MEADVILLE — Miles from home and an even a time zone away, DeAndre Davis is preparing for a season full of big expectations.

The Franklin County native and starting senior defensive end of the New Mexico Lobos will be suiting up for his final college football season one he hopes isn’t his last on the gridiron.

“I’m really looking forward to this year,” Davis said. “We’ve got a good team. Hopefully I’ll do good enough to get some pro looks or something too. That’s always been my goal.”

Davis a 6-3, 265-pound right side defensive end for the Lobos has been going through summer drills and conditioning with the team since injuring his arm in the spring. Last year Davis saw action as a back-up defensive end playing in all 11 games and leading all reserve defensive linemen with 24 tackles, a pass break-up, and three tackles for loss yards.

Training camp opened last week for Davis and the New Mexico team and so far he’s been impressive, working with the first string defense. The Lobos open the 2009 season at Texas A&M on Sept. 5.

“Our coaches have been getting us ready,” said Davis, who is the son of Tony and Sharon Davis of Franklin County. “It’s a long season but its always fun. It’s college football.”

New Mexico is a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos have switched from a 3-5-3 defense to a 4-3 alignment, which is sweet music for Davis.

“I like the 4-3,” Davis said. “It’s like what I played in high school.”

New Mexico recruited Davis out of Co-Lin in 2006 as a tight end, but moved him back to his natural position at defensive end after red-shirting him in 2007. Davis played defense at Franklin County in 2004 and again last year. He graduated FCHS in 2005.

“I’ve always like that spot,” said Davis about defensive end. “It’s a fun position.”

Davis’ goals for the season, include his Lobos going to a bowl game. He also hopes to get an invite to an All-Star game like the Senior Bowl and maybe even the NFL Combine.