Ex-Alabama Football Player Accused of Impersonating NFL Stars in Wild Loan Fraud Scheme

Jaclyn HendricksFri, April 17, 2026 at 5:07 PM UTC

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Alabama's Luther Davis in January 2010Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty -

Luther Davis and CJ Evins allegedly impersonated NFL players to secure $19.8 million in fraudulent loans

Court documents obtained by PEOPLE say Davis disguised himself with makeup and wigs to impersonate players during loan closings

Players like Michael Penix, Jr., David Njoku and Xavier McKinney were impersonated but had no involvement in the alleged scheme

A former University of Alabama football player is accused of impersonating NFL players in a nearly $20 million loan scheme, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Luther Davis, a former defensive end who won a national championship with the Crimson Tide in 2010, along with fellow defendant CJ Evins, "executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in loans from multiple lenders" between May 2023 and October 2024 "by impersonating professional football players and falsely claiming those players were seeking multi-million dollar loans," according to court documents filed in federal court in Atlanta on March 19.

Davis and Evins registered companies with the Georgia Secretary of State "with names closely related to the impersonated player's name or initials" in the scheme, as well as false bank accounts "in the name of the fraudulent companies they had registered," something unbeknownst to the players being impersonated, according to the court documents. False email accounts were also allegedly launched without the players' knowledge.

Alabama's Luther Davis (#96) in action against the Utah Utes in January 2009Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty

Upon connecting with brokers, Davis and Evins are said to have "provided fraudulent documents" and "bank statements for companies purportedly operated by the players." During closings for loans, Davis is alleged to have "dressed in disguise and impersonated the players, providing fake identification documents to convince the notary."

In one instance, Davis is alleged to have worn "makeup and a wig" while impersonating a figure identified as D.N. in the court documents.

Davis and Evins "used the loan proceeds to purchase real estate, vehicles, and jewelry," according to the court documents, which noted the parties "obtained at least thirteen fraudulent loans totaling more than $19,845,000."

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Davis is charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in the March 19 filing that was brought to light by The Guardian this week.

An attorney for Davis did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Sources relayed to The Guardian that former Cleveland Browns tight end Davis Njoku, current Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. were among the players impersonated, with the report noting: "The players are not connected in any way to the alleged scheme, other than by having their identities stolen."

A plea hearing is set for Monday, April 27, with reports indicating Davis is expected to plead guilty.

Davis played for the Crimson Tide from 2007 to 2010 and tallied 47 tackles.

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