Draft Scout Snapshot:DS Rating on 1/13/09: #4 Junior QB, #37/750 Overall, Projected Rnd: 2 in 2010 2007: 13 GP; 13 GS; Rush: 78-237-3-5; Pass: 479-270-56.4-3667-30-6; Rec: 1-9-9-0; 1 Sol-1 TT; First team All-MAC. Started all 13 games at quarterback to earn second letter... set the Ball State single-season record with 3,667 passing yards... 2006: 12 GP; 7 GS; Rush: 29-(-48)-(-1.7)-0; Pass: 245-150-61.2-1975-18-8; Played in all 12 games and started seven games at quarterback as a true freshman to earn first letter... tied the Ball State single-season record with 18 touchdown passes... one brother, Jose Davis, who played football at Kent State, and is now a member of the Arena Football League's Kansas City Brigade... played football at the same high school as National Football League veteran Joey Galloway.
Post-Draft Outlook: A closer look at the 49ers' picks: Round 5/171 - Nate Davis, QB, 6-2, 217, Ball State...Davis visited the 49ers two weeks ago and proved that his learning disability will not stand in the way of his comprehension of an NFL playbook. The 49ers already have Alex Smith, Shaun Hill and Damon Huard on the roster, but they decided Davis was well worth the investment of a fifth-round pick. - by The Sports Xchange
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Overview
Nate Davis could be the next MAC quarterback to make it big in the NFL.
He was the first player in school history to produce back-to-back 3,000-yard passing seasons and compiled a 17-5 record as a starter vs. MAC competition, leading the Cardinals to a 12-2 mark, including an 8-1 record vs. league opponents in his final season.
A finalist for the 2008 Manning Award (nation's top passer) and the MAC's Offensive Player of the Year, Davis was twice the recipient of the John Magnabosco Award, given to the team's Most Valuable Player. In just three seasons, he rewrote the team record books. He left as the all-time leader in touchdown passes (74), passing yards (9,233), pass attempts (1,124), pass completions (678), 250-yard passing games (20) and 300-yard games (nine).
At Bellaire High School, the same school that produced NFL receiver Joey Galloway, Davis lettered three times in football. He earned All-State and All-Conference honors as a senior, helping lead the Big Reds to a 10-0 conference record and a state semifinal appearance, finishing with a 13-1 overall mark. He completed 125-of-207 passes for 2,932 yards and 42 touchdowns.
For his prep career, Davis compiled a 21-8 record as a starter. He set the school all-time record with 113 total touchdowns, and school all-time marks with 7,348 yards and 81 touchdowns passing.
Davis also excelled in basketball at Bellaire High, earning four letters. He eclipsed the school's 50-year-old career scoring record, amassing over 1,800 points. As a senior, he helped the hoops team to a 15-0 start.
Davis made an impact as a true freshman at Ball State in 2006, earning the John Hodge Award as the squad's Most Outstanding Freshman. He started seven games, tying the school season-record with 18 touchdown passes. His 1,975 aerial yards were the fourth-best season total in BSU annals, as he connected on 150-of-245 chances (61.22%).
As a sophomore, Davis shattered the school season-record of 2,377 yards passing by Neil Britt in 1983, registering 3,667 yards on 270-of-478 tries (56.49%). His 30 touchdown passes also established a new team record, as he was intercepted just six times. He also began to show more confidence in his running ability, as the team MVP tallied 235 yards and five scores on the ground, finishing 15th in the nation with an average of 300.31 yards per game in total offense.
Davis was named the league Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. The Manning Award finalist generated 3,591 yards and 26 touchdowns on 258-of-401 throws (64.34%), as he was picked off only eight times. His 3,591 yards ranked 11th in the nation, as he also placed 19th with an average of 278.79 yards per game in total offense.
Prior to the 2008 GMAC Bowl, Ball State head coach Brady Hoke left the team to take over at San Diego State University. Davis decided to bypass his final season of eligibility and applied for the 2009 NFL Draft.
Analysis
Positives: Not tall, but has all other physical tools scouts want in a quarterback. Quick setup and delivery. Over-the-top throwing motion with an efficient release. Very good arm strength. Legitimate NFL accuracy to all levels of the field. Sets his feet and can drive the deep out from the opposite hash with ease. Good touch in the intermediate and deep. Throws a catchable ball with enough loft to allow his receivers to catch it in space and create yardage after the catch. Good mobility in the pocket to buy time and keep plays alive.
