Some athletes were great.
Some were dominant.
Then there was Brian Davis.
Before recruiting websites, star ratings, Hudl highlights, transfer portals, NIL deals, and social media hype, Washington High School had a player who was already being talked about as the best football player in America.
Brian Davis was not just a local star. He was a national name.
In 1984, Davis was named Parade Magazine National Player of the Year, an honor that carried the weight of being viewed as the best high school football player in the country. At Washington High School, he rushed for 4,480 career yards while averaging a ridiculous 9.7 yards per carry. That means every time he touched the ball, he was almost giving his team a first down.
But what made Davis different was that he was not just a football player. He was an athlete in the purest sense. He won state championships in basketball and track and field, proving his greatness was not limited to one field, one court, or one season.
By the time his high school career was over, Davis was one of the most highly recruited players in the nation. He eventually signed with Pitt, becoming one of the most anticipated recruits in Panthers history.
For younger WPIAL fans who never saw him play, Brian Davis may sound like a myth. But for the people who were there, he was very real. The speed was real. The power was real. The production was real. The legend was real.
A lot of great players have come through Western Pennsylvania. Hall of Famers. NFL stars. Record breakers. State champions.
But when the conversation turns to the greatest high school football player this region has ever produced, Brian Davis’ name has to be near the top — and for many, it starts with him.
In this week’s Throwback Thursday feature, we look back at the career of Brian Davis, the Washington High School legend who became one of the most celebrated high school athletes in the country.
What was it like growing up in Washington and becoming one of the most highly recruited players in the country?
I was just balling with the boys I grew up with.
When did you first realize football could take you beyond high school?
I never really thought like that. I was just having fun.
Parade Magazine named you National Player of the Year. What did that honor mean to you at the time?
Nothing really.
Many people still consider you the greatest high school football player in WPIAL history. How do you feel when you hear that?
It’s cool, but there are a lot of other people who could have that honor.
You starred in football, basketball, and track. Which sport came most naturally to you?
Actually, baseball. I played baseball before I switched to track because my boys ran track. I pitched and played shortstop and center field.
Washington High School had tremendous success during your career. What made those teams so special?
We grew up together, and we’re still close to this day.
Who was the toughest opponent you faced in high school?
I’d say Jeannette and Beaver Falls. They cheated in the Beaver Falls game.
What was the recruiting process like in the mid-1980s compared to today’s NIL and social media era?
Money.
Why did you choose Pitt?
I was ready to sign with LSU, but my mom gave me a sad story about not being able to see me. The funny thing is, she had free airfare whenever she wanted to come see me.
What was your welcome-to-college-football moment at Pitt?
Boston College. I rushed for 126 yards in the second half.
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently during your college career?
Gone to class more.
Who were some of the athletes you looked up to growing up?
Tony Dorsett, all the Steelers, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Reggie Jackson.
How do you think your game would translate to today’s football?
I don’t really know. The game is different.
What is your opinion on the current state of high school football recruiting?
It’s all about money. But it also gives players a say in what they want to do instead of everything being controlled by coaches.
What advice would you give today’s young athletes chasing college scholarships and big-time success?
Go with your heart, earn it, and don’t keep jumping from school to school.
When people talk about Brian Davis 40 years from now, what do you hope they remember most?
That I was a humble guy and a good friend.