How former Notre Dame walk-on TE/FB Davis Sherwood works through his ‘milestone board’

For Davis Sherwood, going from walk-on to scholarship player this week felt more like a reason for validation than it did cause for celebration. 

“It wasn’t like my life changed,” the sophomore fullback/tight end said. “It was a bigger change for my parents than me, obviously with the money. For me, I woke up and it’s another day, pretty much.”

Sherwood’s only pause for reflection after hearing the news was that he was finally where he believed he belonged all along, on scholarship and on a Power Five roster. 

But instead of proving all the naysayers wrong in his more prominent role, Sherwood wants to “prove right” the Irish offensive coaches who provided this opportunity.

“Knowing they believe enough in me to create a role for me, whatever that will be,” Sherwood said, “means a lot to me.”

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Not one to celebrate himself, Sherwood downplayed the moment when the Irish coaches shared the scholarship news.

“It wasn’t anything too special or anything you see on TV,” recalled Sherwood, who secured the scholarship spot that came open when a knee injury put wide receiver Avery Davis on the medical hardship list. “… A tiny fluff, but pretty much to the point.”

Also to the point, Sherwood isn’t just some feel-good “Rudy” story. Not hardly. He’s a versatile 6-foot-3, 228-pound player who can do anything he’s asked. 

Recruited as a linebacker — the position he played as an Irish freshman last season — Sherwood became a special teams ace in 2021. 

“That’s a big reason I came here,” Sherwood said. “I wanted to come to someplace where they were going to give me a shot.”

The Hightstown, N.J., native made good on his “shot” last season and played in 12 of Notre Dame’s 13 games with appearances on the kickoff, kickoff return, punt and punt return teams. 

“He’s played at a high level and done what we’ve asked him to do, played at a high level on special teams and tight end,” said Notre Dame tight ends coach Gerad Parker. “The guys respect him, hence the reason he’s gotten to where he’s gotten.”

Checking the boxes

Sherwood keeps what he calls a “milestone board” to keep his football goals clear. And in just one full season, he’s already running down his checklist.

• Be a starter on special teams … check

• Earn a scholarship … check

• Become defensive scout player of the year … check

• Get a chance to start on offense or defense … TBD

• Win a national championship … TBD

“I always have those goals,” Sherwood said. “But to reach any of those goals, I’m taking it one day at a time.”

An unheralded recruit, Sherwood wasn’t even rated by On3 or any of the other recruiting services in the 2021 class.

Sherwood’s recruiting anonymity came in part because he attended three different high schools during four prep football seasons and couldn’t play his senior year, making for a slim film catalog.

Sherwood began his high school career at Woodberry Forest in Virginia, then accepted a full-ride scholarship to The Peddie School in New Jersey, before transferring again to Our Lady of Good Counsel in Maryland. 

There, the transfer timing kept Sherwood off the field as a senior. 

Though, during his two years at Peddie, Sherwood said he played with and against elite talent, which helped boost his confidence. 

2022 NFL Draft picks Jahan Dotson, a former Penn State wide receiver, and John Metchie III, a former Alabama wide receiver, are both Peddie alumni.

“I played a lot of top competition in high school, and I’m practicing with these [Notre Dame teammates], working out with them every day now,” Sherwood said. “I just tell myself, ‘Why not me?’”

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Change in plan

Sherwood said he moonlighted some at Peddie as a wide receiver and an H-back, but linebacker was his primary role.

So when the Irish coaches approached him before spring ball with a “suggestion” to move to offense, Sherwood admits to some trepidation.

“It was a little shocking at first,” Sherwood said. “There was like a little bump to get over when I first started playing.”

With a shortage of offensive skill players because of multiple injuries, Sherwood is already getting more than scout team work during Notre Dame practices.

In fact, he’s seen at times taking reps with the 1s. 

“But after that first week, second week maybe,” Sherwood added, “it started to really slow down.”

From walk-on to scholarship, from defense to offense, Sherwood said he just rolls with the changes. “Put me wherever you need me,” he said.

So what exactly are you, Sherwood was asked, a tight end, a fullback, a linebacker, a half back? 

“I let people call me whatever they want,” he said. “I just like to play football. I like to go out there and block, run routes, catch balls, anything.

“So whatever you want to call me, that’s good with me.”