Illinois CB Davis to enter draft

Dec 22, 2008 - 5:39 PM CHAMPAIGN, Illinois (Ticker) -- Illinois junior cornerback Vontae Davis, who has been projected as a possible first-round pick, announced Monday that he will enter next year's NFL draft.

A three-year starter for Illinois, Davis led Big Ten Conference cornerbacks this season with 78 tackles along with two interceptions.

The two-time first-team All-Big Ten pick is the younger brother of San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis.

"It has been a goal of mine for a long time to have the opportunity to play in the NFL," Davis said. "I thank (Illinois) Coach (Ron) Zook and all my teammates at Illinois who have helped me get to this place.

"Because I was able to get on the field early at Illinois and because Coach Zook believed in me so much, I think I am ready for the new challenge that professional football brings."

Last year, Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I am very happy and proud for Vontae," Zook said in a statement released by the school. "We knew when he arrived on campus three years ago, that he was an athlete capable of making the jump from college football to the professional game."

Despite Davis' stellar play in the secondary, Illinois (5-7) finished with a losing record after playing in the Rose Bowl last season.