Negatives: Shorter than scouts would like. Big numbers were byproduct of spread system. Will have to adjust to taking traditional snaps under center. Struggled against non-MAC foes, including Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl. Plays with gloves on both hands and throws the ball without the laces. Has resisted coaches' attempts to change how he throws the ball. Documented learning disability and might struggle with a complicated NFL playbook.
Compares To: ALEX SMITH, San Francisco -- Davis is a combination of Alex Smith and -- because of his athletic skills -- Baltimore's Troy Smith, undersized passers who rely on their quickness, balance and feet to make big plays on the move. Davis is in the same situation as Alex Smith in that he would've greatly benefited from an additional year in college. If he is drafted into a rebuilding situation without a standout receiver or offensive line, Davis could quickly regress as Alex Smith did. How teams choose to handle Davis in his early NFL career will be critical. He could be devoured by unfriendly media and some are concerned that his last three performances, with Ball State aiming for an undefeated season and Davis looking to the NFL, showed he can't handle immense pressure.
Scouting Report
GENERAL REPORT GRADE: 6.38
Body Structure: Davis lacks the tall frame you look for in a quarterback, but shows good balance and foot quickness. He has good upper-body muscle development, a tight waist with a wide bubble and adequate thickness in his thighs and calves.
Athletic Ability: Davis has adequate timed speed, but shows soft feet, moving with ease in the pocket. He shows good escape ability and can gain positive yardage running with the ball. He seems more comfortable throwing on the move than in the pocket and also makes better decisions when he rolls out and scans the field. His athleticism is evident in his running style and he is such a good athlete, he could have earned a handful of basketball scholarships. He might not have the blazing speed of a Michael Vick or the size of Vince Young, but his feet and strong throwing arm make him a viable threat to score on the ground or throwing the ball on rollouts. He shows the body control and balance to break tackles or avoid the defender with ability to accelerate into the second level. His ability to scramble allows him to stay alive rolling out of the pocket, as well as put the ball away and run with it when his targets are covered. GRADE: 7.2
Football Sense: Davis shows adequate field smarts, but has a documented learning disability and works best in a simplified system. Playing in the spread offense, which requires quick reads, he does a good job of completing the play, but there are doubts that he will be able to digest a complex playbook. He does spend extra hours in the film room, but he struggled adjusting to game situation changes. He plays more on natural instincts, but you wonder if he can take to hard coaching. He has solid field awareness and good pocket presence, but his second-half slump in 2008 was partially due to him looking hesitant or too patient. When he gets antsy, he tends to throw too early, forcing the receiver to break off the route, resulting in costly pass breakups. He does retain plays and is quick to improvise on the run. GRADE: 6.2
Character: Davis is well-respected by the staff and teammates. He has good football bloodlines and looks up to his older brother, Jose, a record-setting quarterback at Kent State in the late 1990s. He has no known off-field issues, but still lacks maturity. After Davis announced he was leaving school early to declare for the 2009 NFL Draft, Greg Fallon, a writer with The Star Press said of Davis: "Off the field, there is Davis' maturity, a side of the QB that goes unseen by the public. Trust me. Having spent a good deal of time in an NFL locker room with professional football players and even more time in press conferences and one-on-one interviews with Nate Davis, I know he's not ready. The national media would shred him to pieces. He comes to press conferences unprepared, answering questions with five and six words, many of which are the same words he used in the previous answer. He comes across immature and unintelligent, something the national media will exploit whether it's a fair assessment or not. Playing like an NFL quarterback on the field and acting like one off it are two different things. To be successful at the next level, you must have mastered both before taking the leap. Right now, he hasn't. Taking everything into account, the promise Davis showed earlier this year has become a huge question mark. Declaring for the NFL draft now would, at best, put Davis in a position of battling for a backup quarterback spot on some bottom-tier NFL franchise roster. That can't be what he wants." GRADE: 5.8
Competitiveness: Davis is not a type that wears his emotions on his sleeve, but takes pride in his play and competes with good toughness. He will play with pain, but he needs to do a better job of sliding when running, rather than try to get tough yardage by running through the defender (poor ball security leads to fumbles when he attacks his opponent). He is cool under pressure and hates to lose. He has developed into a clutch performer who strives to make things happen with the ball in his hands. He shows good accuracy with all of his throws and will make a lethargic defense pay for mistakes. GRADE: 6.3
