Western Michigan freshman Corey Davis stands out among a host of young Broncos

KALAMAZOO – Prior to Western Michigan’s 26-13 loss Friday at Michigan State, freshman wide receiver Corey Davis had never played a down of college football.

Aug 30, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos quarterback Zach Terrell (11) is sacked by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) and Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Micajah Reynolds (60) during 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 26-13. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Now the entire Mid-American Conference is watching him against visiting Nicholls State on Saturday to see how he follows up last week’s eight-catch, 96-yard performance.

“There’s no stage that’s too big for Corey Davis,” WMU coach P.J. Fleck said Monday. “He’s a very confident young man. He just wants to play the game. His mentality is always tough.”

That’s not to say Davis is a complete product. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver only has one offseason in the Broncos’ program with nothing but upside to take advantage of going forward. Despite scoring a touchdown in his debut game, Fleck said there are areas in Davis’ game that must be improved.

“I think he needs to become more consistent in his techniques and fundamentals,” the first-year coach said. “He will, and he’s developing those. When you look back at him, it’s more fundamentals and techniques that we’ll continue to develop with him.”

Davis will go up weaker competition Saturday, but he’s already proved, at a young age, he can handle his own against the toughest competition.

“When you talk about how hard that kid played, he went against (Michigan State cornerback Darqueze Dennard), which is one of the best corners in the country, and I thought he held his own, if not beat him most of the team,” Fleck noted.

That’s a strong performance review for Davis, as Dennard finished with two tackles and three pass breakups.