Tristan Davis’ final spring as an Auburn football player hasn’t exactly worked out as planned.

A deep bruise in his right foot cost him 10 spring practices, including the Tigers’ first two scrimmages. He had 17 yards on five carries in last Saturday’s A-Day game, but missed out on three weeks’ worth of chances to impress new coordinator Tony Franklin.

It’s a frustrating situation. But that’s nothing new for Davis.

The AU senior’s career has often been defined by its disappointments. For every high point — like his remarkable runs as a redshirt freshman in 2005, when he averaged 19 yards per carry and topped 150 yards in a win at Kentucky despite splitting time at tailback and safety — there have been frustrating lows.

Despite his big production on offense that season, Auburn’s coaches moved him back to defense the next year. As a defender, Davis was an afterthought: He had 13 tackles in ’06, mostly on punt and kickoff coverage.

But he remained electric with the ball in his hands, setting school records with 756 yards on 28 kickoff returns that season.

So the coaches moved him back to offense in 2007. He was expected to continue to shine as a kick returner and contribute big plays as a backup running back.

Instead, the 2007 season just brought more frustrations.

Teammate Tommy Trott stepped on Davis’ foot early in preseason practice, breaking a bone in Davis’ big toe.

The injury left Davis in a walking boot for six weeks.

But he persevered with his rehab. Though he wasn’t quite 100 percent, he talked head coach Tommy Tuberville into allowing him to return kicks at Florida.

What was supposed to be Davis’ triumphant return ended in yet another bad-luck injury. This time, Davis broke a bone in his foot, a painful injury that sidelined him until the Iron Bowl.

Between the two injuries, Davis managed 42 yards on three kickoff returns. It was a long way from the impact season he’d dreamed of.

But he didn’t waste time feeling sorry for himself.

“At the time, I was like, ‘Why me?’” he said. “Then I started thinking, ‘Well, I’m out for a reason. It’s just God doing something. It was for a reason.’”

And he isn’t bothering with self-pity this spring, either.

In addition to a busy rehab schedule, Davis spent the spring absorbing offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s spread offense.

“I know everything,” Davis said when asked about the offense. “As far as knowing the plays and knowing what to do, I don’t feel like I’m behind at all.”

When Auburn’s medical staff cleared Davis to participate in A-Day, he wasn’t the only one who was relieved. Head coach Tommy Tuberville was also happy to see Davis back in action.

“He’s missed enough practices in the last year to last a long time,” Tuberville said.

And none of Auburn’s players enjoyed A-Day more than Davis.

“It was great,” Davis said. “It was fun for me to get out there and run around.”

It’s a good start.

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