Nate Davis (quarterback)

Nate Davis
Davis with the San Francisco 49ers in 2009
No. 8 – San Diego Strike Force
PositionQuarterback
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (1987-05-25) May 25, 1987
Bellaire, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight226 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High schoolBellaire
CollegeBall State (2006–2008)
NFL draft2009: 5th round, 171st overall pick
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Career AFL statistics
TD–INT9–5
Passing yards544
Passer rating68.01
Stats at ArenaFan.com
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nate Charles Davis (born May 25, 1987) is an American professional football quarterback for the San Diego Strike Force of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football for the Ball State Cardinals. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft.

Early life

Nate Charles Davis was born on May 25, 1987, in Bellaire, Ohio.[1] He attended Bellaire High School.[1]

College career

2006 season

Davis started the season at Ball State University as a backup to senior quarterback Joey Lynch. In week 1, Davis made his Cardinals debut against Eastern Michigan where he completed 7–8 attempts for 108 yards and three touchdowns. After starting the season 1–3 with a loss to FCS opponent North Dakota State, the Cardinals turned to Davis in Week 5 to start. In his first career start against Northern Illinois he threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns on 27–38 attempts. The following week, Davis was 11–14 for 247 yards and three touchdowns against Buffalo in their first win since the season opener. On the season, Davis appeared in all 12 games, starting seven and threw for 18 touchdowns and 1,975 yards.

2007 season

In 2007, Davis set the Ball State single-season record with 3,667 passing yards, on 270–478 attempts. He also set a single-season record 30 touchdown passes. In week 4, Davis threw for a career-high 422 yards against number 24 ranked Nebraska. He was named Second Team All-MAC.[2]

2008 season

In 2008, Davis led the Cardinals to 12 straight victories to start the season. Heading into the 2008 MAC Championship Game, the Cardinals were ranked 12th in the country, their highest-ever national ranking. The Cardinals fell to Buffalo in the championship game following five turnovers involving Davis. Davis was named 2008 MAC Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-MAC.[3] Davis set Ball State career records for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions and total offense. He was the first Cardinal to throw for over 3,000 yards in consecutive seasons. On January 13, 2009, Davis announced that he would forgo a senior season to enter the NFL draft.[4][5]

In 2021, Davis was inducted in the Ball State Cardinals Hall of Fame.[6]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 1+3⁄8 in
(1.86 m)		226 lb
(103 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		5.01 s1.83 s2.94 s26.5 in
(0.67 m)		8 ft 3 in
(2.51 m)
All values from NFL Combine[7]

San Francisco 49ers

Davis was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fifth round (171st overall) of the 2009 NFL draft.[8] On July 24, 2009, he signed a four-year contract with the team.[9] On August 22, Davis made his professional debut in a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Entering the game in the third quarter, he led the offense to three fourth-quarter scores, including a two-point conversion, to secure a 21–20 victory. In the following preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys, Davis completed 10 of 15 passes for 132 yards and led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter of a 20–13 victory. He spent the entire 2009 season inactive as the 49ers' third-string quarterback behind Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.

During the 2010 preseason, Davis drew attention after completing a 60-yard pass to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr., with the throw estimated to have traveled more than 65 yards in the air. NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth compared Davis' arm strength to that of John Elway.[10] Following the team's final preseason game, Davis was waived by the 49ers on September 6, 2010.[11] He re-signed with the team's practice squad two days later, where he spent the remainder of the season.

Seattle Seahawks

Davis signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad on January 11, 2011, but was released on March 3.[12][13]

Indianapolis Colts

On July 26, 2011, Davis signed a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.[14] He appeared in the Colts' first preseason game, completing three of seven passes for 36 yards against the St. Louis Rams.[15] Davis was waived by the Colts on August 15, prior to their second preseason game.[16]

Kansas City Command

Davis signed with the Kansas City Command of the Arena Football League (AFL) on September 26, 2011.[17] He won the starting quarterback job entering the 2012 season.[18] He made his AFL debut against the Jacksonville Sharks, completing 11 of 19 passes for 177 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception in a 52–28 loss. The following week against the Cleveland Gladiators, he completed 17 of 42 passes for 194 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions in another loss. In his third game against the Arizona Rattlers, he completed 14 of 29 passes for 173 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding two rushing touchdowns before being replaced by Steven Gachette in the loss. Following the game, the Command acquired Matt Gutierrez and Zack Eskridge, and Davis was subsequently released.[19]

