Injuries can be the downfall of a college football season within a program, especially when they pile up as they have for Ohio to start the 2026 season. The big issue has been in the quarterback room, with both starter Nick Poulos and backup Matt Vezza missing time this season.
One player who knows how injuries affect sports careers is freshman Levi Davis. Davis, who grew up in Lewis Center, was a four-year letterman and two-time captain for Olentangy Orange High School in Columbus, Ohio, where he threw for 7,292 yards and 94 touchdowns, while also rushing for 3,108 yards.
Experience plays a huge role when jumping into a critical situation or a big moment, especially when you are a freshman making a jump from high school to college athletics. However, Davis was thrown into the fire during the Bobcats' 29-27 quadruple overtime win against their week two opponent, Jacksonville State. His first snap from scrimmage was a bootleg left, and the Athens faithful roared as he sprinted toward the pylon.
After review, he was called short of the end zone, but the freshman stepped right back to the huddle and helped Ohio close out regulation with a touchdown to force overtime. Davis then put the cherry on top of the comeback effort when he ran in the go-ahead 2-point conversion, leaving his mark on the hometown crowd.
Vezza was named the week three starter against South Alabama, but once the game got away from the Bobcats, Davis was called on by Head Coach John Hauser to play the fourth quarter. Davis came in looking polished. He led two touchdown drives to put Ohio back within a score.
The first drive went 63 yards. It started with three first-down runs and a pass to sophomore wideout Riley Neer. Neer has connected well with all three quarterbacks so well so far this season, and Davis seemed to pick up this chemistry well.
Davis also looked for redshirt sophomore receiver Dom Dorwart, and then to redshirt sophomore tight end AJ Miller to cap off the drive.
The second drive was more of the same for Davis, who kept rolling down the field with poise. Davis found Dorwart again, this time for a three-yard score. This touchdown capped off a second very strong outing for the freshman, whose name may need to be in the conversation moving forward, even if Poulos or Vezza can make their way back on the field this year.
Davis has completed over half of his passes, for 122 yards and the two passing touchdowns on Saturday night. The bigger thing Ohio fans should consider is the intangibles that he has shown through two games. His composure and demeanor in big moments to this point should put him in the running to contend for the starting job, despite his third-string designation when this season began.
