WEDDINGTON, N.C. (WBTV) – The son of a Carolina Panthers legend officially signed to play college football at an elite program on Wednesday.
Thomas Davis Jr. — better known as “TJ” — signed with Notre Dame on national signing day on Dec. 3. He previously committed to play for the Irish in November 2024.
A star linebacker at Weddington High School in Union County, TJ Davis’ dad is Panthers great Thomas Davis Sr. The elder Davis played 13 of his 15 NFL seasons with Carolina, where he formed an unstoppable tandem with fellow Panthers legend Luke Kuechly and was three times selected to the Pro Bowl. He left Carolina as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler.
TJ was rated a four-star player by recruiting outlet 247 Sports, and was ranked the 18th-best linebacker in the 2026 class. ESPN also rated him a four-star prospect but ranked him the 14th-best at his position. He will join Notre Dame next season.
The younger Davis had nearly two dozen offers, according to ESPN, including college football powerhouses LSU, Michigan, Penn State and Clemson. He had offers from several local schools as well, such as NC State, North Carolina, Wake Forest and Charlotte. Notably, Georgia — his father’s alma mater — did not offer the Weddington star.
At 6-foot-2, TJ is similar in height to his NFL dad but as a senior in high school, has not yet filled out quite as much.
Notre Dame officially signed two other sons of former NFL players on Wednesday, in wide receivers Devin Fitzgerald and Kaydon Finley, whose fathers are Larry Fitzgerald and Jermichael Finley.
Panthers legend Thomas Davis’ son signed to play at Notre Dame.(AP/WBTV)
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