C.J. Davis
No headshot available
Career Summary
C.J. Davis was an NFL offensive lineman and a Pitt standout who played both guard and center in college.
Known at Pitt as C.J. Davis, Emmanuel F. Davis Jr. developed into a long-term starter for the Panthers before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2009. NFL and team materials list him as a guard, while Pitt documented his ability to work at both guard and center.
Section reviewed
Early Life
Davis was born in Millsboro, Delaware, and moved to western Pennsylvania during high school.
Davis was born February 2, 1987, in Millsboro, Delaware. Pitt noted that he moved from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to western Pennsylvania after his freshman high-school season and later attended West Allegheny.
Section reviewed
High School
At West Allegheny, Davis earned statewide recognition as an offensive lineman and also contributed on defense.
Davis became a three-year starter at West Allegheny after relocating to Pennsylvania. As a senior he earned first-team Associated Press Pennsylvania Class AAA all-state recognition on the offensive line, received Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Terrific 25 honors, and recorded 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Section reviewed
Sources for this section
College Career
Davis started 43 games during a four-year Pitt career and earned first-team All-Big East recognition as a senior.
Davis played in 45 games and made 43 starts for Pitt, including 30 consecutive starts entering his 2008 senior season. He started all 12 games at left guard in 2006, made 12 left-guard starts in 2007, and was a fourth-year starter in 2008. Pitt listed him as first-team All-Big East in 2008.
Section reviewed
Path to the NFL
Carolina signed Davis as an undrafted college free agent after his Pitt career.
After leaving Pitt, Davis signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted college free agent in 2009. NFL coverage of his later signing with Denver cited his 43 Pitt starts and All-Big East senior season.
Section reviewed
NFL Career
Davis spent time with Carolina and Denver, appearing in seven games for the Panthers in 2010 before joining the Broncos in 2012.
Carolina placed Davis on injured reserve in 2009. He appeared in seven games for the Panthers in 2010, then missed 2011 after an injury and was signed by Denver to a future contract on February 15, 2012. Pitt’s 2023 media guide lists his NFL affiliations as Carolina from 2009 through 2010 and Denver in 2012.
Section reviewed
Career Accomplishments
His record includes a first-team All-Big East senior season, 43 college starts and freshman All-America recognition.
Davis earned first-team All-Big East honors as a senior at Pitt after building a 43-start college career. Earlier, he received Scout.com second-team Freshman All-America recognition in 2005 and won Pitt’s Ed Conway Award as the team’s most improved player after the 2006 season.
Section reviewed
Playing Style
Pitt valued Davis as a durable interior lineman who could play guard or center.
Pitt’s materials described Davis as an interior lineman capable of playing both guard and center. His extended run at left guard, including 30 consecutive starts entering his senior year, reflected his durability and role in the Panthers’ line.
Section reviewed
Legacy
Davis left Pitt as a decorated, experienced offensive lineman whose college career led to NFL opportunities.
Davis’s rise from West Allegheny to a four-year Pitt contributor produced 43 starts, conference recognition and an NFL opportunity. His 2007 line helped support a Pitt rushing attack led by LeSean McCoy, who rushed for 1,328 yards that season.
Section reviewed
Post-Career
The reviewed team and league sources do not provide reliable detail on Davis’s work after football.
The reviewed official and team sources document Davis’s football career but do not provide enough reliable detail to summarize his post-football activities.
Section reviewed
22593, 00-0026705, 1987-02-02, C.J. Davis, Emmanuel, Davis
MFT PLAYER RANKINGS
Current player ranking
Compare current players by position using the transparent MFT statistical model.