Orlando Predators

On April 17, 2012, Davis was assigned to the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League (AFL).[20] Davis served as the backup quarterback to Justin Roper in the Predators' Week 7 matchup against the Georgia Force and did not play. Following the victory, the Predators added Chris Leak to the roster, and Davis was placed on reassignment on April 25.[21][22]

Amarillo Venom (first stint)

On May 10, 2012, Davis signed with the Amarillo Venom of the Lone Star Football League (LSFL).[23] On July 5, Davis was named LSFL Offensive Player of the Week after completing 27 of 48 passes for 411 yards and eight touchdowns in a victory over the Abilene Ruff Riders.[24] He led the Venom to six wins in their final eight games of the season and helped the team capture the LSFL championship with a 62–40 victory over the Rio Grande Valley Magic.[25] For his performance, Davis was named to the All-LSFL First Team.[26] On February 7, 2013, it was announced that Davis re-signed with the Venom for the 2013 season.[27] After the first two games of the 2013 season, Davis left the Venom after reportedly receiving an opportunity to return to the Arena Football League.[28]

San Antonio Talons

On April 9, 2013, Davis was assigned to the San Antonio Talons of the Arena Football League (AFL) after starting quarterback John Dutton suffered a season-ending torn achilles injury and backup quarterback Rohan Davey was sidelined with a foot injury.[29] The following day, the Talons signed Nick Hill, who ultimately started the team's Week 4 game against the Tampa Bay Storm.[30] Davis was placed on the suspended list on April 15 and later returned to Amarillo prior to San Antonio's next game against the Arizona Rattlers.[31][32]

Amarillo Venom (second stint)

Amid the quarterback changes in San Antonio, Davis returned to the Amarillo Venom following his brief stint with the San Antonio Talons after Hill was named the Talons' starting quarterback. He watched from the stands during Amarillo's next game against the Laredo Rattlesnakes while serving a one-game suspension stemming from a penalty committed in the team's April 6 game against the Abilene Bombers.[33] In his first game back with the Venom against Abilene, Davis threw for 196 yards and six touchdowns in a 63–41 victory that began a seven-game winning streak.[34] Following the regular season, Davis shared LSFL Co-Offensive MVP honors with New Mexico Stars quarterback Kasey Peters.[35][36] Davis later led Amarillo to a victory over Laredo in the championship game, engineering the game-winning drive in the final minute. For his performance, he was named the championship game's Most Valuable Player.[37]

Rio Grande Valley Sol

Davis signed with the Rio Grande Valley Sol of the Lone Star Football League (LSFL) for the 2014 season.[38] He made his Sol debut in the season opener, completing 13 of 25 passes for 263 yards and eight touchdowns in a 79–46 victory over the San Angelo Bandits.[39] During the season, Davis helped lead the Sol to an 8–4 regular season record, including eight games in which the team scored at least 60 points and a season-high 92 points against San Angelo.[40]

Amarillo Venom (third stint)

On November 20, 2014, Davis signed with the Amarillo Venom, who had moved to Champions Indoor Football (CIF).[41] In the Venom's CIF debut against the Dodge City Law, Davis completed 18 of 28 passes for 230 yards and six touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns in a 68–63 victory. For his performance, he was named CIF Offensive Player of the Week. In the postseason, Davis and the Venom were defeated by the Sioux City Bandits 83–52, finishing the season with a 7–6 record. Davis completed 17 of 39 passes for 164 yards and five touchdowns, but also threw three interceptions in the loss.[42] Davis returned as the Venom's starting quarterback for the 2016 season.[43] He led the team to the Champions Bowl II, where they lost 48–45 to the Wichita Force. In the championship game, Davis completed 20 of 34 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns while adding a rushing touchdown.[44] In 2017, Davis led the Amarillo Venom to a 9–3 record and the best record in the CIF South Conference. For his performance, he was named to the All-CIF South Conference First Team.[45] Davis and the Venom advanced to the South Conference Championship, where they were defeated by the Texas Revolution, finishing the season with a 10–4 record. Davis finished the season with 2,980 passing yards, 62 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. In Davis' sixth season as the Venom's quarterback, he led the team to an 8–4 record and another appearance in the South Conference Championship, where they again fell to the Texas Revolution. Following the season, Davis was named to the All-CIF First Team.[46] In his final season with the Venom, Davis led Amarillo to an 8–5 record while leading the league with 71 touchdown passes and 3,271 passing yards, completing 293 of 458 attempts with 13 interceptions. For his performance, he was named CIF Offensive Player of the Year and CIF Most Valuable Player.[47][48]

