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Notre Dame Football: Irish favorites to land Ben Davis after official visit?

By Bobby Norell

Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight outside line backer Ben Davis (right) tackles Team Armour running back Miles Sanders during the first half of the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game at Orlando Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight outside line backer Ben Davis (right) tackles Team Armour running back Miles Sanders during the first half of the 2016 Under Armour All-American Game at Orlando Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ben Davis is one of the most highly touted recruits in the nation. If the Irish can snag him it would help them replace the loss of Jaylon Smith.

Notre Dame football hosted one of the most coveted recruits in the country in five-star linebacker, Ben Davis over the weekend as the Fighting Irish look to secure his commitment by National Signing Day.

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Davis is a 6’4″, 240-pound from Gordo, Alabama. According to Rivals, Davis is the No.1 rated linebacker in the country and the No. 5 player overall. Going into the visit the Irish were No.4 on the Alabama native’s top five schools, and the only non-SEC team.

Davis’ official visit to South Bend appears to have made quite an impression on the blue chipper and according to UHND.com, Notre Dame is in his top three.

“Notre Dame definitely helped themselves. They were towards the bottom of the list but now they are definitely in my top three. Like I said, I definitely had a great time. I learned a lot. It’s way nicer than I thought. I’ve got a whole different perspective on Notre Dame right now.”

So now that the Irish have vaulted themselves into Davis’ top three, can they actually sign him? One would have to say their chances are a lot better than what they were before the visit.

If Brian Kelly and the Irish can land Davis he would immediately have a chance to play right away. While Nyles Morgan is considered the early favorite to win the middle linebacker position, Davis could throw a wrench into that if he ends up committing to Notre Dame.

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The way Davis described the way coaches see him as a three-down linebacker, it sounds very similar to Jaylon Smith. Over his career, especially in his last two years, the Irish were able to play Smith all over the field.

Even after the successful visit, the Irish are probably still considered a bit of a long shot to land the five-star prospect. The newly crowned national champion and Davis’ home state team Alabama Crimson Tide are still considered the favorites, but don’t count the Irish out just yet.

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