LB Thomas Davis Jr. shuts down recruitment, reaffirms Notre Dame commitment

Matthews (N.C.) Weddington linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. announced Wednesday afternoon that he is shutting down his recruitment.

The four-star prospect committed to Notre Dame last November but took an official visit to Georgia at the end of May. But after his official visit this past weekend, Davis decided to fully lock back in with the Fighting Irish.

“I’m locked in,” he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett. “This place is special, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. I’m excited for this journey. Go Irish!”

While this was an expected development, it’s still a big one. Davis was a crucial Notre Dame target from the get-go and has been a lead recruiter for the Irish in the 2026 cycle. His flipping would’ve been a disaster scenario, but with this update from Davis, that won’t be happening.

There was some level of concern though with Georgia, especially considering that his father, Thomas Davis Sr., played for the Bulldogs. Also, it’s been several years since a Notre Dame commit took official visits elsewhere and then signed with the Irish.

It’s still possible that Davis could flip considering signing day is six months away, but it’s highly probable that he will buck the trend.

“It was awesome,” Davis told Blue & Gold about his Notre Dame official visit. “All of the guys bonded really well, and we had a great time. It felt great to be back at home, and I think the weekend will pay off and be successful recruiting-wise.”

Davis, who checks in as the No. 183 overall player and No. 11 linebacker in America according to the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking, had his recruiting hat on during the trip.

“We have a really good shot with the uncommitted guys,” Davis stated. “That was awesome — Kaydon Finley, Joey O’Brien, Devin Fitzgerald, Khary Adams — it was great.”

Notre Dame has one other linebacker pledge in the 2026 class, coming from Cincinnati St. Xavier’s Kobe Clapper.

More on Thomas Davis Jr.

During his sophomore season in which he played a key part in Weddington winning the Class 4A North Carolina state championship, Davis totaled 92 stops (13.5 tackles for loss), 1 sack, 7 quarterback hurries, 1 interception, 8 pass break ups and 1 forced fumble across 16 games.

He put up a strong junior campaign last fall, posting 62 tackles (8 for loss), 10 quarterback hurries, 2 interceptions, 12 pass break ups and 1 fumble recovery in 13 contests. He’s already logged 185 career tackles.

Notre Dame sees Davis as a versatile linebacker who can play all over its defensive front.

“It seems like when the moment gets bigger, Thomas plays better,” Weddington head coach Andy Capone previously said. “Sometimes, he seems to be in the right place at the right time. … But he puts himself in those situations because of his instincts. He’s never shied away from making a big play.” 

His father played 16 years in the NFL, mostly with the Carolina Panthers. He had a terrific pro career coming out of Georgia as a first-round draft choice, reaching the Pro Bowl three times and earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2015.