With tight end Vernon Davis the sixth overall selection by San Francisco in 2006, his younger brother, Vontae, could be joining him shortly as a first-round pick. That means 2009 could mark the first time the two brothers will compete vs. each other in an organized football game.

The Fighting Illini cornerback was the cornerstone for Illinois returning to the postseason in his sophomore year. Much like Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins, Davis is one of the most physical pass defenders in the collegiate game. A little more of a gambler than Jenkins, Davis has been known for coming up for the spectacular play in crunch time situations.

In 36 games at Illinois, Davis was responsible for the opposition turning the ball over 12 times and has also delivered 13.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Unlike most cornerbacks, the Illini junior has provided the team with a dominant force vs. the running game, as six of his seven stops for loss in 2008 came inside the red zone. Of his 78 tackles that season, 23 came on third-down plays, with two others on fourth-down action.

At powerhouse Dunbar High School, Davis was a Prep Star All-American and Washington D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year. He was named to the Washington Post All-Metro team, in addition to picking up DCIAA West first-team All-Conference honors. He was rated the top recruit in the Washington D.C. area by Rivals.com, and received a three-star recruit ranking by Rivals.com and Scout.com.

Davis had eight interceptions and 38 solo tackles as a senior. He also added 25 receptions for 612 yards and recorded more than 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2005. He led Dunbar High to a 9-2 record and defeated Coolidge in the Turkey Bowl, the DCIAA city championship game.

The third-fastest defensive back at the State College NIKE camp, Davis chose Illinois over Maryland, Michigan State and Virginia. He was a consensus Freshman All-American first-team pick in 2006, adding All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention and team Rookie of the Year honors. In his first collegiate season, he started all but the Ohio State contest at strong-side cornerback. He ranked sixth on the squad with 52 tackles (30 solos), as he picked off one pass and deflected six others.

As a sophomore, Davis was named All-Big Ten Conference first-team. He was the only sophomore selected a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back. He started 12 games at right cornerback, missing the Northwestern clash and three quarters of the Ohio State contest after suffering a concussion. He still managed to finish fourth on the team with 76 tackles (56 solos) that included four stops for loss. He deflected eight passes and intercepted four others. On special teams, he averaged 29.0 yards on four kickoff returns and blocked two punts, returning one for a touchdown.

Davis was a Playboy All-American selection in 2008, adding All-Big Ten Conference first-team honors, as he was again a Thorpe Award semifinalist. He started 11 games, coming off the bench vs. Iowa, as he placed second on the squad with 78 tackles (53 solos) and seven stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused three fumbles and recovered another while breaking up eight passes to go with a pair of interceptions. He also averaged 19.8 yards on five kickoff returns.

GENERAL REPORT

GRADE: 6.8

Body Structure: Davis has a muscular physique with defined upper-body tone, tight waist and hips, strong thighs, knotted calves and minimal body fat. His frame has room for additional growth without it affecting his very good timed speed. He has a large wingspan, used effectively to wrap and secure in the open field, and the large, natural hands to make the interception.

Athletic Ability: Davis has the ideal size of a lockdown cornerback. He displays incredible athleticism and shows above-average body control. Blessed with a load of athletic talent (brother is San Francisco tight end Vernon Davis, who has similar natural ability). He has exceptional quickness and speed and keeps his feet moving. He shows the agility and balance to redirect and the change-of-direction skills to work his way quickly to the perimeter. He has smooth hips and explosion out of his plant. He is smooth in his movements and runs with ease staying on the hip of the receiver working upfield. Uses a strong hand punch to consistently reroute his opponent, but his main flaw is playing with the desired fire in his belly and consistency scouts desire. There are times when Davis just seems to be going through the motions. GRADE: 7.9

Football Sense: Davis shows good field intelligence, but has mental lapses. He struggles with combo routes and needs to do a better job of anticipating the quarterback when working in the deep zone. He has no problems carrying out assignments in front of him. He will not have problems dealing with the mental aspect of the game at the next level, but he doesn't do a great job reading routes, trying to get by on his athleticism. He can be fooled by the receiver, rising out of his pedal too early. Can improve reading the quarterback. GRADE: 5.8

Character: Davis has matured. He is liked by teammates and has had no known off-field issues. He comes from good football bloodlines, as his brother, Vernon was a first-round tight end presently playing for the 49ers. He still had issues with the staff over his inconsistent play in 2008, leading to a brief benching vs. Iowa, but the staff still swears about his work ethic. GRADE: 5.8

Competitiveness: Davis is mentally tough and a solid hitter who could play safety if needed. He will hustle and run down a ballcarrier from across the field and seems to enjoy contact in run support. While inconsistent on the field at times, it is not because he lacks effort. GRADE: 6.0

