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Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive end Luther Davis used three NFL players in a scheme to secure nearly $20 million in loans, according to federal court records obtained by ESPN on Thursday (April 16).
Davis, who was part of head coach Nick Saban's first of six national championship teams during his tenure at Alabama in 2009, was charged with wire fraud and identity theft in connection with a scheme from May 2023 to October 2024 in which he reportedly pretended to be Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku and Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney to secure loans from multiple lending agencies. None of the players had authorized the loans that Davis obtained and the fraudulent email accounts were created without their knowledge, according to the report.
Davis and his alleged partner in the scheme, CJ Evins, are scheduled to appear for plea hearings on April 27. Evins is facing wire fraud and identity theft charges in the same case, according to a separate filing, and his attorney, Ben Alper, confirmed to ESPN via email that he plans to plead guilty.
ESPN said Davis' attorney didn't immediately respond to its request for comment on Thursday. Davis was a four-star prospect for the 2007 national recruiting cycle, according to On3.com and appeared in games for the Tide during four seasons from 2007 to 2010.