2026 LB Commit Thomas Davis Jr. Talks Notre Dame Return

Thomas Davis Jr.‍ returned to Notre Dame last weekend and the 2026 linebacker commit again enjoyed himself at the Irish’s Junior Day. 

“It was great,” the North Carolina defender said. “I really enjoyed it. I had a great time.

Davis enjoyed listening to Marcus Freeman address the group and the Notre Dame head coach talked about the season the Irish just had. 

“He addressed the fact that we all know only one team can win at all,” Davis recalled. “Notre Dame having the year they had, the adversity they'd gone through injury-wise, an early loss. 

“This is just me talking right now, but he had the fans saying to fire him in Week 2 when we lost to NIU and now we see how much that's turned around. He was basically explaining that the program's only headed for better things.”

Davis committed to Notre Dame back in November and believes everything Freeman said about the trajectory of the program. 

“100 percent,” he said. “I never lost faith in this team. I've been on campus so many times and I see how they do things around here. I know that good things are coming because I can see it firsthand.”

Davis also had a one-on-one meeting Freeman. 

“I had a great time in there,” he said. “I always enjoyed being able to talk to him one-on-one, being able to learn from the coaches and just hear what's going on.”

The Weddington High School standout also spent about 20 minutes talking X’s and O’s with linebackers coach Max Bullough. 

“Just going over film and talking and learning ball with him,” Davis said. 

Davis also spoke with the coaches about their currently vacant defensive coordinator position following Al Golden’s return to the NFL.

“They can't really go into the details of the situation, but I think we can all understand if Coach Al's dream is to be a head coach,” Davis said. “Even as a player committed to what he was telling me, I wouldn't tell him to turn that down; the opportunity to be an NFL defensive coordinator. I'm definitely proud of Coach Al and happy for him and I know he is going to do a great job there. If he ultimately wants to be a head coach in the NFL, I can see him doing that. He's just a great guy. 

“That's the next step for him and that's what he needed to do. And I know that Coach Freeman is going to go out and find the next best of what we can get at defensive coordinator.

Davis also spent plenty of time talking to other visiting recruits like 2026 Florida linebacker Simeon Caldwell.

“I love Simeon,” Davis said. “Simeon is a great kid. I have a great relationship with Simeon already just because I've known him for maybe a year or two now. I met him actually visiting ND and then I've seen him a couple other times. 

“I was just letting Simeon know to come in and help us out on the defensive side of the ball. I've been letting him know he can go ahead and make that decision anytime he wants. I don't know how close or far along he is, but I've definitely been trying to get him.

“He's a great kid. I'm trying to get Simeon.”

Davis didn’t get as much time to speak with Ohio linebacker Jakobe Clapper on this trip, but he’s another target of Davis’.

“We would love to have him on this team as well,” Davis said of Clapper. “We'd love to have him as a part of this class. He's a great football player as well.”

Davis isn’t sure when he’ll return to South Bend, but it won’t be long.

“I don't know when I'll be back again yet, but it definitely will be soon.”

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