5-Star Alabama Legacy Ben Davis Details the Latest in His Recruitment
Auburn secured a significant recruiting victory Sept. 4 when top-ranked in-state defensive end Marlon Davidson committed to the Tigers, catching attention from a fellow 5-star Alabama standout.
"Knowing that he's going to play down there definitely bumps Auburn up for me," linebacker Ben Davis told Bleacher Report. "Marlon and me are best friends. We're like brothers. Auburn was already one of my top schools, but that's a big deal."
Davidson, a 6'4", 260-pound prospect from Greenville High School, is already putting in recruiting work with his buddy.
"We've been talking and texting back and forth since Marlon committed. He definitely wants me there too, but I'm not picking a school anytime soon. I'm focused on setting up visits," Davis said.
The Gordo High School senior, rated 17th overall and No. 1 among inside linebackers in 2016 composite rankings, expects to utilize all five official visits. Davis, considering dozens of scholarship offers, is entering a pivotal stretch of a high-profile recruiting process.
"I'm going to sit down with my family during the next few weeks and decide what's best for me. I'll put together a top-five list, and those are the schools I'm going to visit," he said.
Davis identified Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Alabama and Auburn as his strongest contenders at this stage, though he admits it's a very fluid situation.
"Things could change in the next few weeks," Davis said. "There's a lot to think about."
He mentioned Notre Dame and USC as possible destinations beyond the Southeast region, though most analysts expect him to end up in the SEC. Family ties near Georgia and a strong relationship with the LSU coaching staff are key factors among conference contenders.
His father, Wayne Davis, is the Crimson Tide's all-time tackles leader. Every prediction in 247Sports' Crystal Ball projects him to sign with Alabama.
Despite his status as a decorated program legacy, Davis maintains he doesn't feel immense pressure to attend college in Tuscaloosa.
"My parents tell me all the time, wherever I choose they're going to be behind me 100 percent," he said. "The most important thing is to find the best fit where I feel comfortable."
Davis, a 6'3", 240-pound playmaker, predominately lines up at middle linebacker in high school. That's exactly where LSU, Alabama and Florida State envision his future, while Auburn and Georgia have left the door open for a role along the outside edge.
"I see myself as a team leader at the heart of a defense," Davis said. "I'm a guy who works every day to make my teammates better."
The same can be said for Lyndell "Mack" Wilson, another 5-star Alabama linebacker who holds offers from Auburn and the Crimson Tide. Davis explained he wants to be a "package deal" with Wilson on national signing day.
Throw in the fact that Wilson played alongside Davidson last season at Carver High School, and it becomes apparent how paramount the Tigers' latest commitment could ultimately become.
Davis calls them "The Trio" and continues to express serious interest in teaming up with both defenders for the next few years. He plans to attend the Iron Bowl at Auburn in November a year after heading to Tuscaloosa for the annual matchup.
His father's history at Alabama and a longstanding relationship with Nick Saban doesn't prevent Davis from imagining playing in the Iron Bowl as a Tiger.
"If I was with Auburn, I'd be pumped up for it more than any other game. But I'd feel the same way as an Alabama player too. It's one of the biggest rivalries in sports," he said.
Davis remains at least weeks away from trimming things down to five favorites, but the drama is already building between Alabama and Auburn for this homegrown recruit. Expect Davidson's decision to make a difference moving forward, but it's just one of several factors to monitor here in the months to come.
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