Tide commit Jordan Davis: Alabama doesn't recruit human beings
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Alabama commit Jordan Davis has a theory as to why the Crimson Tide has just five commitments in its 2018 class, and it has nothing to do with head coach Nick Saban or his staff losing a step.
“In my mindset, there’s a reason why a lot of athletes don’t commit to Alabama,” Davis said. “It’s because they are scared to compete. I know you compete every place you go, but at Alabama, you compete every single day. You can’t waste any time, you just have to grind. It’s just something that I don’t think a lot of athletes can keep up with the dynasty at Bama under Coach Nick Saban.”
Davis, a four-star weakside defensive end from Memphis, Tenn., was the first member of Alabama’s 2018 class, committing to the Tide this past December. He is currently joined in the class by a trio of four-stars in defensive back Jalyn Armour-Davis, linebacker Quay Walker and wide receiver Xavier Williams, as well as the nation’s No. 2 kicker Skyler DeLong.
Despite the talent level, Alabama’s class has drawn plenty of attention due to its lack of numbers. At this time last year, the Tide’s class was already at 15 members. Miami has the nation’s No. 1 class this year and has 18 commits, while LSU comes in at No. 3 with a whopping 22 commits. Alabama is currently ranked No. 58.
Part of the reason for Alabama’s slow start stems from the fact it can only take 22 recruits this season. The Tide is expected to name 2017 commits Jarez Parks (four-star defensive lineman), Hunter Brannon (three-star offensive lineman) and Joseph Bulovas (three-star kicker) to the 2018 class. Parks will join the team next year after greyshirting this season, while Brannon and Bulovas are expected to play this year as blueshirts before earning their scholarship next year.
The lack of numbers doesn’t disturb Davis one bit. Instead of focusing on the quantity, the four-star defender is more concerned with the quality that will surround him. Davis understands that Alabama recruits a different breed of player, and he’s more than willing to wait as the staff selects the right players.
“If Alabama recruits you, you’re not a human being,” Davis said. “You do the unnatural things other athletes or other players can’t do. You go over the top.”
Davis said he has a good relationship with his fellow class members and keeps in touch with them from time to time. One player he has especially bonded with is Walker. While the duo could very well end up serving as outside linebacking partners in the future, they already share the same drive to fight for playing time right away at the next level.
“I call him Mr. D-I,” Davis said of Walker. “He’s on the same page as me, just ready to compete. That’s just something I look toward when I talk to athletes. The No. 1 question I ask them is ‘Do you love competing?’ It’s a yes or a no, and if it’s a no then you can’t come to Bama. You have to have that mindset of getting to the next level.”
While the ability to compete was one of the factors toward Davis committing to Alabama, getting to the NFL was ultimately the biggest pull. Davis lived in Jacksonville, Fla., at a young age where his family faced several financial hardships. After getting kicked out of their apartment, the family had to move to Greenville, Miss., where they received some financial help but still needed to frequent food shelters on occasion.
Now living in Memphis, Tenn., with his mother and younger brother, Davis is determined to end his family’s struggles for good. In fact, upon committing to Alabama, he promised his mother, Tiffany Harmon, that he’d make it to the NFL so she will never have to work again. Seeing four Alabama players selected in the first round of this year’s draft has added to his confidence of fulfilling that vow.
“It gave me that mindset of ‘Hey if I was there, this would probably be me,’” Davis said. “Not probably, but I know this would be me. I know that for a fact. Once that happened, the struggles of me being poor and living in the alleyway and things like that would be over. It took a real toll on me.”
Harmon is not only the driving force behind Davis’ work ethic, she’s also his biggest role model. Watching his mom work two jobs to support the family has shaped his approach not only on the football field but away from it as well. Davis is now looking to spread that same mindset to everyone he encounters.
“My coaches always tell me my work ethic is crazy,” Davis said. “I have one of the best work ethics, but I just don’t want myself to have it, I want everybody to have it. I tell my teammates all the time, I tell them ‘You have to do extra because you never know when you are going to need that extra push in the game or that extra push outside of football.”
Despite his commitment, Davis continues to be approached by several top programs. Outside of Alabama, the schools he said have approached him the most have been Tennessee, Ohio State and Oregon. Davis generated some noise when he visited the home-state Volunteers in May. However, he claims the trip to Knoxville, Tenn., was primarily to help Class of 2019 teammate Christian Williams.
“I am 2,000 percent committed,” Davis said. “I’m not 100 percent, I’m not 1,000 percent, I’m 2,000 percent. I am all the way committed. I’m tired of hearing about Tennessee or anything else.”
Davis said he expects Alabama’s class to begin to grow in the near future and is even doing a little recruiting of his own. While he is quick to preach the family atmosphere and path to the NFL Alabama provides, he wants to make sure whoever joins the class with him is willing to work.
“There’s no sugar-coating it, none of that. I don’t believe in any of that,” Davis said. “The truth hurts and I understand, but sometimes you got to keep it real with them. You know you are going to have five-stars and big-time pro athletes going in front of you. You can’t be scared to compete because they are going to get you better. I know that for a fact.”
His advice to those unwilling to meet that challenge — good luck.
“It’s like Coach Saban always tells us,” Davis said. “We can win with you or without you.”
