Former Alabama player charged in $20M fraud case

Luther Davis accused of impersonating NFL stars to obtain fraudulent loans

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:24pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a fake driver's license or other fraudulent identification document, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A stark close-up of a fraudulent ID used in an alleged $20 million scheme targeting professional athletes exposes the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to identity theft.Atlanta Today

Former University of Alabama football player Luther Davis has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly impersonating several current and former NFL players, including Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, to fraudulently obtain nearly $20 million in loans.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and fraud targeting professional athletes, whose personal information and high profiles can make them vulnerable to such schemes. It also raises concerns about the security measures in place for financial transactions, especially those conducted virtually.

The details

According to federal prosecutors, Davis and his accomplice CJ Evins obtained 13 fraudulent loans by using fake IDs and disguises to impersonate players during 'virtual loan closings.' The players named in the report, including Penix, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, and Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney, were not involved in the scheme beyond having their identities stolen.

  • The scheme allegedly began in May 2023 and continued through October 2024.
  • Davis is expected to plead guilty to the charges this month.

The players

Luther Davis

A former defensive lineman for the University of Alabama who was part of the 2009 national championship team, and now owns a sports management company in Georgia.

CJ Evins

Davis' alleged accomplice in the fraud scheme.

Michael Penix

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback whose identity was allegedly stolen by Davis and Evins.

David Njoku

The Cleveland Browns tight end whose identity was allegedly stolen by Davis and Evins.

Xavier McKinney

The Green Bay Packers safety whose identity was allegedly stolen by Davis and Evins.

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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 expected to plead guilty to the charges this month, and the judge will then determine his sentence.

The takeaway

This case highlights the vulnerability of professional athletes to identity theft and financial fraud, and the need for stronger security measures and oversight in the financial industry, especially for high-profile individuals.