J. C. Davis (American football)

Last updated

J. C. Davis
No. 74  Illinois Fighting Illini
Position Offensive lineman
ClassSenior
Personal information
Born (2003-10-09) October 9, 2003 (age 22)
Height6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight320 lb (145 kg)
Career information
High school McClymonds (Oakland, California)
College
Awards and highlights
Stats at ESPN

J. C. Davis (born October 9, 2003) is an American college football offensive lineman for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He previously played for the Contra Costa Comets and New Mexico Lobos.

Contents

Early life

Davis was born October 9, 2003. He attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California. [1] [2] Though he primarily played defensive tackle on the school's football team, he was recruited to play college football for the Contra Costa Comets as a left tackle. [3]

College career

In 2021, Davis played college football for the Contra Costa Comets. He earned first-team All-CCCAA honors. He began playing for the New Mexico Lobos in 2022, starting in all 12 games of the season [1] and earning an honorable mention to the All-Mountain West team. In 2023, he was named first-team All-Mountain West [4] after again starting in all 12 games. [1]

After the 2023 season, Davis transferred to play for the Illinois Fighting Illini. [5] He started in all 13 games [1] and was named third-team All-Big Ten for the 2024 season. [6] [7] Though he had already played four seasons of college football, the typical limit for college athletes, the NCAA granted one extra year of eligibility to athletes like Davis who had previously played a season at a junior college, as Davis had at Contra Costa, following a federal court ruling in a case filed by Diego Pavia. [8] [9] Davis was projected to be a late selection in the 2025 NFL draft [10] but opted to return to Illinois for the 2025 season. [11] [12] He was named first-team All-Big Ten in 2025. [13] [14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "J.C. Davis". University of Illinois Athletics. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  2. "J.C. Davis". University of New Mexico Athletics. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  3. Wagner, Joey (May 8, 2024). "'He's been as advertised': Transfer OL J.C. Davis looking to maximize final college season with Illini". Illini Inquirer. 247Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  4. Eminian, Dave (January 6, 2025). "Illinois football will get these decorated players back for 2025". Peoria Journal-Star . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  5. Werner, Jeremy (December 20, 2023). "COMMIT: Illini land New Mexico transfer OL J.C. Davis". Illini Inquirer. 247Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  6. Langendorf, Jackson (August 23, 2025). "Illinois Football 2025 Scouting Report: Offensive Tackle J.C. Davis". Illinois Fighting Illini on SI. Sports Illustrated . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  7. Wagner, Joey (August 21, 2025). "Notebook: Bielema optimistic about Davis, who has 'looked good'; Jacas 'honored' by captain role". Illini Inquirer. 247Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  8. Thomas, Tristan (March 29, 2025). "J.C. Davis discusses decision to return to Illinois". WCIA . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  9. Werner, Jeremy (December 27, 2024). "Bielema makes pitch to Illini LT J.C. Davis to return for extra season: 'He does have a choice to make'". Illlini Inquirer. 247Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  10. Wagner, Joey (March 30, 2025). "J.C. Davis puts NFL on pause to return to the Illini: 'I still gotta work on everything'". Illini Inquirer. 247Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  11. Balthazor, Adeena (March 31, 2025). "Bret Bielema worked hard to make sure players returned for another year". WAND-TV . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  12. Brewer, Courtney Layne (January 4, 2025). "JC Davis announces return to Illinois football". WCIA . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  13. Asmussen, Bob (December 4, 2025). "Davis, Beatty earn All-Big Ten honors". The News-Gazette . Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  14. Wagner, Joey (December 4, 2025). "Illini OL J.C. Davis earns First Team All-Big Ten honors; Beatty earns Third Team". 247Sports . Retrieved December 6, 2025.