Parents Deny That Davis Will Attend Notre Dame

The parents of Banning High running back Travis Davis strongly denied Saturday a newspaper report that their son has given an unwritten commitment to play football for Notre Dame.

“He hasn’t given a verbal commitment to anyone,” said Horace Davis, who accompanied his son on a recruiting trip to Notre Dame last weekend. “I was upset when I read that.”

The story--which appeared in Saturday’s editions of The Daily Breeze and San Pedro News-Pilot, sister newspapers of the Copley chain--identified Banning assistant coach Rocky Garibay as the source of information.

Garibay, however, denied making any statements about Davis’ plans.

“That comment was false,” he said, referring to the story. “I haven’t talked to any reporters since football (season) was over. Monday I’m going to find out who’s been using my name.”

Davis, one of the West Coast’s most sought-after players, is taking his fifth and final recruiting visit this weekend to UCLA and was unavailable for comment. He has also visited USC, Stanford and Washington.

“I talked to Travis the other day, and he said he liked all of them,” Garibay said. “I feel sorry for the schools recruiting him. Our banquet is Tuesday and the guest speaker is (Stanford Coach) Dennis Green. How do you think he felt when he read that?”

Horace Davis said he expects his son to make a decision sometime in the next week. Prep seniors can sign letters of intent beginning Feb. 6.

“We’re going to go through all the negatives and positives and make a decision,” the elder Davis said. “All of them are good schools. We’re going to leave 90% of the decision up to (Travis), but we’ll discuss everything.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound Davis led the South Bay in rushing last season with 1,760 yards and 18 touchdowns in 241 carries, helping Banning reach the L.A. City 4-A championship game.