Davis said his goals include leading the nation in sacks and eventually playing in the NFL (photo by Travis Johnston).

Watch SMU linebacker Ja’Gared Davis in practice, and it’s hard to imagine he’s one of the stars of the SMU defense.

But make no mistake: he is. On a unit defensive coordinator Tom Mason expects to be “pretty salty” in 2011, Davis might be the Mustangs’ most dangerous weapon. His nine quarterback sacks last year were the most among SMU defenders by a 2-1 margin (defensive end Taylor Thompson was second with 4.5 sacks). His 16 tackles-for-loss were far and away the most on the Ponies’ defense. Linebacker Pete Fleps, safety Chris Banjo and defensive end Margus Hunt tied for second with 6.5 apiece.

Davis, who earned First-Team All-Conference USA honors in 2010 and Honorable Mention All-America honors from collegefootballnews.com, doesn’t carry himself like a star, though. When the Ponies took to the field in the way-too-early morning hours to begin stretching for their 7 a.m. practice sessions, many players looked like they were in dire need of a large cup of coffee as they shook the cobwebs out of their heads, Davis could be seen laughing with coaches and his more alert teammates, or perhaps even dancing to the music pumping through Gerald J. Ford Stadium in large part to help wake the troops. When players started to line up to stretch with strength and conditioning coach Mel de Laura, Davis trotted over to field punts.

A linebacker fielding punts?

Mason said he has no objection to the idea of Davis, or any of his starters, fielding kicks. Mason’s approach is that injuries are part of the game, so whatever players give the team the best chance for success should play (although head coach June Jones said Davis will not be returning any kicks in the fall). Banjo said that when he accelerates to his top speed, Davis could be as fast as any player at any position in Conference USA.

So while Davis had fun fielding punts during spring workouts, his value to the Ponies remains on defense. Because of his speed, it’s easy to assume that is the only attribute he brings to the SMU defense — not true.

“‘JG’ has learned how to use his hands a lot better,” said offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum, Jr., who sometimes has to block Davis in practice. “It used to be, he could run right by you. But now he can dip (a shoulder) and rip. He’s strong, too — stronger than he looks.”

When protecting a quarterback against a speedy pass rusher like Davis, Beachum said the first goal for a blocker is to get his hands on the pass rusher and try to lock him, to stop him in his tracks. Davis, Beachum said, has made that harder for opposing blockers.

Davis said he has improved by getting stronger and studying elite NFL pass rushers (photo by Travis Johnston).

“One thing he does that you don’t see unless you’re looking for it is he twists his body away from you, so he’s almost coming at you sideways. He takes away the surface area that you see, and gives you less to get ahold of.”

Davis acknowledged that when he first arrived at SMU two years ago, he had little on which to rely outside of his speed. In high school, the multi-sport star often was able to simply beat his opponent based on raw athleticism. To get to his current level, Davis cranked up his work ethic, in the weight room and in film study.

“I’m up to 225 now — a solid 225,” said Davis, who was listed at 206 pounds when he arrived from Crockett (Texas) High School. “I also have been watching a lot of film — more than I ever did before.”

Davis said that in addition to studying his own performance in practice and in games, and films of opposing players, he has started collecting film of elite NFL pass rushers.

“I watch a lot of Julius Peppers, Dwight Freeney, Lawrence Taylor,” Davis said. “Those guys are the best.”

Davis said his improved off-field focus is a result of his desire to reach his personal goals.

“I want to lead the nation in sacks,” he said. “(Clemson defensive end) Da’Quan Bowers had 14.5 last year (to lead the nation), but my goal is higher than that. I’d like to get 18-20.

“(Playing in the NFL) is every player’s dream, and it’s a dream of mine. I have had a lot of conversations with coaches, and with my mom. I realized my future is in my hands. What I do from here on is up to me.”