Illinois Football Great Vontae Davis Found Dead In South Florida

Shandel Richardson | Apr 1, 2024

Oct 25, 2008; Madison, WI, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini defensive back Vontae Davis (1) warms up - Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Sports / Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The University of Illinois lost a member of its football family on Monday.

It was announced great Vontae Davis was found dead in South Florida. The cause of death is unknown at this time. He was 35. According to WSVN, police arrived at the Davis residence and "said that a male was found deceased at the home and that no foul play was involved."

Davis played for the Illini from 2006-2008. He appeared in all 36 games during his career in Champaign.

Illinois assistant basketball coach Chester Frazier posted on social media, "#IlliniNation we lost a great today!!! RIP TO @vontaedavis man nothing but good memories of that dude in school!!! Praying for the Davis family!!"

#illinination we lost a great today!!! RIP TO @vontaedavis man nothing but good memories of that dude in school!!! Praying for the Davis family!!

— Chester Frazier (@CoachFrazierILL) April 1, 2024

A Baltimore native, Frazier grew up nearby Davis, who is from the Washington D.C. area.

Davis, who was a Freshman All-American, had his breakout as a sophomore. He had 56 tackles while tying for third in the Big Ten with four interceptions. He also had 13 tackles against USC in the Rose Bowl that season.

Davis left Illinois after his junior year, declaring the NFL Draft. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the No. 25 pick. He started three seasons with the Dolphins before he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in 2012. He was a two-time Pro Bowler with the Colts before finishing his career as a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2018. He retired from the Bills abruptly that season, saying he was no longer interested in playing football.