DeVonta "DJ" Davidson, a 6-5, 310 pound defensive tackle out of Desert Ridge High in Mesa, Arizona announced his commitment to Arizona State on Thursday. Davidson, originally a University of Central Florida commit for the class of 2016, retook some classes so that he'd be able to qualify, and once the grades posted, he reopened his commitment to other suitors. That's when Arizona State came into the picture, and Davidson made his decision. He talked with us about his decision, how he was able to qualify, and what he's done to stay in shape.

So does your commitment to ASU mean you won't be heading to Pima Community College this semester?

I'll be enrolling at ASU in January instead of heading to Pima.

We've talked before, and you talked about Texas A&M being your dream offer. Take me through the process that led you to getting in contact with, and ultimately committing to Arizona State.

I reached out to everyone that had recruited me before and Arizona State is the school I wanted to go with. Texas A&M was my dream offer, but ASU is in-state, and they're honestly the school I wanted to go to, and the school I was thinking about after I got through the NCAA Clearinghouse. Once I contacted them, and.. I can't even talk, because I'm so happy. Once I got the go ahead from them I didn't even want to speak to anyone else at all.

How did you establish that level of comfort with a school that didn't offer you while you were in high school?

I've known Coach Thomsen, and a lot of people over there since my sophomore year. I've been to their camps, and everything.

You mentioned Coach Thomsen- are you going to be looked at on the offensive line, or do they see you playing the position you're most known for?

I'm going to be playing defensive tackle.

Which coaches were most involved in your recent recruitment?

Coach Graham and Coach Thomsen.

I saw you recently Tweeted something about wishing you could let people know about something, but that you had to wait- was that in regards to your commitment?

No, that was more for me, wishing I could tell everybody that I was eligible, especially the ones who didn't believe in me or that I could become eligible. That was kind of my own thing, with self-motivation helping me to accomplish something that I was able to get done.

How did it feel to see those final grades post that got you through the NCAA Clearinghouse?

It was remarkable because I knew a whole bunch of doors were going to open. My freshman and sophomore years were holding me back, because my junior and senior year I was able to get all B's or better. I realized going into my junior year that I'd need to retake some classes, so I've been doing that since then, and now things are all good.

For those who haven't been able to see you play, who would you compare your skills to?

I'm my own person and player. I don't compare myself to anyone. How I play has to do with the person in front of me. I don't care who they are, how good they are, or where they came from, because I know they're thinking the same thing about me. At the end of the day, I'm going to give 100%, and I'm going to put them on their back. That's just how I was brought up, and that's how Desert Ridge taught me how to play football. Whoever's in front of you, head-on-head, just get the job done.

You were a big reason why Desert Ridge was able to reach the state title game in 2015, but you left that game early with an ankle injury, correct?

I missed pretty much the whole second half, I couldn't put any pressure on it at all.

Knowing that's how your high school career ended, and with having sat out a year, how much are you chomping at the bit to get back on the field?

Honestly, I've just been working out. I have a great coach, Larry Graham, who's helped me get back on track in the weight room. He keeps me focused on finding my purpose, and I think that I've found it (at Arizona State). This is where I need to be, and I know what I need to do.

Larry Graham at Athletes Performance Enhancement was integral in getting guys like N'Keal Harry physically ready to contribute as a freshman for Arizona State. What has that program been able to do for you?

It helps out a lot. It's definitely a program I'd recommend to high schoolers who are trying to play college football, because he knows what he's doing, and he knows how to get you bigger, stronger, and faster.

You played your senior season at around 310, is that the weight you're most comfortable at?

I played at about 310-315, that's where I want to be and where I'm comfortable playing. I think if I had to get up to playing at a high level at 320 or 325, I think I could do it, I'd just have to adapt.