing fast so it helps working with him because I never beat him (laughs). He’s just really helpful with pushing me because he’s a freak athlete.”

Betting on his own work ethic and motivational mindset is why the choice was made for Davis to arrive and compete for a scholarship at an elite Big Ten program. There’s a lot that he knows will need to be proven in order to achieve that goal but the steps needed to inch closer-and-closer are already well drawn out.

“I’ve always been a fan of Michigan and I love the school,” Davis said. “I know it’s strong academically and I can set myself up (for success after graduation). So I took a chance on myself. I know I’m a hard worker and I know that I’ll be set up with all of the instruments and resources that Michigan provides if I do my part. That includes staying the classroom and weight room, listening to the coaches, and always being on time. I took a chance on going to a big time place like that but I’ll enjoy every part of it and have fun, no matter what.”