The final season of college football is rapidly approaching for Rutgers fifth-year senior defensive end Darnell Davis. Last season, Davis was bumped up to the first-team defense and wound up starting eight games.

He would finish with 41 tackles, eight of which were for loss.

Now, after 15 spring practices, Davis has maintained his starting role and is also becoming one of the new leaders on the Rutgers defense.

“I am real comfortable with the defense I have stepped into a leadership role and I have learned from the best guys, those past seniors who have graduated,” Davis said after the spring game. “I also feel real healthy. My body feels good, the defense is clicking and I am excited.”

The seniors Davis was referring to was Julian Pinnix-Odrick and Darius Hamilton, who were both very vocal last season as team captains.

“Those guys are one of a kind. JPO and Darius were great leaders,” Davis said. “We have all learned from them and we miss them as players but we are implementing what they have taught us on the d-line.”

Now, it is Davis’ turn to fill those shoes.

“I do have to take more of a leadership role, but I go about it by leading more by example,” Davis said. “I am not as vocal. I am starting to be more of a speaker. Leading by example helps, but the guys have to hear me. I am getting ready for that, it is a process and it is not easy being a leader. But I think I will be ready.”

Davis has also bulked up in preparation for the season as he has made the jump from 252 to 258 pounds.

“I am bigger and heavier, but I am also stronger and faster. Our strength staff is great and they have been teaching us how to lift and how to train smart. I feel like the weight room has really made us better on the field.”