Chambana Sun

Illinois offensive lineman J.C. Davis has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Outland Trophy, according to an announcement by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on Tuesday.

Davis, who plays left tackle for the Fighting Illini, is among 50 returning interior linemen recognized nationwide and one of only 16 offensive tackles included on this year’s list.

The Outland Trophy is presented each year to college football’s top interior lineman, whether on offense or defense. The award is named after Dr. John Outland, a former All-American at Penn in the late 1890s. FWAA members vote on candidates before finalists are selected by the FWAA All-America Committee.

Recent recipients of the Outland Trophy include Kelvin Banks Jr., an offensive tackle from Texas (2024), T'Vondre Sweat, a defensive tackle from Texas (2023), and Olusegun Oluwatimi, a center from Michigan (2022).

Davis enters the upcoming season with several honors. He was selected for the 2025 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten First Team and the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten Fourth Team. Davis has started 37 consecutive games and was named to both the 2024 All-Big Ten Third Team by coaches and as an honorable mention by media. He also earned recognition as Illinois’ Male Newcomer of the Year in 2024.

Last season, Davis started all 13 games at left tackle and was part of Illinois’ victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, where he allowed no pressures and was named to the AP All-Bowl Team. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he held an 87.6 pass-blocking grade during postseason play, ranking him seventh nationally among tackles with at least 40 snaps.

Other Illinois players have also been named to preseason watch lists as of July 29: Luke Altmyer for the Maxwell Award; Gabe Jacas for both the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy; and Xavier Scott for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.