Illinois junior cornerback Vontae Davis will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

"It has been a goal of mine for a long time to have the opportunity to play in the NFL," Davis said. "I thank 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. I have had great support from everyone - starting with my family and Coach Jefferies at Dunbar - who have helped me come to this very important decision. I know there is a lot of work ahead of me, but I am very excited about the journey I am about to begin."

Draft projections have Davis going early in the first round. His brother Vernon is a former first-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers. He played tight end at Maryland.

Davis earned All-Big Ten honors as both a sophomore and junior. He finished the 2008 season second on the team in tackles.

Davis is the second Illini in two years to give up his final year of eligibility. Rashard Mendenhall left Illinois after the 2007 season and was a first-round pick by Pittsburgh.

Another Illini will face the early departure question after the 2009 season. Receiver Arrelious Benn is considered a strong candidate for an early entry. He will be a junior in 2009. Like Davis, Benn attended Washington Dunbar.