PITTSBURGH – Fighting Illini All-American J.C. Davis was selected Saturday by the New York Giants in Round 6 (No. 192 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. Davis is the second Fighting Illini picked in the 2026 NFL Draft, following EDGE Gabe Jacas' selection by the New England Patriots (Round 2, No. 55 overall).
Davis started 25 games for the Fighting Illini in 2024 and 2025 after transferring to Illinois from New Mexico where he was a two-time All-Mountain West selection. He began his college career as a freshman Contra Costa College in 2021.
At Illinois, Davis took his game to another level, earning back-to-back All-Big Ten accolades, and securing an All-America Fourth Team recognition from Phil Steele in 2025 when he was rated by PFF as the No. 3 left tackle in the nation. In 2024, he was also selected to the AP All-Bowl Team after allowing zero pressures in Illinois' win over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
During Davis' two years at Illinois, the Fighting Illini won nine or more games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.
NOTES
- 260th NFL Draft pick in Illinois program history
- 58th NFL Draft pick in Bret Bielema's 17 seasons as a head coach
- First Illinois offensive lineman selected since Isaiah Adams in Round 3 (No. 71) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2024.
- Fourth Illinois offensive lineman drafted in Bret Bielema's five seasons at Illinois, joining Isaiah Adams in 2004 by the Arizona Cardinals (Round 2, No. 71), Vederian Lowe in 2022 by the Minnesota Vikings (Round 6, No. 184), and Doug Kramer in 2022 by Chicago Bears (Round 6, No. 207).
- 10th Illini drafted by the New York Giants and the first since OL David Diehl in 2003 (Round 5, No. 160).
