2026 Notre Dame LB Commit Thomas Davis Jr. Breaks Down Decision

In the end, the decision for Thomas Davis Jr.‍, to commit to Notre Dame was a relatively simple one.

“They checked every box that I personally had on my criteria of every school that I've been to,” the 2026 North Carolina linebacker told Irish Sports Daily. “So, it was a no-brainer for me.

“Development - both football and non-football wise - family environment, stable coaching staff, how my position is looking, how good the team is, the area. It was all of that.”

The Weddington High School standout announced the decision on Nov. 12th, just days after his first game day visit to South Bend.

“That was the last piece because I'd been to everything else,” the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder said.

Irish head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive coordinator Al Golden and linebackers coach Max Bullough played key roles in Davis’ decision to choose Notre Dame over schools like Auburn, Clemson, LSU, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State among several others. 

“Just the personalized relationship that Coach Freeman has with all his players,” said Davis. “And then Coach Bullough, Coach Golden, those are all high-level football minds who I feel I could definitely get something big out of learning from them.”

Davis informed the staff around 10:30 p.m. one night earlier this month.

“They were really excited,” he said. “They were all very excited. I got FaceTimes from them. It was a big moment for them.”

And he feels the same way.

“I'm extremely excited,” said Davis. “I'm just grateful to be in the position and excited to see where I can go from here.”

Choosing early was intentional so that he could shift from recruit to recruiter.

“Being able to lead the class and just bring more people to the team,” he said of what he made such an early commitment. “Go out and help them recruit even more people by being the first one really on defense.”

And he’s already started.

“Oh, of course,” Davis said. “There's a kid out of Philly, Pennsylvania, Joey O'Brien‍. I've definitely been after him heavy. I know they like him and personally, I wanted to try to help recruit him because he is a great player.

“He's a great kid off the field, and he's what you would call a 'Notre Dame kid,' just talented, respectful. I immediately went after him knowing that he's on the board.”

Davis has also already begun the process of getting to know his fellow Irish commits like 2026 quarterback Noah Grubbs‍ and 2026 receiver Dylan Faison‍.

“Me and Noah are real close. We've been talking often, and then I spoke to Dylan a little bit too and then some of the '25 commits as well.”

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