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In two seasons, the unsung former walk-on linebacker has made an impact on special teams, become an integral part of Notre Dame’s blocking game offensively, and even made a critical fourth-down shovel pass on a fake punt in the Gator Bowl to help lead the Irish to victory.
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Counting Down the Irish – No. 50 TE-Davis Sherwood
In two seasons, the unsung former walk-on linebacker has made an impact on special teams, become an integral part of Notre Dame’s blocking game offensively, and even made a critical fourth-down shovel pass on a fake punt in the Gator Bowl to help lead the Irish to victory.
By:
TIM PRISTER Jun 6, 2023
Davis Sherwood, a walk-on linebacker from Highstown, N.J., first came into a Notre Dame football fan’s consciousness in 2021 as a member of Notre Dame’s special teams.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound true freshman made his initial mark on the coverage units where he recorded three tackles – the first against Virginia Tech on the road -- while regularly putting his physicality on display on the practice field.
But
Marcus Freeman and his staff had a larger role in mind for Sherwood. When pre-season practice opened in August of 2022, Sherwood had switched to the offensive side of the football where he could assist the Irish tight ends.
Sherwood never did catch a pass or run the football like a traditional fullback in ‘22. But he was a regular participant on Notre Dame’s field goal, punt and kick return units while earning 78 snaps on offense. His role as a blocking tight end/fullback picked up in the fifth game of the season against BYU in Las Vegas.
Then, in one of the more critical moments in the second half against South Carolina in the Gator Bowl, Sherwood shoveled a pass to
Braden Lenzy on a fake punt to keep a fourth-quarter drive alive, which eventually led to a touchdown in Notre Dame’s 45-38 victory over the Gamecocks.
With two years of eligibility remaining – he was elevated to a scholarship player during the ’22 season – Sherwood remains an integral part of Notre Dame’s offense and special teams heading into Freeman’s second season as Notre Dame head coach.
• Irish Illustrated Ranking: 50
• Prister Ranking: 50
• O’Malley Ranking: 47
• Sinclair Ranking: 59
• 2022 Ranking: 81
O’Malley Says: “Earned a scholarship faster than any preferred walk-on I can recall, then solidified a niche role last fall as a part-time fullback and detached blocker as the third tight end. Whether he ends up third, fourth, fifth or sixth (or second?) this season at the position in terms of total snaps, Sherwood will fill the same role on Saturdays in ’23.”
Sinclair Says: “As multiple tight ends are dealing with injuries in a relatively young group, Davis Sherwood could potentially see more fullback and H-Back work in the fall.
Eli Raridon flashed outstanding blocking ability versus BYU last season, but as he comes off an ACL tear, Notre Dame has a reliable blocker ready to roll in Sherwood.”
What To Expect in 2023
You can’t keep a good man down. Mitchell Evans ascends to the forefront of Notre Dame’s tight ends with the departure of
Michael Mayer. A healthy
Kevin Bauman and/or
Eli Raridon gets them on the field. Solidly in the mix is sophomore
Holden Staes and perhaps true freshman
Cooper Flanagan, who arrives this June.
But regardless how many snaps the other tight ends take, Sherwood will get his because of his very specific role as a blocker. He’s unlikely to be a pass-catcher (he was targeted once on an incomplete pass) or ball carrier. He was neither in 2022. But his physicality that first showed itself at Notre Dame on the defensive side of the football is applicable at the tight end/H-back/fullback positions as well. Special teams remain strongly in play for Sherwood.
Future Prospects
A junior with two years of eligibility remaining, Sherwood is here to stay through the 2024 season. The competition for snaps remains spirited. In fact, perhaps the players most likely to influence Sherwood’s playing time aren’t necessarily the pass-catching tight ends on the roster as much as 2023 arrival
Cooper Flanagan, who is a more traditional two-way/attached tight end with size and physicality.
Stat Of The Day
Who would have thought when the 2022 season began that Sherwood would log the third-most snaps among Irish tight ends?
Michael Mayer, of course, paced the tight ends in snaps with 750, followed by Mitchell Evans (326). Injuries to
Kevin Bauman and
Eli Raridon limited them to 75 and 76 snaps respectively. Sherwood had 78 snaps during the regular season and then played an integral role in Notre Dame’s come-from-behind victory over South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.
Quote To Note
“It’s like a dream come true. It’s one of the big reasons I came here -- to have a chance to earn a scholarship. I’ve been a lifelong fan. My mom went here. I always wanted to play here. Sometimes I doubted it, sometimes I didn’t. But I always worked toward it…It wasn’t like a big moment. My world wasn’t shocked and changed because I felt I was a scholarship player with how they treated me and how I worked every day. But it’s just the accomplishment and one of those milestones I’ve always been working for.” - Sherwood
“Yeah, I like to hit people. So in that sense, I’m a typical fullback. I’d like to think I’m a little more athletic than the old-school fullbacks. But in terms of how you think of a stereotypical fullback where you’ll run into a wall and hit someone, that’s what I’m going to do.” - Sherwood
“Woody is one of my faves. He’s so matter of fact about his work and he’s such a tough-nosed kid who represents Notre Dame with who he is. It’s why he’s earned a scholarship here and became who he is. He’s fun to coach.” - OC/TE Coach
Gerad Parker
