MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The top-rated inside linebacker in America wore a black sweater with a red bow tie on Wednesday.

Why did Alabama 5-star senior prospect Ben Davis do that? Was that because UGA still leads Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Notre Dame? Davis said he looked into his closet and it “just looked pretty good on me.”

Will the Gordo High School standout also feel that way about his attire on Saturdays this fall? We shall see. Davis maintained on Wednesday UGA was his leader, but said that Georgia and Alabama “were kind of even at the top” for him.

He also hinted a package deal of 5-star recruits might be in the works. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder said there is a possibility he and 5-star linebacker Lyndell “Mack” Wilson sign with the same school.

“It is definitely a factor,” Davis said. “Me and Mack we talk about it all the time. Playing with each other in college. So when it comes to signing day we will just have to see how everything goes.”

Davis also broke down the race for his signature in a way fans can easily understand. If his recruiting decision was a 40-yard dash, he placed UGA on the 39-yard line. So how close is Alabama?

He said the Crimson Tide was only a half yard to a yard behind. That’s the gap between UGA and the program where his father Wayne Davis still ranks as the leader in career tackles. Who’s running third? Davis said that was LSU at this time, but also expressed his excitement about his official visit to Notre Dame this weekend.

The senior is rated as the nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker and the nation’s No. 12 overall prospect for the Class of 2016.

Davis shared his thoughts on several topics with DawgNation.com, including his answers to the following questions:

  • Why is UGA still his leader?
  • Would UGA still be among his finalists even if Smart was not the head coach?
  • How would he describe his relationship with UGA assistant Kevin Sherrer?
  • What is the main recruiting message he’s hearing from UGA?
  • Does he need to take another unofficial visit to see what he needs to sign with UGA?
  • Could he possibly flip the dates on his Alabama and Auburn official visits?

 

Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges. Unless otherwise indicated, all player rankings and ratings are from the 247sports Composite.