Bess to forgo senior season
Ka Leo Sports Desk
University of Hawaii junior Davone Bess announced this weekend his decision to forgo his senior year to enter the National Football League draft. Bess, a three-year starter, finished his career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (293) and touchdowns (41).
“This is an opportunity I felt I couldn’t pass up,” said Bess, who received a second round grade by the NFL Advisory Committee. “It’s been a dream of mine to play in the NFL and I’ve worked hard these past three years to get to this point.”
In his stay at UH, Bess tallied 3,610 receiving yards (2nd), 3,877 all-purpose yards (5th), and 250 points (4th). He caught a pass in all 39 career games played and was the nation’s active career leader in receiving touchdowns. In addition, Bess and quarterback Colt Brennan shared the NCAA record for most touchdown combinations (39) with Louisiana Tech’s Tim Rattay and Troy Edwards.
This season, the Oakland, California native was nominated for the preseason Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best receiver, named to the Associated Press All-America third team and Walter Camp All-America second team as well as first-team all-Western Athletic Conference this season. He led the team with 108 receptions, a new single-season school mark, 1,266 yards receiving, and 12 touchdowns. In their match up against Boise State, Bess set a new UH single-game mark with 15 receptions following a 181 yard performance for two touchdowns.
Bess’ three-year career in Hawaii saw a number of acclamations, including All-America honorable mention on si.com and Freshman All-America accolades from The Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America and rivals.com in 2005, as well as being a three-time all-WAC selection.
“It was a thrill to be a part of something special this past season and I’ll remember what this team accomplished for the rest of my life,” Bess said. “To coach Jones, coach (Ron) Lee and my teammates, I say thanks for making me, not only the player I am today, but the man I’ve become. It’s hard to say goodbye but I can’t thank our fans enough for the support they showed during my career. To them, I say mahalo. I will forever be a part of the great Warrior tradition.”
Bess and the Warrior squad capped a near perfect season with a 12-1 mark by finishing as outright WAC champions and earning the school’s first-ever Bowl Championship Series game appearance against Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
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