PITTSBURGH — From community college to the NFL.
Left tackle J.C. Davis has been drafted at pick No. 192 by the New York Giants, making him the second former Illini off the board in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The lineman will go from protecting quarterback Luke Altmyer during his time at Illinois to protecting Jaxson Dart on Sundays in the NFL.
After starting his college career at Contra Costa College, Davis then spent the next four years as a starter at the Division I level, with stops at New Mexico and Illinois.
To close out his time at school, he started in 49 consecutive games.
Last season, Davis was graded as the No. 3 LT in the country by Pro Football Focus (PFF). In pass protection, he allowed 18 total pressures over the course of the season, conceding three sacks and two QB hits to opponents while only getting called for one penalty.
He found his way onto the All-Big Ten First Team as voted by the coaches and the All-Big Ten Second Team as voted by the media, as well as the AP All-Big Ten First Team.
Standing at 6’4” and weighing in at 322 pounds, Davis certainly has the size to play tackle at the next level, and his pure power will help as well.
