The Notre Dame Fighting Irish scored a major recruiting victory on Tuesday night, landing a commitment from one of the nation’s top junior prospects—outside linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound star from Weddington High School in North Carolina chose the Irish over offers from college football powerhouses like Ohio State, Tennessee, Michigan, UNC, NC State, and Oregon.
Davis Jr. is ranked as the No. 126 overall prospect in the ESPN Junior 300 for the class of 2026. He’s the son of former University of Georgia All-American and 16-year NFL veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, who was selected 14th overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2005 NFL Draft. The elder Davis earned All-Pro honors in 2015 and was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2014.
A Legacy of Greatness
By committing to Notre Dame, Thomas Davis Jr. is poised to follow in his father’s footsteps and make his own mark on the gridiron. In his first two high school seasons, the younger Davis has already amassed an impressive 123 total tackles, showcasing the instincts, athleticism, and football IQ that have made his dad a respected figure in the sport.
“He’s a chip off the old block,” a source close to the Davis family told ESPN. “TJ has grown up around the game and learned so much from his father. He’s got all the tools to be a special player at the next level and beyond.”
The junior linebacker’s pledge came just days after visiting South Bend for the Irish’s dominant 52-3 win over Florida State last weekend. The electric atmosphere in Notre Dame Stadium and the chance to play for a storied program clearly made an impact on the coveted recruit.
Momentum Building for Freeman, Irish
Landing Thomas Davis Jr. continues an impressive recruiting stretch for third-year head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff. Just one day prior to Davis’ announcement, the Irish flipped four-star running back Nolan James from Boston College in the 2025 class. James, another recent visitor for the FSU game, is ranked as a top-300 overall prospect in his own right.
With Davis in the fold, Notre Dame now holds commitments from three players in the rising junior class:
- 4-star QB Noah Grubbs (No. 140 overall)
- 4-star LB Thomas Davis Jr. (No. 126 overall)
- 3-star WR Dylan Faison
The 2026 group is off to a strong start for Freeman & Co., while the Irish’s 2025 class currently ranks 15th in the nation per ESPN. That haul already features nine ESPN 300 prospects, underlining the program’s ability to attract top talent on a consistent basis.
Building for the Future in South Bend
The addition of an elite defender like Thomas Davis Jr. is a major boost for a Notre Dame program aiming to regularly compete for College Football Playoff berths and national titles. His advanced football pedigree, physical tools, and high school production point to a player who could make an instant impact in the Irish’s defensive scheme.
While Davis still has two high school seasons ahead of him, his early commitment is a promising sign for the future of Notre Dame football. If he can live up to his lofty potential and help the Irish stack more talent around him, the golden domes of South Bend may soon be the site of championship celebrations once again.
For now, Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish faithful will be eagerly tracking the development of their newest pledge. The chance to mold a potential defensive star with NFL bloodlines is an enticing proposition—one that could lay the foundation for continued success in the years to come.