Work Habits: Davis is a hard worker in practice and the weight room. He has a cooperative attitude and is easy to coach. He does what the staff asks from him and sacrifices personal success for that of the team. He seems to be more comfortable playing at weak-side cornerback after playing on the strong-side earlier in his career. He shows the short-term memory required to star at his position and takes a good business-like approach on the field, but there are times he relies too much on his athletic ability and will gamble often because of it. GRADE: 6.0

ATHLETIC REPORT

GRADE: 7.08

Key and Diagnostic Skills: Davis is developing good timing and a feel to make plays on the ball. He shows adequate zone instincts, but is quick to read and react to plays in front of him. He still needs to show better anticipation on combo routes and rely on technique rather than just athleticism. He is more alert in man coverage, breaking well on the ball, but when he plays in control and does not try to gamble, he is alert to pocket movement and does a good job of reading the quarterback. He has improved his timing and hand-eye coordination to get his hand up for the pass deflection, but might never develop into a standout interceptor. He hits with a thud and is one of the better run defenders in the draft at his position. GRADE: 7.1

Man Coverage Ability: Davis has outstanding timed speed and excellent hip flip to mirror the receiver throughout the route. He is very aggressive closing on the ball and has the hand punch and jolt to easily jam even tight ends at the line. He times hits well and shows fluid turning motion to keep relationship and ride the hip of the receiver coming out of his breaks. He plays tight on his assignment coming off the line of scrimmage. He can get a little inconsistent in his technique when backing off, but even when he falls off his man on his bump technique, he recovers quickly. Effective playing the trail, cover or cushion, showing good plant-and-drive ability to mirror the receiver. He is very smooth in his movements and has the speed to stay with almost any receiver. He has very good closing ability and is very active with his hands in press. GRADE: 7.4

Zone Coverage Ability: Davis shows good ball-anticipation skills and can easily read the quarterback. He gets a good break on the ball, but needs to demonstrate better anticipation on combo routes. He will get too aggressive, causing him to lose relationship with his coverage assignment. He shows the ability to sink under deep throws, but needs to be a little more patient. He could eventually become a safety later in his career, for not only does he have strong hands, but he knows how to punch the ball free and force fumbles. Rarely bites on play action, but there are still times when he will gamble and jump a route (his biggest weakness is his inconsistency). GRADE: 6.5

Backpedal Skills: Davis is smooth in his pedal, showing a burst out of transition, but only when he keeps his pad level down. When he gets too tall, his footwork tends to get sloppy, relying then on his world class speed to bail him out. He can really stick and close on the ball when he recognizes the play. He often plays his man tight, turning and running upfield with urgency. He can get a little inconsistent with his pad level and footwork at times, but has the quick feet to recover. He shows fluid hips to plant and drive. The thing you see on film is his ability to close with a sudden burst. GRADE: 6.7

Ball Reaction Skills: Davis can break and make plays on the ball in front of him. The only time he struggles is on combo routes. He has a very quick plant-and-drive step closing on the receiver and can be explosive. He has made good strides improving his timing, and has a good feel for receivers before they can attack the coverage. He is just adequate reading deep routes though, and will gamble and jump on the receiver's double move. He will rely more on his speed and closing burst to get to the reception point on deep throws. GRADE: 6.5

Range/Recovery: This is where Davis excels. When he does lose relationship with receivers on deep routes, he has confidence in his speed to catch up when his opponent gets behind him. He shows an adequate trail technique, but can cover ground quickly. His stop-and-go quickness is above-average. Has the speed to cover up mistakes, as his 4.4 timing in a 40-yard dash run on grass is the same when wearing full pads. GRADE: 7.7

Jumping Ability: Davis has very good body control to run, jump and adjust to the ball in the air, he lacks natural hands for the interception. He times leaps well and gets good elevation going up for the ball, but will use his body more than try to extend for the ball outside his frame. He shows adequate ability to track the ball and adjust to it accordingly while in flight. He does this with a competitive attitude and knowing that he will not make the interception, he compensates by knocking the ball away at its high point. GRADE: 6.8

Hands: Can track the ball over his shoulder, but has just adequate hands. He struggles to reach and pluck for the ball, preferring to absorb it into his body. He looks like he can catch the ball in practice, yet when his head is not in the game, he will lose concentration and bobble the ball. GRADE: 6.2

Run Defense: Davis is very effective playing inside the box. He likes to stick his hat in the pile and will not hesitate to support vs. the run. He is a strong, physical tackler who has that low center of gravity and strong leg drive to simply neutralize the forward momentum of even the biggest of running backs. There are times where he will take a side, but with his size and strength, he has no problem lowering his shoulder and thud mash hats along the way. He has good hand strength to take on blocks and shed. When he stays active with his hands, he will easily disengage to play off blocks, and you can see he enjoys the hitting in the box, where he gets to highlight his true aggression. GRADE: 8.2

