Thomas Davis

Physical Profile

Listed at 6-2, 205 lbs. Taller than 44% and heavier than 25% of 2026 Linebacker prospects in the SEC Scouts database (207 with a listed size).

Play Style

He is a range-and-coverage linebacker. On film he looks most comfortable in space: carrying the tight end or slot up the seam, matching running backs out of the backfield, and triggering on underneath throws, which is where his PBU numbers come from. Against the run he plays fast and flows to the ball from the backside instead of meeting blocks head-on. His safety background shows in his pedal, his hip turn and his ball skills. He is more of a sideline-to-sideline tackler than a thumper.

Strengths

• Coverage: 12 pass breakups and 2 interceptions as a junior (plus 62 tackles, 8 TFL and 1 fumble recovery). Those are unusual ball-production numbers for a linebacker, and Ivins names comfort in coverage as a main trait.
• Proven production at a high level: 92 tackles and 13.5 TFL as a sophomore on Weddington's 2023 state title team, a four-time MaxPreps All-American, and 2024 second-team All-State.
• Positional flexibility and football IQ: he took real snaps at both LB and S in high school, and he grew up around an NFL linebacker. That shows in his eye discipline and in how quickly he played at Notre Dame. He debuted on special teams against Wisconsin on 9/6/2026 as a true freshman.

Areas to Improve

• Play strength and taking on blocks: at 228 he gets washed out by climbing guards. He needs another 10-15 pounds of functional mass to hold up inside against the run, which Ivins also calls his main development area.
• Consistent gap discipline and durability: scouts say his run fits have improved but he still needs polish, and he needs to stay healthy after the labrum injury.

College Projection

Year 1 (2026) at Notre Dame is special teams plus scout team; he is buried on the linebacker depth chart and redshirt eligible. Beat coverage groups him with the linebackers waiting until 2027. A realistic path is rotational weak-side or coverage-down snaps in 2027 once he is around 235-240. That sets up a starting shot as a third- or fourth-year player, matching Ivins's projection of a multi-year Power Four contributor who can become a trusted starter.

NFL Outlook

He is a Day 3 draft candidate with room to rise. The NFL values linebackers who can cover, and his range, length and coverage production match what teams look for in a weak-side or nickel linebacker. If he reaches about 235 while keeping his speed and his shoulder holds up, a mid-round grade is realistic. Special-teams value gives him another way onto a roster. Right now it is too early to call him a high-round prospect: he has not played defensive snaps in college, and 247's own 3-star 90 grade is more cautious than his composite.

Best Fit

He fits best in a four-man-front defense that asks its linebackers to cover, with a weak-side role that keeps him clean of guards and uses his range. Notre Dame's defense suits him well. He would be much less effective as a two-gap middle linebacker in an odd front that asks him to take on blocks every down.