Austin Davis 6'1.5" 219
QB, Southern Mississippi
Rankings: 13th-ranked quarterback by Pro Football Weekly. Graded as a player with a better-than-average chance to make an NFL roster.
NFLDraftScout: 13th-ranked QB, #262 player overall, 7th-round/free-agent grade.
Biography/honors:
2011: School's all-time passing leader, breaking Brett Favre's career records for passing yards, TD passes and completion %. Broke his own single-season passing yards record. Won Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to best player in nation who started out as a walk-on. Team captain. 286 for 475 (60.2%), 3,496 yards, 30 TD, 11 INT. 110 carries for 352 yards (3.2 ypc) and 4 TD.
2010: Started all 13 games. 278 for 442 (62.9%), 3,103 yards, 20 TD, 6 INT. 145 carries for 452 yards and 10 TD.
2009: Limited to 5 starts due to injury. 108 for 156 (69.2%), 1,165 yards, 10 TD, 2 INT. 50 carries for 63 yards (1.2 ypc) and 2 TD. Also caught a TD pass.
2008: Conference USA all-freshman first team. Started all 13 games. 261 for 464 (57.5%), 3,128 yards, 23 TD, 8 INT. 155 carries for 508 yards (3.3 ypc) and 9 TDs. Set school record for single-season passing yards and most TD passes by a freshman, breaking Favre's record. New Orleans Bowl MVP.
2007: Redshirted.
Major: business. Completed his degree prior to 2011 season and has started on his MBA.
Injuries:
2009: missed eight of thirteen games due to a Lisfranc fracture in his left foot.
NFL Combine stats: (position averages in parentheses)
4.76 40 (4.77)
1.71 10-yard split (1.65)
31” vertical jump (33”)
9'1” broad jump (9'3”)
6.73 3-cone drill (7.04 – Davis was fastest QB to run this drill)*
4.11 20-yard shuttle (4.30 - 3rd-fastest)*
DNP bench press
* Robert Griffin III did not run.
Positives: Four-year starter. Dual-threat QB with excellent mobility. Tough, strong runner with a good stiffarm. Moves well in the pocket. Quick, smooth delivery, throws with good touch and accuracy. Accurate throwing short passes. Sells fakes well. Doesn't force passes and isn't afraid to throw the ball away. Reads field and progresses through his options well. Smart, confident, born leader, tough competitor, plays with heart.
Negatives: Short. Throwing motion more suited for darts. Doesn't seem to get much of his body into his throws. Inconsistent on downfield throws, gets too much air under some, underthrows others. Stares down his receiver. Has not taken many snaps from under center. Didn't have to make many defensive reads. Needs to improve footwork. Average-at-best arm strength. Needs to be more secure with the ball when running.
Compares to: Thaddeus Lewis. Similar size, mobility, arm, and college pedigree.
Fun Facts: Austin isn't the only pro athlete in his family; his cousin Jason was a utility player for eight different MLB teams. Austin himself was a former all-state baseball player in high school. His brother Bo was a third-team All-America outfielder in 2009, also the first time Southern Miss made the College World Series.
RamView: RamView liked Austin Davis' pro prospects throughout the draft process. He threw well at the Combine. He was very accurate on shorter routes while showing plenty of arm for deep corner and sideline routes. He doesn't have a cannon but has been a very confident player who can make things happen with his arm or his feet. Rams fans distressed that the team gave Thaddeus Lewis away last season should be happy with Davis as a replacement. Recent seasons tell us the Rams need to keep 4 QBs - Davis should stick here as at least the practice squad QB. He could beat out Tom Brandstater if he shines in training camp with short-pass accuracy and his extra mobility dimension that none of the other Ram QBs really have.
Chance of making roster: 50%.
Sources: Pro Football Weekly 2012 Draft Guide, CBS Sports, Wikipedia, Southern Mississippi athletics website
Photo: Pro Football Weekly
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