J.C. Davis turned the anxious wait for the NFL Draft on Saturday, April 25 into a celebration of love and resilience surrounded by family, friends and coaches. His mother, Greta Davis, says, “I was glued to the television for two days.” She and her husband, Levy Davis, were finally relieved to hear their son’s name called. With a flash on the screen, the Giants made the 6’4″, 322-pound Illinois offensive lineman their 6th-round— 192nd pick.
Coming from JUCO and not having offers out of high school, it’s hard. Some people would give up on themselves. Sometimes, you got to learn to believe in yourself
Born and raised in Oakland, CA. J.C. attended McClymonds High School, which produced greats like MLB Hall of Famer Frank Robinson and NFL stars such as Marcus Peters. The youngest of three, his football journey kicked off at age five with the local Pop Warner Wolf Packs in Antioch. “I always watched football with my dad,” says J.C. It was then, as a youth, that he set his sights on playing for the NFL. A path that would require patience, perseverance, physical stamina, and most of all, faith.
The newly minted pro football player was not recruited out of high school.
“It just shows how much you got to work and what you got to put into it, to get to the position you’re in right now,” says J.C. “Coming from JUCO (Contra Costa College—2021) and not having offers out of high school, it’s hard. Some people would give up on themselves. Sometimes, you’ve got to learn to believe in yourself and believe in your ability to do what you do on the field,” shares the Illini alum. J.C. played two seasons (2022-2023) for the New Mexico Lobos before transferring to the University of Illinois (2024-2025), where the OL played an additional fifth year, earning All-Big Ten Honors in both seasons. In part, to coach Bielema, who flew out to Oakland on Christmas Eve 2024. All to ask the future NFL player to return to Illinois for one more season before entering the draft.
First, Trust in God
J.C. is grateful for the support of his family. He laughs at the thought of their excitement on draft day.
“They might have been more excited than me,” says J.C. “It seemed like they were going to get out there and play (laugh). My family— they’re super excited and happy for me. They’re the best!” Then there are his parents, who he says were crying. “It was an emotional day,” is the only way he describes it. What’s next for the Giants player is that he soon heads out to training camp, where he is most looking forward to meeting the other players and coaches, and going out there to do his thing, being a good teammate, says JC, who over his four-year college career, started 49 consecutive games and brings with him a proven track record of starting at left tackle and extensive gap-exchange experience that can directly support the Giants’ offensive line needs.
This feel-good NFL story is the kind where an under-the-radar athlete never gave up on himself to reach his highest dreams. Advice that J.C. wants to pay it forward to the younger generation coming behind him.
“Put yourself in the right circle and always believe in yourself. Don’t hang around the wrong crowd…the wrong people. And you know who that is growing up,” says J.C, as he recalls coming of age in Oakland. Know right from wrong.” That’s what it’s all about.
And when we asked J.C, ‘What is something your mom and dad instilled in you when you began your football journey— that you still take with you today?’ The draftee responded without hesitation, “First, trust in God,” before he then joked that his dad used to ask him when he first became interested in football, Do you want to play? If I put my money down… You are playing… J.C. laughs at this memory before adding, “It was a confidence builder,” he says of those early times. “I was like, yeah! I want to play football, it’s what I want to do!”
2026, and J.C. Davis is playing football in the NFL
Let’s Go!!
Watch New York Giants J.C. Davis interview on the Twins of Media Show.
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Credit: Illini Football
