The most celebrated athlete in Iowa State history is preparing to make the jump to professional status. If all goes as expected, Troy Davis, former Cyclone running back, will be drafted into the National Football League on Saturday.

Iowa State Head Football Coach Dan McCarney and the rest of the Cyclones are full of anticipation. “We are all really anxious and excited for Troy’s sake,” McCarney said.

The former ISU tailback became the first sophomore in NCAA history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season during his 1995 campaign, and is the only player in NCAA history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He led the nation in rushing both seasons, accumulating 2,010 yards his sophomore year and bettering that mark his junior year with 2,185 yards.

Davis was a Heisman candidate in both seasons, and runner-up for the award in 1996. He has been widely compared to many past collegiate gridiron greats including Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders now of the Detroit Lions and Archie Griffin, former Ohio State great.

Despite Davis’ record-setting performances in college, most “draft experts” in the media are not expecting a high draft pick for the former Cyclone. In fact, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has projected Davis as only the seventh running back that will be selected in the draft. Some even speculate that Davis might not be a top 50 pick.

McCarney said that it will be these low expectations that could give one NFL team a great deal on an “extremely durable and hard working” running back. “Who ever gets him is going to be real happy,” McCarney said.

Davis does not want to speculate on where he will end up. “Some people say I’ll go here, and some say I’ll go there, but I just have to wait and see,” Davis said. “You never know what is going to happen on draft day. I just want to get on a team and start running plays.”

Even though there are those who don’t expect Davis to be a high pick in the draft, there are also those who think he is one of the best running backs going into the draft. ISU starting fullback Joe Parmentier has become one of Davis’ biggest fans after spending a season blocking for him.

“Troy deserves everything. [He] deserves a No. 1 pick, deserves all the money, and he is a great player,” Parmentier said. “I’ve never seen anyone better than him.”

Parmentier agrees that the team who lands Davis on its roster will be getting a good deal.

“Whatever team gets him is going to have a great running back,” Parmentier said.

One of the reasons cited for Davis not being a high pick is his size, but Parmentier said Davis’ size is one of his greatest attributes.

“His size is great. It’s hard for anyone to get a shot at him because he is so low to the ground,” he said.

McCarney said just going to the NFL can be an open door for success. “Bottom line is Troy’s going to get a great opportunity whether he goes in the first round or the fourth round,” McCarney said.

“I’d like to see him go high, but if he doesn’t then somebody will take him and he’ll just have to prove himself again,” Parmentier said. “I’ll put my money on him every time and he’ll prove it. He’ll be the best.”

Football is a family affair where Davis is concerned.

His family is full of talented athletes. Davis’ younger brother Darren is currently fighting for a starting position on next year’s Cyclone roster.

Both of the Davis brothers said they know the jump into the NFL is an important step financially for the family.

“It means a lot,” Darren Davis said. “It’s going to be nice.”

“They [my parents] could never afford to come see all my games and I want them to go see all of Darren’s games,” Troy Davis said.

No matter when the former Cyclone is drafted, or where he ends up, his family, his former coach and his former teammates say he has what it takes to make it at the next level.

“People were born to do certain things. Einstein was born to be smart. Michael Jordan was born to play basketball, and Troy Davis was born to play football. He is the greatest,” Parmentier said.