Work Habits: A good leader, more by-example than by being vocal. He works hard in practice and does the little things to improve. His big problem could be the mental aspect, as he feels more comfortable wearing gloves when playing, much to the angst of the coaching staff. He will need patient coaching, if he is to develop at the next level and the pro staff will have to take into consideration his learning disability and young age. GRADE: 6.4
ATHLETIC REPORT GRADE: 6.88 Setup: Davis has the balance, quick feet and drive back to his throwing point, but operating in the spread, he rarely took a snap under center. He stands tall in the pocket and scans the field well, but is best when throwing on the move. He shows the athleticism to set up in his drops and get a good push from the line of scrimmage, but he's unfamiliar with the traditional technique and footwork of a straight drop. Has the body mechanics to get back quickly to his set point. He is very effective throwing on the move and carries the ball chest-high, doing a good job of setting his feet to generate more power behind his throws. When lining up under center, can step to his target point with good balance in his drop and it helps that he can put good velocity behind his tosses by keeping his feet under him. GRADE: 6.6
Reading Defenses: Davis scans the field well, but due to a lack of ideal height, he has more success reading the defense when on the move. He makes quick and decisive throws and is a very efficient player willing to accept check-downs. Except for a few gambles when the team is trailing, he generally makes good decisions with the ball and knows when to run if protection breaks down. He is a capable touch passer who might have good confidence in his arm and feet, but is not the type who will avoid risk and try to force things. He does a good job of laying the ball away from defenders and when he does not eyeball his primary target, he recognizes underneath coverage, as he did not have as many of his passes tipped at the line of scrimmage in 2008 (48 in 2007). GRADE: 6.5
Release: Has a smooth, over-the-top delivery and an effortless release. He gets the ball off quickly with a compact throwing motion and it is rare to see a big circle in his throws or see him drop the pigskin below his hip. He gets the ball through the throwing arc very well and with good snap. His high release helps him improvise much better when on the move and throws across his body very effectively. GRADE: 7.2
Arm Strength: Can come very close to matching Josh Freeman (Kansas State) and Matthew Stafford (Georgia) in terms of pure arm strength. At the Super Bowl's 11th Annual College All-Star Football Challenge, Davis blew the competition away in the "Long Throw" event. He threw his first ball an astonishing 67 yards and eclipsed that with a heave of 70 yards. Even though Davis has a strong arm, in college he was known for scrambling out of the pocket, which can make him a dual-threat in the NFL. He can put very good zip behind his passes, and is especially effective on deep comebacks, streaks and post patterns. In 2008, 61 of 258 pass completions by Davis went for 20 yards or more. He has the ability to generate very good velocity and zip on all of his throws, whether in the pocket or on rollouts. He is best in the short-to-intermediate area, as some of his deep throws will sail, but he can put the ball on a rope when needed. He has also shown good skills throwing from the far hash and in a West Coast offense, his lively arm could be a big asset, especially when he sets his feet. GRADE: 8.2
Accuracy: A good rhythm passer, Davis completed 60.32% of his throws, with just 1.96% of them intercepted, but could use a bit more trajectory on his tosses --9.43% of his career attempts (106-of-1,124) were deflected. He demonstrates very good touch in the short area, where he can put the ball in places the receivers can get to with minimal or no adjustments, which allows his targets to get positive yardage after the catch. He knows how to change the pace of his intermediate throws when needed and throws a nice, easy pass for his running backs to catch. He might get a little inconsistent going long, but it is not due to a lack of arm strength. He has a rocket for a throwing arm and can fire into the cornerback/safety void without hanging it up. Takes what the defense gives him rather than going for the "home run" ball at every opportunity. He is very good connecting with his receivers when on the move and on touch throws, doing a nice job of threading the needle when throwing into tight areas. GRADE: 6.6
Touch: Davis has good anticipation skills and timing on crossing routes and throws a nice, catchable ball. He also displays a good feel for timing routes, knowing when to throw to the receiver just before his target becomes open. His touch on swings or when dropping it over the top is very impressive, as he seems to know when to let up or put zip to get the ball into tight areas. While Ball State's offense was more designed for the short-to-intermediate game, the coaches had confidence in his arm strength to make all the throws. He makes proper adjustments and has the vision needed to scan the field on the move, but is not as effective when working under center (lacks great height to look over towering defenders). He looks off the defense and distributes the ball well, utilizing all of his receivers with effectiveness. He needs to be quicker looking off his primary target and go through progressions in order to avoid costly sacks. GRADE: 7.0
