Vontae Davis, a cornerback for Illinois, will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2009 NFL draft. Davis could be the first cornerback selected in April's draft. Davis' older brother Vernon plays tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. "It has been a goal of mine for a long time to have the opportunity to play in the NFL," Davis said in a statement. "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."