Tackling Ability: Davis delivers excellent pop when he squares to hit. He plays with good knee bend and has enough strength to take on the lead blocker and clog the rush lane. He is not afraid to face up offensive linemen and will do anything he can to get the ballcarrier to the ground. He is a truly violent striker who will not hesitate to square up and put his hat on the opponent. When he gets too upright, he does revert to arm- and grab-tackling. GRADE: 7.7

Compares To: RON BARTELL, St. Louis -- Davis packs a good punch as a tackler, but plays out of control. He is a bit of a riverboat gambler and is eager to attack the ball, but he shows good hands and timing to disrupt the pass before the receiver can settle under it. He needs to play with better control and based on the average year he had in 2008, he could have used another year in school to improve his draft stock, which has been sliding a bit ever since his standout freshman season. But, once he matures, he could rank with the league's elite.

OVERALL GRADE: 6.95

Davis started 34 of 36 games he played in for the Fighting Illini, recording 206 tackles (139 solos) with 13.5 stops for losses totaling 34 yards and three quarterback pressures … Had three forced fumbles and recovered two others … Gained 12 yards on seven interception returns and deflected 22 passes … Returned nine kickoffs for 215 yards (23.9 avg) and blocked two punts for 31 yards in returns, including one touchdown.

All-American first-team choice by Playboy … Consensus All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection … Started 11 games at strong-side cornerback, coming off the bench vs. Iowa … Ranked second on the team with a career-high 78 tackles (53 solos) that included seven stops for losses of 18 yards and one quarterback pressure … Tied for second in the conference with three forced fumbles … Intercepted two passes, broke up eight others and recovered one fumble … Gained 99 yards on five kickoff returns (19.8 avg) … Saw his opponents complete 34 of 53 passes targeted into his area (64.15%) for 269 yards (7.91 yards per completion/5.08 yards per pass attempt) and four touchdowns, as eleven of those catches resulted in first downs … Registered 23 third-down stops, including 17 vs. the pass, adding two more on fourth-down action … Collected nine of his tackles inside the red zone, including six on goal-line plays.

Missouri … Davis opened the season with two pass break-ups and five tackles (4 solos), taking down Tommy Sanders for no gain on a reception during the first play of the game from scrimmage … Made four of his tackles on third-down snaps … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#4-Jared Perry (6:01-180)-caught one pass for 2 yards vs. Davis.

Eastern Illinois … Davis followed with a pass break-up, one pressure and another five tackles (3 solos) … Two of his hits came on third-down plays … Brought out the EIU punting unit in the third quarter after he knocked down a third-&-9 pass attempt by QB Bodie Reeder … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#87-Charlie Graves (6:01-179)-caught one pass for 15 yards vs. Davis.

Louisiana-Lafayette … The junior cornerback registered a season-high thirteen tackles (11 solos) with 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage, as he caused and recovered a fumble and broke up one pass … He stripped the ball away from receiver Lance Kelley, recovering the ball at the Illini 35 to set up a 51-yard field goal … ULL settled for a 24-yard field goal after Davis tackled tailback Tyrell Fenroy for a 5-yard loss on a third-&-goal rushing attempt later in the opening frame … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#84-Louis Lee (5:11-190)-caught two passes for 18 yards vs. Davis.

Michigan … Davis delivered two stops behind the line of scrimmage and made nine tackles (6 solos) that included two third-down hits to go with a forced fumble and a pass break-up … The Wolverines had to punt after the cornerback broke up a third-&-7 pass attempt by QB Steven Threet early in the second quarter … His collision with tailback Brandon Minor caused a fumble with 1:36 left in the first half … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#82-LaTerryl Savoy (6:03-206)-caught one pass for 7yards vs. Davis.

Minnesota … Davis registered seven tackles, including one for a loss and deflected two passes … A blown assignment saw Eric Decker catch a 25-yard touchdown pass on the Gophers first series, but Davis later leveled Decker for a 3-yard loss … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#7-Eric Decker (6:02-215)-caught two passes for 22 yards and a 25-yard touchdown vs. Davis.

Indiana … The strong-side cornerback bounced back with seven tackles (5 solos), including a stop for a 3-yard loss when he chased down tailback Marcus Thigpen in the backfield in the second quarter … Tore the ball away from Andrew Means after the receiver caught a third-&-4 pass for 7 yards and the Illini recovered the pigskin … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#13-Andrew Means (6:01-216)-caught one pass for 7 yards vs. Davis.

Wisconsin … It was a long day for Davis, who posted three tackles, but was beaten for touchdown catches of 49 yards in the third quarter and 8 yards in the fourth quarter by David Gilreath … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#85-David Gilreath (5:11-166)-caught two passes for 57 yards and two touchdowns vs. Davis.

