Rutgers’ Davis makes it official, bolts for NFL

Over this past weekend, it was reported that Rutgers offensive tackle Anthony Davis would announce this week that he was foregoing his final season of college ball and making himself available for the 2010 NFL draft.

Today, that report became a reality as Davis announced at a press conference this morning that he will indeed be leaving the Scarlet Knights a year early.

Here’s the press release from the school officially announcing Davis’ intentions. But first, let us remind you that you can track all of the early entries right HERE. After you check out Rotoworld’s bowl pick’em contest right HERE, of course.

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Anyway, here’s the release:

Junior All-America offensive lineman Anthony Davis (Piscataway, N.J.) has elected to forego his final year of eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL Draft. Davis becomes the third player in the Greg Schiano era at Rutgers to leave school early and enter the NFL Draft.

Ray Rice left Rutgers following his junior season in 2007 and was a second round draft selection of the Baltimore Ravens in the 2008 NFL Draft. Kenny Britt declared for the 2009 NFL Draft and was a first round pick of the Tennessee Titans.

During Davis’ three-year career “On the Banks,” he was named a Second Team All-America selection in 2009 by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the nation’s oldest All-America team. Davis also collected Third Team All-America accolades by the Sporting News following the 2009 season.

Davis was the third Scarlet Knight to earn a spot on the prestigious Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America team. Running back Ray Rice was a two-time Second Team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Football Foundation in 2006 and 2007 while tight end Marco Battaglia was a Walter Camp Football Foundation First Team All-America honoree in 1995.

Davis, a 2009 All-BIG EAST First Team honoree, was named a Freshman All-America in 2007.

The Piscataway native started 32 career games for the Scarlet Knights, including 21 of the last 22 contests. He was part of three Scarlet Knight teams that captured bowl championships, starting in all three bowl victories.

Davis came to Rutgers as one of the nation’s most decorated high school players. A three-year starter at Piscataway for head coach Dan Higgins, Scout.com listed Davis as the nation’s second-ranked offensive tackle and a five-star recruit. Rivals.com ranked Davis as one of the nation’s top 100 recruits and he was a Parade First-Team All-American. Considered by most recruiting services the top prospect in New Jersey, Davis was the first No. 1 prospect in the Garden State to sign with Greg Schiano at Rutgers.