Poise: Davis showed a calm demeanor on the field most of his career, which makes his last three college games (four sacks, two interceptions, six other passes deflected and six fumbles) more puzzling. He has the quick feet to avoid pressure and ignores defenders when in the pocket. He shows much better focus when scrambling, as he appears more comfortable with his quick feet and strong arm on the move. It is not in his nature to throw the ball up when the pocket collapses, thanks largely to his feel for pressure. GRADE: 7.0
Leadership: Davis is not really vocal, but he is clearly in charge in the huddle. The players look up to him and know he will not get rattled under pressure often. He has the ability to rally his teammates around him and does a nice job when he checks off and runs the offense with good command and knowledge. Still, he was a "big fish" in a little pond and might not be mature enough to gain the respect of veteran players. GRADE: 6.3
Pocket Movement: Davis has soft feet and good balance, more comfortable throwing on the move than when stationary. He will stand in and wait for his target to get open, but invites sacks and his ball security is marginal (six fumbles in his last two games and fifteen total with eight resulting in turnovers over 34 career starts). He does a decent job of keeping his focus downfield and it is rare to see him get nervous when he feels trouble from the bull rush. It helped that he had one of the better offensive lines in the game. His ability to duck, step up, elude and avoid defenders when the pocket collapses stands out on film. He can sense the pocket collapsing and will keep his head up, step up and sacrifice his body to make a completion. He can avoid the sack and buy a second chance, showing the ability to create out of a complete breakdown in protection. GRADE: 7.0
Scrambling Ability: Can move in and out of the pocket but is not the type who will win many foot races into the second level. He ran for 10 TDs and a 2.9-yard average, but 171 carries over three years in a spread offense is normal production. He squares his shoulders nicely when running outside and shows good accuracy throwing from the far hash, where he can pull up and hit with a big play. He shows good hip wiggle and the ability to juke that will make the initial tackler miss, but you'd like to see him slide more rather than attack the opponent to avoid injury risk. His ability to get to the outside and throw makes teams defend the entire field. Still, he is more accurate throwing on the run than in his drops, making him an ideal West Coast offense candidate. GRADE: 6.4
Compares To: ALEX SMITH, San Francisco -- Davis is a combination of Alex Smith and -- because of his athletic skills -- Baltimore's Troy Smith, undersized passers who rely on their quickness, balance and feet to make big plays on the move. Davis is in the same situation as Alex Smith in that he would've greatly benefited from an additional year in college. If he is drafted into a rebuilding situation without a standout receiver or offensive line, Davis could quickly regress as Alex Smith did. How teams choose to handle Davis in his early NFL career will be critical. He could be devoured by unfriendly media and some are concerned that his last three performances, with Ball State aiming for an undefeated season and Davis looking to the NFL, showed he can't handle immense pressure.
OVERALL GRADE: 6.79
--Report by Dave-Te' Thomas
Career Notes
Davis compiled a 22-12 record as a starter at Ball State...His 74 touchdown passes shattered the previous school career-record of 44 by Talmadge Hill (2000-03)...Only Chad Pennington of Marshall (100, 1997-99), Byron Leftwich of Marshall (89, 1999-2002), Tim Lester of Western Michigan (87, 1996-99), Bruce Gradkowski of Toledo (85, 2003-04) and Ben Roethlisberger of Miami, Ohio (84, 2001-03) threw for more touchdowns during their Mid-American Conference careers...Davis also set the school's career record with 9,233 yards passing, topping the old mark of 6,271 yards by Mike Neu (1990-93)...His 9,233 yards moved him ahead of Bruce Gradkowski (9,225) for seventh place in MAC annals... Attempted 1,124 passes, breaking the old BSU all-time record of 970 by Mike Neu, as Davis became the 14th player in conference history to attempt more than 1,000 passes in a career...Completed 678 of those attempts, surpassing Mike Neu's previous Cardinals career record of 580, as those completions also rank ninth in MAC history...His 9,732 yards in total offense topped Mike Neu's old school career-record of 6,459 yards and rank 10th in the Mid-American Conference record books...Completed 60.32% of his passes, joining Joey Lynch (63.8%, 2003-06) and Brent Baldwin (65.7%, 1993-96) as the only Ball State passers to complete over 60% of their attempts in a career...His 20 games with at least 250 yards passing shattered the previous school record of six, shared by Joey Lynch and Talmadge Hill (2000-03)...Davis' 3,667 yards passing in 2007 set the school