Luther Davis

By Chris Sherman
Scout.com
Posted Jan 28, 2007

West Monroe, (Louis.) football star Luther Davis is learning the hard way how serious the game of college football is to the fans who follow their home-state teams. Davis was a hero at school after committing to LSU, but after switching his commitment to the University of Alabama he has gone from hero to enemy in just one week.


The very polite and well-spoken Davis gave Scout.com an inside look at the events of the past few days and how hard the recruiting game can become for an 18-year old.

"My decision came down to basically just sitting down with my family and evaluating LSU and Alabama trying to see what school gave me the best opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing in the NFL," the Scout.com four-star defensive end Luther Davis said.

"And, at the same time how strong the school was committed to academic support. After figuring out everything, Alabama was the best pick. Location was not a factor because Alabama is only three and half hours away."

"I never would believe that number one I would be at Alabama. I followed Alabama for awhile last year. Watching this season and last season I noticed that the ends they had were in range from probably 220 to 240, just rush ends. I probably would not have fit in that scheme. The old staff looked like they wanted smaller ends."

"I weigh about 255 or 260, but with coach Saban the reason I am really drawn to Alabama is because everything he is trying to do is very similar to what he did when he came to LSU. He wants bigger ends."

"My brother was the first person to tell me about coach Saban. He has the utmost respect for coach Saban," Davis said of his brother and former high school All-American Lucas Jackson (Arkansas). "He told me just what a great defense Saban runs."

"I wasn't really interested initially until they did contact me. They came at me straight forward and told me what they had planned for me and how I fit in the plans. I thought it was just a whole bunch of recruiting talk. Basically the same thing other schools have told me, but when I got there on my visit and saw it (depth chart) with my own eyes. I was thinking it is just no way possible I couldn't contribute early."

"Even the current players were telling me that. Wallace Gillberry told me he watched some of my film, and he thought I could contribute right away. I don't expect to walk in there and be given anything. I will prepare mentally and physically to compete with those guys and be ready. If they are there right now it is because they deserve to be there and are good players."

"I talk to Sidell (Corley) all the time. I actually talked to him Friday. He de-committed from Florida, of course. I am hoping coach Saban is behind that. After our conversation this weekend I think the possibility of us becoming bookends together at Alabama is very strong in my opinion. He (Corley) has a great feel for Alabama. He is a home-state guy. By me making the sacrifice to come to Alabama I think Sidell will see what we can do together at Alabama."

"I talked to Ahmad (Paige) to see if he is going to visit. He is still real iffy. He wants to visit USC and see the California life. Rolando (Melancon) is going for sure, Chad Jones said he going for sure. Stephoin is coming, but I haven't talked to Joe (McKnight). I think he is still coming also."

Davis talked about how this decision has affected his life in Louisiana.

"Right now things are really hard for me," he said. "It is something I never would have imagined. I just don't think it is fair. Here I am just 18 years old trying to make a decision that will affect the rest of my life. I don't think anyone can judge me but God."

"I don’t think it is right for people to feel the way they do towards me for switching my commitment. The hurtful things people have been saying on the internet. People calling leaving threatening messages on my phone. I don’t think it is right, but it is preparing me to take on anything in the world."

"Out of 22 coaches at my high school only two support my decision. I love the two guys that are behind me. They have been there for me since I was about eight years old. I have basically known them my whole life."

"After I committed to LSU, after the All-American game, and came back to school I was big-man-on-campus. Everything was going my way versus now when I got back from visiting Alabama. Everybody hated me."

"It just shows what kind of people they are and how much I really meant to them. It is a hard way to find out how people can really be. There have even been former LSU players that play in the NFL right now that played for both Saban and Miles tell me I made the right choice. If they were in that situation they would have picked wherever coach Saban was too."

"I am just staying focused through prayer. Having God with you everyday even when things are bad. It is hard though. I walk through the halls and people call me a traitor, but I just use prayer and feel better."

"My mom has been there for me through all of this, and whether she knows it or not she raised a pretty good young man," the emotionally charged Davis said.

"Coach Lance Thompson calls me to see how I am doing and keeping my spirits up because he knows how hard it is. Coach Saban sends me text messages every day also to keep my spirits up. They have really been there for me."

Davis finished the season at West Monroe with 66 tackles, eight sacks, one interception and three blocked field goal attempts.

Davis sent a text message the other day with the letters S.W.A.T. Naturally he was questioned of the significance.

"That is my nickname. When I was a sophomore we played one of the best passing teams in the state in the finals. I had six pass deflections as a defensive end. So, everyone started calling me S.W.A.T.," Davis laughed.

Is that a nick-name he wants to follow him to the Capstone?

"Oh yes sir. I like that name a lot. I would feel honored if the people at Alabama call me that," Davis said.

A recent article from a newspaper in Louisiana has Luther Davis not yet qualified for the next level.

"I am not really surprised he said that," Davis said. "Like I said, I am not getting much support from people. I am certain I will qualify. What coach Shows doesn't know is my core grades from this past semester was increased to a 3.4. If I can get at the lowest a 3.0 this semester it will bring my G.P.A. to a 2.8. All I would need was a 19 on the ACT. I have a 17 right now. It will not be a problem at all. I am taking an ACT prep class everyday to get me prepared."

Davis visited Louisiana Tech this weekend and comments on his trip.

"Coach (Lance) Thompson (Alabama) said it would be a great idea for us to get out of town and clear our heads. It was nothing. Louisiana Tech knew everything and so did Alabama. It is not an issue. I am 100-percent committed to Alabama, and my coaches gave me their blessing for going to Tech for a visit."

"I feel that if there is a time to be at Alabama it is now. I just want Alabama fans to know that I love to win. I just want to thank them for supporting me in my decision to go to Alabama. I hope they continue to be behind me throughout this whole thing," Davis concluded.