Writing Illini
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Top 10 NFL careers by an Illinois football player

By Rees Woodcock

Sept. 11, 2005; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end #97 Simeon Rice is all smiles after his team scores late in the fourth quarter to insure their win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Tampa Bay wins 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Bruce Kluckhohn
Sept. 11, 2005; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end #97 Simeon Rice is all smiles after his team scores late in the fourth quarter to insure their win over the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. Tampa Bay wins 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2005 Bruce Kluckhohn /
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Jan 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Indianapolis Colts and Team Rice players Vontae Davis (21) and receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) react during 2016 Pro Bowl practice at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2016; Kahuku, HI, USA; Indianapolis Colts and Team Rice players Vontae Davis (21) and receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) react during 2016 Pro Bowl practice at Turtle Bay Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7 Vontae Davis

The Ron Zook era produced some great high school recruits. One of the best recruiting snags that he was able to get was cornerback, Vontae Davis.

Davis came to the Illinois football program from Dunbar High School in Washington D.C. He was an instant success with the Orange and Blue as well. He made the freshman All-American team in year one. Davis would then go on to make the All-Big Ten team for the next two seasons. In 2008, he was an All-American.

The NFL was calling and Davis answered. In the 2009 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the No. 25 overall pick.

Davis would storm onto the scene and would be one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He would eventually make two Pro Bowl appearances with the Indianapolis Colts. For his career, Davis would have 22 interceptions, which was No. 4 all-time by an Illinois player in the NFL. He also had 395 tackles, which ranks No. 7.

The career of Davis was impressive in the NFL. He played 10 seasons and helped the Dolphins and Colts have one of the best defenses in the league. I think Davis has cemented himself in the top 10 NFL careers by an Illinois football player. I have him at No. 7 on this list.

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