season-record and his 3,591 yards in 2008 rank second, topping the previous mark of 2,377 yards by Neil Britt in 1983...His 3,667 yards also rank eighth on the MAC's annual record chart...Attempted 478 passes in 2007 and 401 in 2008, breaking the old school season-record of 348 by Neil Britt in 1983...His 478 attempts rank sixth in the conference record books...Completed 258 passes in 2008 and BSU's single-season record 270 in 2007, breaking the old mark of 206 by Neil Britt in 1983...Threw for 26 touchdowns in 2008 and 30 in 2007, topping the old mark of 18 that Davis (2206) shared with Joey Lynch (2005)...His 30 scoring strikes tied Byron Leftwich of Marshall (2002) for ninth on the league record list, and were two shy of his brother, Jose Davis of Kent State, who ranks seventh on the MAC chart with 32 touchdown tosses...Davis' 3,903 yards in total offense in 2008 and 3,902 yards in 2007 are the top two season performances in school history, as his 2008 total rank seventh and his 2007 yardage rank eighth on the conference single-season chart...His 1,927 yards in total offense in 2006 rank fifth on the league's record list for freshmen...His pass completion percentage of 64.34 in 2008 rank second on the BSU season-record list behind Mike Neu (65.72%, 1993)...His 422 yards passing vs. Nebraska in 2007 rank third on the school game-record list behind Mike Neu (469 vs. Toledo in 1993) and Neil Britt (437 vs. Bowling Green in 1983)...Davis' 479 yards in total offense in that Nebraska clash set a new school game-record, topping the previous mark of 450 by Mike Neu vs. Toledo in 1993...His 49 pass attempts vs. Rutgers in 2007 tied Neil Britt's school game-record that was set vs. Bowling Green in 1983...Completed 87.5% of his passes vs. Northeastern in 2008, the third-best completion percentage in a contest by a Cardinals passer, ranking behind Rick Scott (91.7%, 11-of-12, vs. Middle Tennessee in 1974) and Brian Conn (89.5%, 17-of-19, vs. Ohio University in 1999)...Was sacked 53 times for losses of 349 yards, as he had 22 passes intercepted, 106 other attempts deflected and turned the ball over eight times on 15 fumbles.
2008 Season
All-American honorable mention by The NFL Draft Report...All-Mid American Conference first-team choice and named the league's Offensive Player of the Year...Shared the John Magnabosco Most Valuable Player Award with Dante Love...Finalist for the Manning Award (nation's top passer) and earned Walter Camp and Maxwell Award Watch List honors...Became the first player in school history to produce consecutive 3,000-yard passing and total offense seasons...Led the league and ranked 13th in the nation in passing efficiency (156.97), as he also finished 19th in the major college ranks in total offense (278.79 yards per game), placed second in the MAC and 25th in the country in points responsible for (13.71 points per game), finished second in the conference and 11th nationally in passing yardage (3,591) and ranked 18th in the collegiate ranks with an average of 256.5 yards per game passing...His 258 pass completions on 401 attempts (64.34%) with 26 touchdowns all rank second on the school single-season list...Was intercepted just eight times and gained 312 yards with five touchdowns on 64 carries (4.7-yard average)...Totaled 3,901 yards in total offense, the second-best season total in school history (also rank eighth in conference annals)...Guided an offense that ranked 17th in the nation with an average of 442.5 yards per game...Sacked 14 times for minus-94 yards, as he had eight passes intercepted and 29 others deflected...Turned the ball over four times on six fumbles...166 of his 258 pass completions produced first downs, as he was responsible for converting 74-of-159 third-down plays (46.54%)...61 of his pass completions were good for 20 yards or longer.
Davis was the recipient of the team's John Magnabosco Most Valuable Player Award...Started every game, completing 270-of-478 passes (56.49%) for 3,667 yards and 30 touchdowns, all setting new school single-season records...Intercepted just six times and had 48 others passes deflected...Led the league with a 138.84 passing efficiency rating...Was second in the conference and 15th nationally with an average of 300.31 yards per game in total offense, as his 3,901 total yards set a BSU season-record that Davis would later break in 2008...Added 235 yards and five touchdowns on 78 carries (3.0-yard average)...Engineered 95-of-202 third-down plays (47.03%) and 168 of his 270 pass completions produced first downs, but he also turned the ball over three times on six fumbles.
Davis earned the John Hodge Award, given to the team's Most Outstanding Freshman, as he started seven games and appeared in all 12 contests during his first year at the university...His 1,975 yards passing rank fourth on the school season-record list and rank fifth among freshmen in the history of the Mid-American Conference...His 18 touchdown passes tied the then school season-record that was set by Joey Lynch in 2005...Hit on 150-of-245 attempts (61.22%) and had just eight interceptions, as 19 of his other pass attempts were deflected by the opposition...Generated 1,927 yards in total offense, an average of 160.58 yards per game...Was sacked thirteen times for losses of 114 yards and turned the ball over once on three fumbles.