Duke City Gladiators

Davis signed with the Duke City Gladiators of the Indoor Football League (IFL) for the 2020 season.[49] However, the team's season was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[49] He played for the Gladiators from 2021 to 2023.[50] Davis was named the 2021 IFL Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for a league-record 79 touchdowns.[51]

San Diego Strike Force

On April 18, 2023, Davis was traded from Duke City to the San Diego Strike Force in exchange for quarterbacks Demry Croft, Aaron Aiken, and offensive lineman Jeremiah Caine.[52]

Career statistics

AFL

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsY/ATD
2012KC 330–3429046.65446.09568.09141.52
ORL 00—DNP
2013SA 00—DNP
Career330–3429046.65446.09568.09141.42

LSFL/CIF/IFL

Completed through 2025 season

Year Team League GP Passing Rushing
CmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2012AmarilloLSFL 1021238155.62,9677.76517101.831470.65
2013Amarillo[a] 1018833256.62,1816.5548106.1302076.910
2014Rio Grande[b] 915928256.32,2527.95010107.1411373.315
2015AmarilloCIF 1320938654.12,3756.15515145.1622474.09
2016Amarillo 1522545755.83,1386.86010152.4772863.723
2017Amarillo 1428246460.82,9806.46213153.2812483.122
2018Amarillo 1220337354.42,4876.65610154.671151.313
2019Amarillo 1229345864.03,2717.17313171.6591101.911
2020Duke CityIFL 0Season cancelled (COVID-19 pandemic)
2021Duke City 1423236264.02,9018.07910197.9331915.87
2022Duke City 1102147.61798.521141.13144.70
2023Duke City 46710563.87126.7195171.0400.00
San Diego 1016928858.72,1207.3488170.05255.02
2024San Diego 1525942661.02,7516.56617158.226481.82
2025San Diego 1523737762.92,6807.1497161.827301.15
Career157 2,7874,80258.033,5386.9747149105.35591,6192.9126
  1. ↑ 12 of 13 games were recorded for the 2013 season. Davis was not with the team 4/13 and 4/20. No statistics were recorded on 5/11
  2. ↑ 9 of 12 games were recorded for the 2014 season. No statistics were recorded on 4/12, 5/17, 6/21

Sources: [53][54][55][56][57]

College

Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GPGSRecordCmpAttPctYdsY/ATDIntRtgAttYdsAvgTD
2006Ball State 1273–415024561.21,9758.1188146.729−48−1.70
2007Ball State 13137–627047856.53,6677.7306139.1782353.05
2008Ball State 141412–225840164.33,5919.0268157.0663124.75
Career 393422–126781,12460.39,2338.27422147.11734992.910

Personal life

Davis' brother Jose was a professional quarterback in the Arena Football League. Jose attended Kent State from 1997 to 1999 and holds the Mid-American Conference single-game record accounting for eight total touchdowns against Central Michigan. In 2009, Jose was named head football coach at Bellaire High School,[58] where the brothers both played.

Nate was a four-year letter winner in basketball at Bellaire. He broke the school's record for most points and rebounds in a career amassing over 2,500 points and 1,100+ boards. He also holds the school's record for most touchdown passes (83) and most passing yards (7,348).

Davis has dyslexia.[59]

