ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

	AP Photo/Michael Dwyer
	BC safety Wes Davis, seen here in 2006, is recovering from spinal surgery he had last season to challenge for a starting job this year for the Eagles.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- The fact that Boston College safety Wes Davis is even challenging for a starting job right now is impressive.

Last season, less than a week after Buffalo Bills tight end Kevin Everett sustained spinal-cord injuries during a game, Davis was flat on his back at Georgia Tech, unable to feel his arms or legs.

"I was consciously thinking about him," Davis said of Everett.

It was a freak injury that resulted in reconstructive surgery on Davis' spine. He missed the rest of the 2007 season, but is now in contention to take over for Jamie Silva, who finished with a team-high 125 tackles and eight interceptions.

Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski said Davis and Marty Bowman are more "athletically gifted" than Silva was.

With a huge grin, Davis politely and humbly begged to differ.

"The thing is, Jamie would say what is athleticism based off of?" Davis said. "If it's based off of 40-time bench press and possibly size, maybe, but if if it's based off of intelligence, instincts and how to play football, I'd say not yet. When I have 120 tackles and eight interceptions, then I'm more athletic than Jamie Silva."

We'll find out this season what he can do, but he's already made one heck of a comeback.