2009: Davis suffered a severe bruise to his right throwing hand vs. Tulsa in the GMAC Bowl (1/06), but an MRI revealed no bone fractures.
Agility Tests
Campus: 4.87 in the 40-yard dash...1.72 10-yard dash...2.81 20-yard dash...4.33 20-yard shuttle...7.14 three-cone drill...32 1/2-inch vertical jump...9'5" broad jump...275-pound bench press...430-pound squat...300-pound hang clean...31 7/8-inch arm length...9 3/8-inch hands.
Combine: 4.95 in the 40-yard dash...1.65 10-yard dash...2.90 20-yard dash...Chose not to run the shuttle or three-cone drill...26 1/2-inch vertical jump...8'3" broad jump...Did not participate in 225-pound bench press...32-inch arm length...9 1/2-inch hands.
High School
Attended Bellaire (Oh.) High School, playing football for head coach John Magistro...Lettered three times in football, earning All-State and All-Conference honors as a senior... Helped lead the Big Reds to a 10-0 conference record and a state semifinal appearance, finishing with a 13-1 overall mark, as he completed 125-of-207 passes for 2,932 yards and 42 touchdowns that year...For his prep career, Davis compiled a 21-8 record as a starter, setting the school all-time record with 113 total touchdowns, as he also set school all-time marks with 7,348 yards and 81 touchdowns passing...Became the team's first three-time All-State and All-Conference choice...Also excelled in basketball at Bellaire High, earning four letters...Eclipsed the school's 50-year-old career scoring record, amassing over 1,800 points...As a senior, he helped the hoops team to a 15-0 start.
Personal
Communication Studies major...Brother, Jose, set most of the passing records at Kent State (1997-99), where the quarterback completed 552-of-1,000 passes for 6,722 yards. Jose holds the Mid-American Conference game-record, accounting for eight touchdowns vs. Central Michigan in 1997. He recently played for the Arena Football League's Kansas City Brigade...Son of Charles Davis and Linda Davis...Born Nate Charles Davis on 5/25/87 in Bellaire, Ohio.
Player Statistics
Draft Scout Player News
06/07/10 - QB Nate Davis isn't coming along "as fast as he would like, not as fast as the coaches would like, but he's coming," according to coach Mike Singletary. As the team's third quarterback last year, he spent more time trying to learn the offense than competing for playing time. "I think the biggest thing with Nate is to figure out how he learns and get that burning desire to whatever it takes to be out here and to get it done," said Singletary. "I know he can do it, it's just a matter of him doing it. Time will tell."
04/15/10 - QB Nate Davis' on-field work with the 49ers came to an end once the exhibition season was over. As the team's third quarterback, he rarely got a chance in practice to run any plays at quarterback. But he has been a regular at the 49ers' offseason conditioning program, as he continues to learn the team's offensive system. "I'm trying to learn the playbook. I keep on it every day, getting more in-depth with the playbook. I'll be here, even the off time," Davis said. "There's no doubt I feel more comfortable with the playbook, but I have a ways to work. I'm still pushing myself."
01/14/10 - QB Nate Davis is a project who spent the entire season learning the team's playbook while getting little work during practices as the No. 3 man.
12/31/09 - QB Nate Davis ran the scout team for the first times Wednesday and Thursday as second-string quarterback Shaun Hill was rested with a sore back. Davis, a rookie, has not played a snap in the regular season.
12/09/09 - QB Nate Davis showed some promise in the 49ers' exhibition season. But once the regular season began, the team's third-string quarterback has seen more action in practice as a wide receiver on the scout team. Still, he said he continues to learn the 49ers' offense behind the scenes while rarely throwing a pass in practice. "I go play offense, play receiver, and sometimes I even play defense," said Davis, a fifth-round draft pick from Ball State. "I'll do anything to learn as much about the offense as possible." Davis said he tries to be a sponge during film sessions after practice with veteran quarterbacks Alex Smith and Shaun Hill. "We always sit down and watch film for an hour or two and I just listen to them talk," Davis said. Despite his lack of practice time, Davis said he believes he could do well if called upon in a game. "I can play, no doubt," he said. "But there are some things (play calls) that are wordy for me that I'd ask to have on a wristband."
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PROFILE
