Tate, Zips motor north

The Austintown graduate will play for Akron in the Motor City Bowl.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
AKRON -- If you need proof that Davanzo Tate isn't your typical college football player, consider this: In his first season at Akron after transferring from West Virginia, Tate asked for Charlie Frye's number.
And got it.
"They told me, 'You can have it as long as you do it right,' " said Tate, who also wore No. 5 in high school. "They'll probably retire it [in honor of Frye] after I graduate, but I think I'll be able to finish my career out with it."
Tate, who graduated from Austintown Fitch High in 2003, has played in all 12 games at cornerback for the Zips this season and has been a starter in the last 10.
Three weeks ago, he helped lead Akron to its first Mid-American Conference title when the Zips beat Northern Illinois 31-30 in the league championship game at Ford Field.
On deck
On Dec. 26 at 4 p.m., the Zips (7-5) will return to Detroit for the first bowl game in school history when they take on Memphis (6-5) in the Motor City Bowl.
"It's exciting to be a part of something that's going to make history for Akron," Tate said. "Hopefully this will give us some more exposure."
Tate redshirted his freshman year at West Virginia and expected to compete for playing time with the Mountaineers last fall. But Tate wasn't enamored with his defensive backs coach and decided he needed a change of scenery.
"It was one of those things where I didn't think [the coach] was being fair with me and I felt like he had a grudge or an agenda toward me," Tate said. "I think I took it to heart a little too much."
A year saved
Tate asked head coach Rich Rodriguez for his release (it was granted) but because it came early in the fall semester, Tate was faced with the prospect of sitting out that season and the next because of NCAA transfer rules.
But because Akron is still on quarters instead of semesters, Tate was able to transfer without losing an extra year of eligibility.
"Everything worked out pretty cool with that," said Tate, who was helped in the process by Fitch coach Neal Kopp. "I came close to having to walk on or wait out another year, but things worked out.
"Akron might not be as big or as highly-regarded [as West Virginia], but I feel more comfortable and more a part of the team here."
Moving up
Tate had to shake off some rust this fall -- he hadn't played a real game since his senior season at Fitch -- but after rotating with another corner for the first two games, Tate became the full-time starter in the third game.
"I was kind of rusty and it was frustrating at first because my skills weren't what they used to be," he said. "But things started getting better. I've had to fight through a couple injuries, but that's part of football."
Tate has 35 tackles in five games and has broken up five passes. He's also forced two fumbles and recovered another.
"I'm kind of grateful just to have a second chance," he said. "I'm just hungry to make the most of it."
Tate isn't the only local player at Akron. Senior punter Billy Sullivan, a Niles High graduate, is averaging 39.3 yards per punt and true freshman running back Alex Allen (Ursuline) has seen limited action in all 12 games. Freshman quarterback Tim Zetts (Struthers) was redshirted.
After the Browns drafted Frye in the third round of last April's draft, many expected the Zips to have a down year this season. But the younger players have stepped up and by the time he graduates, Tate wants football fans to remember another No. 5 on Akron's roster.
"It's exciting to be on that big-time stage," he said. "Hopefully I'll make a game-changing play in our bowl game."
scalzo@vindy.com