DeKALB | Tommy Davis is used to being all over the football field.

NIU’s hard-hitting strong safety roams the secondary looking to hold opposing offensive players in-check and also handles punt return duties.

Davis took some time to talk with the Northern Star about being named to the Paul Hornung Watch List, having to play two positions, and the pressure of being labeled as the favorites of the MAC.

Northern Star: How do you feel about being on the Paul Hornung Watch List?

Tommy Davis: Obviously it’s an honor. It’s a nice list to be on. Anytime you’re on a pre-season watch list, you’re proud of it, but the biggest thing is trying to get out here and work hard and be ready to help this football team.

NS: Is it difficult playing the strong safety position along with returning kicks?

TD: I’ve been used to it. In high school, I did a lot of things like returning kicks and playing defense. So the transition to college you do the same thing so it’s not as hard as people think if you’ve been doing it for as long I’ve been doing it. But it’s fun; you want to help out the team as many ways as you can, and it’s nice being able to contribute in more than one aspect of the game.

NS: Was it kind of hard getting used to going against the no-huddle offense during practices at first?

TD: We’ve played so many no-huddle teams, so throughout last season we played a lot of teams like that, so you get used to it. But as far as our offense, we go at an exceptional pace. I mean, those guys get lined up and they go, and it’s good for you because in practice they can kind of go a little bit faster than anybody goes during the games.

NS: With the no-huddle offense, there’s a big opportunity for them to score quickly and often, and as a defense you might be on the field a lot longer. Do you guys worry about being tired on the field and not being fresh?

TD: That’s what our strength and conditioning staff is for. They did a great job during the summer getting us prepared and ready to go, and there’s no question we’ll be ready to go before the season.

NS: Is it hard having the spotlight on you guys as the MAC favorites?

TD: You got to be focused. You know, it’s so easy to lose focus in college football because it is a lot of hype, and there’s so much stuff going on around you. It’s hard to go out there and play when you’re worried about the spotlight and the media and everybody looking at you. You just got to go out there and play.