JC Davis is an offensive tackle and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who finished his collegiate career with the Illinois Fighting Illini after previous stops at Contra Costa College and the University of New Mexico. A native of Oakland, California, Davis attended McClymonds High School and joined Contra Costa College before transferring to New Mexico as a two-star recruit in the 2022 class. Over two seasons with the Lobos he started 24 games at left tackle, then transferred to Illinois for the 2024 season, where he immediately became the full-time starting left tackle. He started 12 games in 2024 and earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors, then returned for a final season in 2025 after the NCAA granted additional eligibility to players who had previously played at the junior college level, earning AP First Team All-Big Ten recognition and finishing his collegiate career with 49 consecutive starts on the blind side across his time at New Mexico and Illinois.
Standing 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, Davis is known for exceptional pass-blocking skills, quick feet that allow him to mirror speed rushers and handle stunts efficiently, and a downhill mentality in the run game that generates movement at the point of attack. His combination of extensive starting experience at the FBS level, development under Illinois offensive line coach Bart Miller, and All-Big Ten recognition in his final season project him as a developmental offensive tackle who projects best at guard or as a swing tackle at the next level, with the physical tools and experience to contribute on early-down run-blocking packages in the NFL.
