Illinois football got a welcome surprise when left tackle J.C. Davis was able to return to the team after gaining an extra year of eligibility after the Diego Pavila ruling.

Davis was a Third Team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in his first season at Illinois.

Prior to the Illini’s bowl game, Davis got a visit from Bret Bielema and other Illini staffers while at home with family in Oakland, CA. He said that level of commitment to fly out and visit him further reinforced the support he’s received in Champaign.

“Well, I already felt like I was important, like I already thought that, that just really shows who he is or what type of coach he is,” Davis said. “He really came down, he really wanted me a few days before Christmas.”

Davis said it was a difficult decision to forgo the NFL for one more year, but he’s glad to be back in Champaign.

“It was really tough. I feel like I didn’t make it until a few days before the game because I still was thinking about it. When your dream is this close, you’re like, ‘I could be there, allowed to be there like, no matter what round, I just need an opportunity to be there be on the team. But I feel like I made the right decision.”