References

  1. 1 2 "Nate Davis". Ball State University. Retrieved March 27, 2026.
  2. ↑ "MAC Announces 2007 Football Awards". Mid-American Conference. November 27, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  3. ↑ "MAC Announces Football Post Season Awards". Mid-American Conference. December 3, 2008. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  4. ↑ Mike Anthony, Nate Davis to Enter NFL Draft, WBOY-TV, January 13, 2009. Retrieved on 2009-01-13.
  5. ↑ Matt Hinton, Can Nate Davis Reconsider this Whole Draft Thing?, Rivals.com at Yahoo!, March 23, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Hall of Fame – Nate Davis". ballstatesports.com. Ball State. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ "2009 NFL Draft Scout Nate Davis College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ "2009 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  9. ↑ "49ers Sign QB Davis to 4-Year Deal". 49ers.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  10. ↑ "The Curious Case of Nate Davis: Will 49ers QB Ever Make It in the NFL?". bleacherreporrt.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  11. ↑ "49ers waive Nate Davis, sign Troy Smith". The Mercury News. September 6, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Transactions". NFL.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Seahawks release QB Davis, TE Baker". Sportsnet. March 4, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Nate Davis Signs Two-Year Deal With Colts, According To Report". sbnation.com. July 26, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Arizona Cardinals vs. Atlanta Falcons Box Score". The Football Database. August 13, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  16. ↑ "QB Nate Davis Released By Indianapolis Colts". sbnation.com. August 15, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Command begins Arena Football League season with new QB". The Kansas City Star. March 16, 2012. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Bellaire's Davis released by AFL squad". timesleaderonline.com. April 7, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Orlando Predators Sign QB Nate Davis". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  22. ↑ "Predators Add Former Florida QB Chris Leak to Roster". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Venom sign former NFL QB Nate Davis", Amarillo Globe-News, May 10, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Amarillo Venom Players of the Week". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Venom 2012 LSFL Champions". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Amarillo Venom Named Players of the Year". amarillo.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Davis to return as Venom QB". amarillo.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  28. ↑ "AFL team signs Amarillo Venom QB Davis". amarillo.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  29. ↑ "San Antonio Talons Sign QB Nate Davis". OurSports Central. April 9, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  30. ↑ Mayer, Jacob (April 17, 2013). "About Face: QB Davis Returns to Venom". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Historical Team Transactions". arenafan.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  32. ↑ Oliver, Richard (April 19, 2013). "Talons Carry Only One QB to Face Champs". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  33. ↑ Mayer, Jacob. "Venom QB Davis glad to be back". Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Venom Beat Abilene 63-41 in Davis' Return". Amarillo Globe-News. May 4, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Stars get new owners; two players vie for AFL jobs". Albuquerque Journal. August 25, 2013. Archived from the original on April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Davis, Venom strike late for 2nd LSFL title". Martins Ferry Times Leader. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on September 29, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  37. ↑ Lahnert, Lance (July 14, 2013). "QB Nate Davis leads Venom to a another crown". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  38. ↑ Mayer, Jacob (March 29, 2014). "Venom beat Rio Grande Valley, former teammates, 33–29". amarillo.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Amarillo Venom to get championship rings, face ex-teammates in home opener". amarillo.com. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Schedule For Rio Grande Valley SOL". Lone Star Football League. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  41. ↑ Kale Steed. "Venom sign Davis to play quarterback". www.amarillo.com. Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  42. ↑ Staff. "Sioux City routs Amarillo". www.amarillo.com. Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Revolution Holds off Venom Rally, 65-53". OurSports Central. March 14, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  44. ↑ Tyler Anderson. "Venom drop heartbreaker to Wichita in Champions Bowl, 48-45". www.amarillo.com. Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  45. ↑ CIF. "The CIF is proud to announce the 1st and 2nd team all-conference teams". gocif.net. CIF. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  46. ↑ CIF. "CIF announces CIF all-league team for 2018 season". gocif.net. CIF. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  47. ↑ "Nate Daves Awarded IFL Offensive Player of the Year". oursportscentral.com. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  48. ↑ CIF. "2019 CIF league awards announced". gocif.net. CIF. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  49. 1 2 Tate, Van (April 12, 2020). "Nate Davis waits for Duke City Gladiators debut". KRQE. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Nate Davis – 2022 – Football".
  51. ↑ "NATE DAVIS AWARDED IFL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Indoor Football League. September 12, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  52. ↑ "STRIKE FORCE PREPARE FOR THE GLADIATORS". goifl.com. May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  53. ↑ "2024 Roster". sdstrikeforce.com. SDStrikeforce. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  54. ↑ "CIF Individual Season Records" (PDF). qkstats.net. Qkstats. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  55. ↑ "Nate Davis QB". arenafan.com. Arenafan. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  56. ↑ "Nate Davis #8 QB Amarillo Venom". prestosports.com. CIF. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  57. ↑ "History of Lone Star Football League". indoorfootballencyclopedia.com. IFE. Retrieved July 12, 2024.
  58. ↑ Seth Staskey, "Bellaire Names Jose Davis as Coach" Archived 2011-07-16 at the Wayback Machine, The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register, April 7, 2009.
  59. ↑ "Davis to be 49ers' third-string QB after surviving final cuts Published: Sep 03, 2010 at". NFL.com. September 3, 2010. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
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