Former Alabama Football Player Charged in $20M Loan Fraud Scheme

Luther Davis allegedly impersonated 3 NFL players to obtain fraudulent loans

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:43pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shredded fake driver's license, conceptually illustrating the identity theft and financial fraud at the center of this criminal case.A stark visual representation of the alleged fraud scheme, in which a former college football player is accused of impersonating NFL stars to illegally obtain millions in loans.Atlanta Today

Former University of Alabama defensive lineman Luther Davis has been charged with federal crimes for allegedly impersonating three NFL players - Michael Penix Jr., Xavier McKinney, and David Njoku - in order to fraudulently obtain nearly $20 million in loans. Davis and a business partner are accused of setting up fake companies, email accounts, and identities to pose as the professional football players and secure the multi-million dollar loans without the players' knowledge.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and financial fraud targeting high-profile athletes, as well as the challenges of policing such schemes. It also raises concerns about the vulnerability of the lending industry to sophisticated scams, even as financial regulations have tightened in recent years.

The details

According to federal prosecutors, Davis and his partner CJ Evins executed the scheme from May 2023 through October 2024. They would register companies with names similar to the impersonated players, open bank accounts for those fake firms, and create fraudulent email accounts to pose as the NFL stars. Davis is accused of using wigs and fake IDs to physically impersonate the players during in-person loan meetings.

  • The alleged scheme began in May 2023 and continued through October 2024.
  • Davis is set to plead guilty to the federal charges on April 27, 2026.

The players

Luther Davis

A former defensive lineman for the University of Alabama who is facing federal charges for impersonating three NFL players to fraudulently obtain nearly $20 million in loans.

Michael Penix Jr.

An NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons who was impersonated by Davis as part of the loan fraud scheme.

Xavier McKinney

An NFL safety for the Green Bay Packers who was impersonated by Davis as part of the loan fraud scheme.

David Njoku

A current free agent NFL tight end who was impersonated by Davis as part of the loan fraud scheme.

CJ Evins

Davis' business partner who allegedly collaborated with him on the loan fraud scheme.

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What they’re saying

“Beginning no later than in or around May 2023 and continuing through in or about October 2024, the defendant, Luther Davis, and CJ Evins, executed a scheme to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars in loans from multiple lenders, including, but not limited to, Aliya Sports and All Pro Capital Funding, by impersonating professional football players and falsely claiming those players were seeking multi-million dollar Loans.”

— Federal Prosecutors

What’s next

Davis is set to plead guilty to the federal charges at a hearing on April 27, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and financial fraud targeting high-profile athletes, as well as the challenges of policing such sophisticated scams. It also raises concerns about the vulnerability of the lending industry to elaborate impersonation schemes, even as financial regulations have tightened in recent years.