Bret Bielema told J.C. Davis he'd help his draft stock and delivered

Illinois offensive lineman J.C. Davis is set to see his life completely change this weekend. While he played left tackle for the Illini, Davis is expected to play both guard and tackle at the next level. A top 150ish overall prospect, projected to go somewhere in rounds four through six, Davis got to this point largely because of the great work that he put in during his final year in Champaign.

Illini head coach Bret Bielema, who himself has a Super Bowl ring from his days as an assistant with the New England Patriots, helped Davis reach his full potential. On Christmas Eve 2024, Bielema and his staff were in Oakland, California, at the home of Davis trying to persuade him to play in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando..

The Illini went on to beat South Carolina in that New Year's Eve bowl game, 21-17.

"When that opportunity came to get him in year two (at Illinois, after transferring from New Mexico) when we flew out there to see him and his family in the Bay Area, he was excited about the opportunity we presented him," Bielema said during a spring practice media availability.

"With that if he came back, I thought we could improve his draft status. And there's no doubt in my mind we've done that."

Bielema then discussed what Davis brings to the table- "going back to the first time I ever saw him, was on film from New Mexico- thought he was going to be a one-year player (for us); didn't know we were going to be able to get two years out of him, but just was really excited about his his length, his athleticism, his growth, his potential.

"And in that first year, you saw JC's body make a dramatic change, not just weight gain, but weight structure. So then I think he's a guy that probably in my opinion, some people will be surprised where he gets grabbed on Saturday or Friday.

"I think he is a guy that's got really unique length, size and upside."

In terms of player comps for Davis, , and newly minted San Francisco 49er Vederian Lowe.