Interview: Recruiting Frenzy over All-American 5-Star LB Ben Davis Hits High Point ahead of Alabama Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Gordo High School linebacker Ben Davis has the type of talent that makes college coaches excited above and beyond the norm. The 6’4”, 240 pound, do-it-all athlete has played running back, tight end, wide receiver, and safety in high school but made a name for himself stuffing opposing Alabama running backs as a linebacker.

During his junior season, Davis came up with 80 tackles, four sacks, two picks, notched a safety, blocked a field goal, and forced two fumbles. On offense he hauled in 12 passes for 300 yards finding the end zone five times. His senior year, by all accounts, was a dream season. The Green Wave went through the regular season undefeated before falling 17-14 to Bayside Academy in the third round of the playoffs. Davis led his team to a 12-1 record coming up with 119 tackles, one sack, and one interception while adding 504 receiving yards with seven touchdowns.

The honors and accolades have always been there for Davis so no one was surprised when he won the MVP of the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, was named first team All-State, selected as an Under Armour All-American, and won Class 3A Alabama Lineman of the Year Award.

The recruiting attention that Davis has received might be a little bit different than what the average senior recruit receives. Football in the south is a religion and one of the national pillars of that church is the University of Alabama. Being a 5-star recruit in the state of Alabama under the shadows of the Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers would make the average person submit under the weight of expectations quickly but Davis has an even bigger push behind him, he is a Crimson Tide legacy. His, father Wane Davis, played linebacker for the Tide from 1983 through 1986.

Wayne left his own legacy in Tuscaloosa setting the school career tackle total with 327. The initial thought is the younger Davis is a shoo-in to be the next great Alabama All-American linebacker but that may not be the case. With over 20 offers on the table, Davis listed Georgia as his frontrunner in December taking an official to Athens on Oct. 16. The other schools that are in the running, based on official visits, appear to be Auburn, LSU, Notre Dame, and Alabama. Notre Dame hosted Davis on Jan. 15, the Tide get their man this weekend, and Auburn get his fifth and final visit on Jan. 29.

Ben has been open about the options recruiting has brought his way and the tough decisions that come with the process. He wanted to announce during the Under Armour All-American Game but will announce before a captive national television audience on ESPN during National Signing Day.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with the highly desired recruit covering his visits to Georgia and Notre Dame while getting a preview of his Alabama trip.

Interview

Ben, you had a great senior season in the stat column. Looking back, are you pleased with how your senior season turned out on a personal level?

“I’m glad everything came through the way it did. I wish we would have won a state championship. We came up short, but I had a great time and it was a great experience for me. I appreciate everything the town and the community has done for me along the way.”

From your junior to senior year, what were some of the strides you made on improving your game at linebacker?

“I think that I got a lot stronger, quicker, and faster overall on both sides of the ball. My reaction skills got better. The more you get out there and play, the more you will learn. I think I got better but I still have a lot of work to do.”

I know Georgia is a big contender for you. How did your October trip to Athens go?

“It went really well. I went down there during the fall, Coach (Mark) Richt (head coach) was still there and Coach (Jeremy) Pruitt (defensive coordinator). (Kirby) Smart (new Georgia head coach) was not there yet. It felt like home to me. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the trip overall.”

You said Georgia felt like home, what stood out to you that gave you that feeling?

“The coaches and the family aspect of it all. Georgia is a special place like Notre Dame. Notre Dame might have been the best trip yet. I enjoyed Georgia while I was there, I watched them play Missouri. They won the game against adversity, it speaks for their toughness and how they always want to win.”

You just wrapped up your visit to South Bend and said the trip was perhaps your best yet. Will you give an overview on your Notre Dame trip?

“It was so – I can’t describe it. You have to be there to see it. There are great people there and they have a great tradition. A lot of the Notre Dame players have been put into the league, they have a lot of Heisman winners. I have a great relationship with the coaching staff and have maintained that great relationship since my ninth-tenth grade season. I keep in touch with them all the time.”

You’re off to Tuscaloosa this weekend. What are you looking for with your official to Alabama?

“I’m looking forward to seeing the coaching relationship with the players and learning more about the academics at Alabama. I’ve been there a lot but I’m interested to see more of the academic side of everything. I want to see everything about the school and see if I can see myself playing there for the next three to four years.”

Four of the five schools you have visited are SEC teams. Is playing in the SEC a big factor for you?

“No, my options are wide open. I’m still trying to decide.”

After you wrap your official to Auburn do you plan on taking an unofficial to any program for one last look?

“I’m still thinking about going back to Georgia. If I do, it will be a mid-week visit but I have not decided on that yet.”

Ben, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Davis family; Ben Davis taking a promotional photo at Notre Dame.

Photo credit: al.com; No. 1 Ben Davis on the field for Gordo High School.