Iowa … Was benched after his Wisconsin performance, but came in as a reserve, picking off a Ricky Stanzi pass for a 12-yard return in the fourth quarter, making up for fumbling a kickoff return earlier in that stanza.

Ohio State … Davis was in on five tackles (4 solos) that included chasing down QB Terrelle Pryor for a 1-yard loss as time expired in the first half … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#12-Dane Sanzenbacher (5:11-177)-did not catch any passes vs. Davis.

Northwestern … Closed out his career with nine tackles (8 solos) … Also picked off a C.J. Bacher pass at the Illini 10 midway through the third quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment: WR#8-Rasaheed Ward (5:11-180)-caught three passes for 18 yards vs. Davis.

Was the only sophomore named a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award … Selected All-Big Ten Conference first-team by the league's coaches, earning second-team honors from the media … Started twelve games, missing three quarters of action vs. Ohio State and the Northwestern contest after suffering a concussion in the first quarter vs. the Buckeyes …

Ranked sixth in the league with eight pass deflections and four interceptions, as he finished fourth on the team with 76 tackles (56 solos), including four stops for losses of 9 yards and one quarterback pressures … Blocked two punts for 31 yards in returns, including a touchdown … Added 116 yards on four kickoff returns (29.0 avg).

Blocked a punt that he returned 2 yards for a touchdown and posted ten tackles (6 solos) with a stop for a loss vs. Missouri … Added five tackles with two pass break-ups vs. Western Illinois … Registered nine tackles (7 solos) with an 11-yard kickoff return, blocked a punt that he advanced 29 yards and picked off a pass vs. Indiana … Registered another pass theft vs. Penn State and six tackles with an interception vs. Wisconsin … Added eight hits (6 solos) vs. Iowa and was in on seven stops (4 solos) as he also broke up a pass vs. Ball State … Returned a kickoff 63 yards to set up a touchdown drive vs. Michigan … Took down Chris Wells for a 2-yard loss on a rushing attempt, adding five tackles and a pass deflection vs. Ohio State … Posted a career-high thirteen solo tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss vs. Southern California in the Rose Bowl.

Freshman All-American selection by The Sporting News, Scout.com and Rivals.com … Earned honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors by both the coaches and the media … Named the team's Rookie of the Year … Started all but the Ohio State game at right cornerback, as the 185-pound first-year player finished sixth on the team with 52 tackles (30 solos) that included 2.5 stops for minus 7 yards and a quarterback pressures … Broke up six passes, recovered a fumble and had one interception.

Recorded five tackles and recovered a fumble at Northwestern … Had four tackles and a pass broken up vs. Purdue … Added four tackles, including one for loss and a pass broken up vs. Ohio State … Tied a season-high with five solo tackles at Wisconsin, making eight total stops vs. the Badgers … Recorded four solo tackles and a pass break-up at Penn State and recorded two tackles, including a solo vs. Ohio University … Made nine tackles, including five solos, vs. Indiana … Assisted on two tackles and broke up a pass at Michigan State … Added seven tackles, including three solos, vs. Iowa, as he also deflected a pass vs. the Hawkeyes … Registered four tackles vs. Syracuse, including one solo … Against Eastern Illinois, Davis recorded two solo tackles, a tackle-for-loss and an interception, which came in the end zone, thwarting a Panther drive.

2007: Suffered a concussion in the first quarter vs. Ohio State (11/10), missing the rest of that game and the following week vs. Northwestern (11/17).

Combine: 4.40 in the 40-yard dash … 1.47 10-yard dash … 2.53 20-yard dash … 4.07 20-yard shuttle … 6.75 three-cone drill … 36-inch vertical jump … 10'5" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 25 times … 30-inch arm length … 9 1/4-inch hands.

Attended Dunbar (Washington, D.C.) High School, playing football for head coach Craig Jefferies … Prep Star All-American and Washington D.C. Gatorade Player of the Year … Was named to the Washington Post All-Metro team, in addition to picking up DCIAA West first-team All-Conference honors … Rated the top recruit in the Washington D.C. area by Rivals.com, and received a three-star recruit ranking by Rivals.com and Scout.com … Had eight interceptions and 38 solo tackles as a senior … Added 25 receptions for 612 yards and recorded more than 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2005 … Led Dunbar High to a 9-2 record and defeated Coolidge in the Turkey Bowl, the DCIAA city championship game.

Speech Communications major … Raised by his grandmother, Adeline Davis … Brother, Vernon, played tight end at Maryland and was the sixth overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, selected by the San Francisco 49ers … Born Vontae O. Davis on 5/27/88 … Resides in Washington, D.C.