NFL Draft Prospect Profile: QB Austin Davis, Southern Mississippi

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Southern Mississippi QB Austin Davis
Southern Mississippi QB Austin Davis

Green Bay Packers draft prospect profile: QB Austin Davis

Player Information:

Austin Davis, QB Southern Mississippi
6’2”, 221 lbs
Hometown:  Meridian, MS

NFL Combine:

Vertical Jump: 31
Broad Jump: 9’1”
20-yard shuttle:  4.11
3-cone drill:  6.73

News and Notes:

Owns school record for most career touchdown passes, surpassing Brett Favre. Broke Favre’s single season touchdown pass record for a freshman with 23 in 2008. Named All Conference USA freshman.  Led Southern Miss to a 12-2 record and a win over the Nevada Wolfpack in the 2011 Hawaii Bowl.

What they’re saying about him:

Dane Brugler (CBSSports.com): “A dual threat quarterback with athletic footwork and mobility. An instinctive runner with very good toughness  uses stiff arms and runs with good body strength. Has quick, smooth delivery with very good touch and anticipation as a passer. Has natural leadership traits and plays with his heart, willing his team to victory. A smart and confident individual on and off the field. Plays like a veteran and executes and sells fakes well, doesn’t force a lot and isn’t afraid to throw it away.

Shorter than ideal and isn’t physically imposing in any way. Limited arm strength with an unorthodox throwing motion; doesn’t effectively use his body or footwork (almost like he’s throwing darts). Inconsistent downfield passer and puts too much air under his throws too many underthrows and streaky ball placement”

ProFootballWeekly.com: “A savvy, poised, quick-triggered, short-to-intermediate rhythm passer who maximized his talent in four years as a starter.”

National Football Post:  “Exhibits some savvy to his game; he sells the play fake hard and can create with his legs when plays breakdown. He displays nice touch between the numbers, exhibits good timing in the pass game and will throw receivers open allowing them to run after the catch. Between the numbers he’s very effective and has “plus” accuracy and ball placement.

However, his arm is limited, he gets lost once the pocket starts to close in on him and isn’t real impressive spinning the football down the field. He gets upright in the pocket in order to see over the line of scrimmage, doesn’t generate much torque from his lower half and has a tough time making throws outside the numbers on a line and/or down the field. He’s not real impressive generating torque on the move as well and balls too often tail on him when trying to create outside the pocket.”

Video:
 

Video Analysis:

  • Seems to lock onto one target, needs to go through a progression
  • Good running QB, evades pressure well and can make plays outside the pocket with his legs.
  • Looks like he plays behind a horrible offensive line.  Balls tipped, constantly under pressure
  • Decent on intermediate throws, needs work on his deep ball.
  • Accurate arm, doesn’t force passes.
  • Could he suffer from Tebowitis? Used to playing in shotgun, but how good will be taking snaps under center?
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Kris Burke is a sports writer covering the Green Bay Packers for AllGreenBayPackers.com and WTMJ in Milwaukee. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) and his work has been linked to by sites such as National Football Post and CBSSports.com.

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5 thoughts on “NFL Draft Prospect Profile: QB Austin Davis, Southern Mississippi

  1. UDFA only.

    “Shorter than ideal and isn’t physically imposing in any way. Limited arm strength with an unorthodox throwing motion; doesn’t effectively use his body or footwork (almost like he’s throwing darts). Inconsistent downfield passer and puts too much air under his throws too many underthrows and streaky ball placement”

    6’2” short? Isn’t AR short?

    Limited arm strength? Throwing Darts? Inconsistent down field? Underthrows? A disaster waiting to happen.

    Wouldn’t waste any of the 7th’s on this guy.

  2. If I were to take a shorter QB, I would prefer G.J. Kinne (6011) to Davis (6015). The QB’s I like in the draft are Ryan Lindley (4th round) or B.J. Coleman (5th). It appears TT/MM like their QB’s to be in the 6-2 to 6-3 range and have at least size 10 hands, which both have.

      1. Al, the reason I also like Lindley is his shortcomings appear to be issues MM and McAdoo can address in QB school, your thoughts?

  3. AD has IT! Watched him through High School, he was for the most part “the team.” Played QB, Saftey, and kicker on most successful team in school history. Even better Baseball player, state champs twice, senior team ended up ranked #2 in nation. Walked on at SoMiss hardly recruited by any school and started as a RS Freshman. He broke every Favre record at SoMiss. AD is one of the best people you could ever meet with an unbelievable work ethic. He will be a winner at any level. I hope the Pack takes good look at him, he will be a steal for someone in the lower rounds.

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