J.C. Davis postpones NFL dreams to return to Illinois: ‘I still have a lot to work on’. A pre-Christmas trip to Oakland played a key role in Davis’ decision to stay for a second season with the Illini.
CHAMPAIGN — J.C. Davis was spending time with his family in Oakland (Calif.) when a surprise alert appeared on his Ring doorbell camera just before Christmas. Standing at his door were Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, offensive line coach Byron Bell, and general manager Pat Embleton. They had made the trip to Oakland to convince Davis to stay for another season on the Illinois offensive line.
“I was just chilling with my family and then I see Coach Bielema out here talking about coming back for another season,” Davis said. “I just laughed and thought, ‘This is crazy.'”
Only Davis’ father knew about the meeting, and Davis, who played left tackle for Illinois, wasn’t expecting a visit. But Bielema understood the importance of making the effort to fly out to Oakland rather than waiting for a meeting in Florida.
Davis had spent one year at junior college, two seasons at New Mexico, and last season with Illinois. The opportunity for a return came with the Pavia ruling and a subsequent NCAA waiver, which allowed athletes who had competed at non-NCAA schools to maintain eligibility for an extra year. Davis needed only to take the opportunity, and Bielema made a strong case for him to return.
Davis, on the verge of entering the NFL Draft, decided to put that dream on hold to improve his draft stock, contribute to the Illini’s upcoming season, and protect quarterback Luke Altmyer. “Coach B talked to me and made a good case, so I decided to come back for another season,” Davis explained.
Returning to Illinois was a good move for Davis, who had earned Third Team All-Big Ten honors last season and posted a 72.4 pass-blocking grade, ranking 11th among Big Ten offensive tackles. Although he could have been a late-round NFL Draft pick, Davis trusted his coaches to help him rise higher in the draft rankings.
“They said they were going to push me harder, and that was something I needed,” Davis shared. “They’re not going to ease up on me just because I came back. They want me to be the best, and I appreciate that.”
Davis recognized that there was still room for improvement. “I still need to work on everything,” he said. “I wasn’t an All-American, so I’ve got to keep getting better.”
Despite the challenges of choosing between the NFL and college, Davis felt confident in his decision. “It’s difficult because you never know what could happen, but you have to trust the team and trust yourself,” Davis said. “I felt like I made the right decision.”
Davis’ return means all five starting offensive linemen from last season are back for the Illini, including left guard Josh Gesky, center Josh Kreutz, right guard Brandon Henderson, and right tackle Melvin Priestly. Together, they’ll protect Altmyer and open up holes for Illinois’ talented running backs.
Last season, Davis showcased his abilities against top-tier Big Ten defenses, including players like Penn State’s Abdul Carter and the defensive lines of Michigan and Nebraska. He was physical and strong in pass protection, calling his 15-yard block against Northwestern the best of his season.
“It felt like I was already playing at a high level,” Davis said. “I proved I can play with the best.”
Davis, who joined the Illini last offseason from the transfer portal, chose college football over the NFL for a second time, prioritizing his growth. The Pavia ruling and Bielema’s visit to his doorstep played key roles in Davis’ decision to return for another season.
“It showed how much he really wanted me,” Davis said. “It showed what kind of coach he is.”
