Davis Sherwood Earns Notre Dame Scholarship Through Fullback Role

Davis Sherwood saw the field in 12 games and registered three tackles as a freshman for Notre Dame in 2021. 

Not bad for a walk-on, right? 

The 6-foot-3, 228-pounder is no longer a walk-on as Sherwood is now on scholarship and has bragging rights in his family for the time being. 

"I'm the youngest of eight kids,” stated Sherwood. “My parents came from decent backgrounds and really forged their way. My dad is a doctor and I have huge shoes to fill. I've got four older brothers who are all doctors. Two played college sports, one played lacrosse at North Carolina and one played tennis at Wake Forest. Growing up, I was always looking up to them and the only way I could do that was to work hard." 

The hard work paid off as earning a scholarship from Notre Dame was always a goal for the North Carolina native and played a significant part in his decision to play for the Fighting Irish. 

"For me, it's been a dream come true,” explained Sherwood. “It's one of the big reasons I decided to come here and take a chance to see if I could earn a scholarship. I was always a lifelong fan. My mom went here and I always grew up wanting to play here. Sometimes I doubted it, sometimes I didn't, but I always worked towards it.

"It wasn't a big moment - my world didn't change because I kind of felt I was a scholarship player with how they treated me and how I worked every day. It's an accomplishment of one of those milestones I've always been working for and something I had written on whiteboard ever since I decided to come here two Aprils ago." 

Sherwood’s work on special teams stood out a year ago, but this year he moved from linebacker to a fullback and tight end. And he hasn’t disappointed as the more work Sherwood gets, the bigger his role gets. 

"His work on special teams and his value as a special teams player on our roster, along with his value as his niche in our tight end room, had put him in position to where when things lined up to be the guy that earned the right,” said Notre Dame tight ends coach Gerad Parker. “We're happy for him and it's something he did himself. He should be very proud." 

When talking to his teammates, it becomes very clear that Sherwood’s physical presence is felt every day on the practice field. 

All-American tight end Michael Mayer has been impressed with Sherwood’s blocking and will to do the dirty work. 

“He brings an aspect of grit, a little bit of toughness, taking dudes out, blocking dudes, and pancaking dudes,” stated Mayer. “He's just a good all-around player. He's going to be great for us." 

Junior tight end Kevin Bauman also believes the fullback role is the perfect role for Sherwood’s crazy personality and will to hit his opponent. 

“He has smarts, but also, he's that hammer,” Bauman explained. “He's done an incredible job of filling in that fullback role where since I've been here, we haven't had a true fullback role until this year. 

"His ability to get low, come in on back blocks and stuff like that - he just brings the hammer and he loves doing it. He's kind of crazy, but we love him for it. He loves his role and he's going to be a big part for us this season." 

And as you’d expect, Sherwood himself enjoys the game of football and takes pride in being the guy who will run through a wall if asked. 

"Yeah, I like to hit people,” said Sherwood. “I have to keep my head up a little bit, but I like to hit people. I guess I'm not afraid to hit someone with my head a little bit. In that sense, I'm the typical fullback, but I like to think I'm a little more athletic than the old school fullbacks. In terms of a stereotypical fullback running into a wall and hitting someone, that's what I'm going to do." 

Under Armour Notre Dame Fighting Irish Military Appreciation Training Long Sleeve T-Shirt