Scouting report: Nate Davis

6’1, 218 pounds | Ball State | Quarterback
Strengths: Watching him play, the first thing that is really noticeable about Davis is his arm. He puts a great touch on passes and typically places them only where his receiver can catch them. Can make a lot of difficult mid-range NFL throws like the corner out. Very good accuracy. Very poised in the pocket. Doesn’t dance around when the pressure is on. Has a high release to make up some for his shorter-than-ideal stature. Possesses the athleticism to tuck the ball and run, even though he doesn’t have great speed.
Weaknesses: The biggest knock on Davis is that he has played in the spread offense his whole career and may be slow to adjust reading NFL defenses. Only took snaps from under on occasion. Height is a major concern. Davis would sometimes have trouble seeing over the left side of his line at Ball State. Played in the Mid-American Conference which doesn’t have a lot of quality defensive backs. Had a good bit of talent around him with tight end Darius Hill and receiver Dante Love, before he was hurt. Struggled down the stretch of his junior year.
Final word: Many believed Davis would stick around for his senior year and become one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, but he decided to enter the draft. This came after former Ball State head coach Brady Hoke took the same job at San Diego State. Davis would have also been without Hill and Love, so it would have been difficult for him to improve on his impressive stats. Although his draft position may not necessarily reflect it, Davis has the tools to become a starter at the next level. He has the arm and maturity in the pocket, it will just be a matter of learning an NFL system and consistently taking snaps from under center. Fairly comparable to Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints.
Round projection: 2