From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Illinois OT J.C. Davis.
No. 74 J.C. Davis/OT Illinois 6043, 322 pounds (Fifth-year Senior)
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
J.C. Davis 6043/322 10 1/8″ 34 1/4″ N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
5.16 1.78 N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
8’3″ 30.5″ N/A
The Good
– Ideal size and length to hold up on the outside
– Demonstrates strong core strength that holds up against bull rush attempts
– Fires out of his stance quickly
– Powerful and consistent leg drive after establishing leverage
– Operates from a wide and well-balanced base
– Aligns with a low, pre-snap stance that supports his ability to keep a low pad level
– Strong hand grip when he’s able to latch on
– Good latch-and-sustain capability
– Capable of washing defenders upfield when they try to turn the corner on him
– Physical and aggressive in the run game
– Effective on base-blocks and down blocks
The Bad
– Struggles with sudden counter moves
– Limited change of direction in the open field
– Kick slide lacks sufficient depth to cut off speed rushers consistently
– Struggles against Wide-9 alignments
– Inconsistent mechanics
– Strikes with both hands, which cause him to lunge at defenders
– Vulnerable to inside leverage
– Lacks consistent identification of post-snap movement
– Locks onto the primary defender, which affects his ability to pass off rushers
– Struggles to secure reach blocks on zone running plays
– Prone to whiffing on designed pulls and in space
Stats
– 2025 stats: 3 sacks allowed, 2 hits allowed, 18 pressures allowed, 1 penalty committed, 12 games played
– Career stats: 8 sacks allowed, 6 hits allowed, 57 pressures allowed, 21 penalties committed, 49 games played (in Division 1)
– Illinois Career stats: 4 sacks allowed, 3 hits allowed, 27 pressures allowed, 10 penalities committed, 25 games played
– New Mexico Career stats: 4 sacks allowed, 3 hits allowed, 16 pressures allowed, 11 penalties committed, 24 games played
– 77.4 pass block grade per PFF (2025)
– 86.7 run block grade per PFF (2025)
– 96 percent true pass set blocking efficiency (2025)
Injury History
– Suffered from plantar fasciitis in his left foot, which caused him to sit out most of fall camp but didn’t miss any regular-season games (2025)
Background
– Born October 9th, 2003 (22 years old)
– Began his career at Contra Costa College before spending two seasons with New Mexico and finishing his last two seasons at Illinois
– Two-star recruit who primarily played defensive tackle
– Named second-team All-League as a senior and second-team All-City as a junior
– Switched to offensive line when arriving at community college
– Earned first team All-CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association) in his first year at his new position (2021)
– Named an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention in his first season at the Group of Five level (2022)
– Mountain West All-Academic (2022)
– Honored with a first-team All-Mountain West selection (2023)
– Third-team All-Big Ten and Illinois Male Newcomer of the Year in his first year at the Power Four level (2024)
– First-team All-Big Ten and made Phil Steele’s All-America Fourth Team (2025)
– Finished his career with 49 consecutive starts
– Cites a family atmosphere as a key cog in his transfer to Illinois
– Weight training is his primary hobby
– His family will frequently send him screenshots of his “EA Sports College Football 26” in-game character
– Full name is Jesse Davis, but he prefers to go by J.C.
Tape Breakdown
A steady presence at left tackle, J.C. Davis has played exceptionally since his first year at New Mexico. He’s a classic brawler. He can struggle with pure speed, but his powerful lower body helps him to erase defenders from the play. His work in Indianapolis confirmed what the tape already showed: he has a high level of lower-body explosiveness that’s evident in how quickly he jumps out of his stance.
Davis’ greatest value comes from his run-blocking ability. His quick first step lets him suddenly fire off the ball and generate significant force on contact. Davis plays his best when executing a base block on a defensive end or crashing down on a 3-technique and washing the defender down the gap.
His 10 1/8″ hands also give him a bear-like grip when he latches onto a defender. Once he’s locked in, he blocks through the whistle, making it difficult for opponents to disengage. He consistently drives his legs, moving defenders several yards off the line of scrimmage.
As a pass protector, Davis is most comfortable using his power. If an edge rusher tries to run through him with a bull rush, it rarely works. His well-developed lower half and strong core allow him to absorb contact easily.
When a defender attempts to convert speed to power, Davis sinks his hips and drops his center of gravity. If his opponent doesn’t win immediately off the snap, Davis typically concedes minimal ground.
He’s far more vulnerable against pure speed. His initial kick slide doesn’t gain much depth, forcing him to overcompensate with foot speed and agility to stay in front and seal the edge — traits that don’t align well with his athletic profile. As he recovers, he can lunge and get too far over his toes, disrupting his balance and opening up soft edges for rushers to exploit.
The most pressing concern with his pass protection—beyond handling pure speed off the edge—is his vulnerability against inside counters. Because he often overcommits to protecting the arc, defenders who initially push vertically upfield can easily cross his face back into the open gap. His tendency to lunge at rushers prevents him from firmly planting his post foot and redirecting his weight inside in time to shut off the counter.
Conclusion
Davis is a readily available lineman who can step into an offensive line room and immediately provide depth. He brings extensive experience, having appeared in 49 FBS games and consistently produced at a high level. He is a mauler who can lean on his size and strength rather than lateral quickness.
Davis has a solid pass-protection foundation to build on. He has tremendous lower-body strength and a sturdy core, allowing him to absorb power from even the strongest rushers. He rarely gives up ground when defenders attempt to walk him back into the quarterback. Speed rushers give him more issues. Davis lacks the foot quickness to offset his shortened kick slide, creating problems against more explosive edge rushers.
He is an appealing run blocker, especially on early downs. In a gap or power-based scheme, Davis should contribute immediately. His length and strong, clamping grip serve him well when working on man assignments or crashing down on interior defenders. He thrives in environments that emphasize downhill, size-based blocking.
With proper development, Davis could be like Jermaine Eluemunor. Both came from JUCO backgrounds and are nasty maulers who win by latching on and using their size to overwhelm defenders. Both are also vulnerable against quicker edge rushers because of their heavier feet. Eluemunor refined his technique and footwork enough to carve out a long-term starting role in the league. Davis must develop significantly to reach that level, but the blueprint is there if he lands in the right situation and continues to grow.
NFL Draft Projection: Early – Mid Day Three
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 7.3 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.8 – 7.7
Games Watched: vs. Michigan (2024), @ Duke (2025), vs. Western Michigan (2025), vs. USC (2025)
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