Rams Player Profile: Austin Davis, Quarterback

Austin Davis, the likely back up of newly acquired Nick Foles, has walked a very unique path through out his career. His time began as a walk on at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2007. He would red-shirt his first year and become the starter in year two. As a freshman Davis would throw for 200 yards or more nine times, a school record. He would total 3,128 passing yards on the year, also a school record. Add on 23 touchdown passes and, you guessed it, he would break another school record. This one was a little more notable as it previously was held by Brett Favre. Davis would go on to have a very solid college career. He even faced off with teammate Case Keenum, when Keenum played for Houston, in what would be Davis’ finest moment, a victory in the C-USA Championship.

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When it was all said and done, Davis had thrown for almost 11,000 yards, 83 touchdowns, only 27 interceptions and added an additional 25 touchdowns rushing the football. Many analysts considered Davis to be a sleeper pick in the late rounds. However, Davis would go un-drafted in 2012 and signed as an un-drafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams. Continuing his down hill slide after college, the Rams cut Davis the following year. He would find himself on the practice squad in Miami for the start of the 2013 season. He was unable to crack the 53 man roster with the Dolphins.

The Rams would swoop in once again in October of 2013 and sign Davis from the practice squad in Miami. Davis would make his debut for St. Louis in week one in relief of Shaun Hill. The following week Davis would make his first NFL career start in place of the injured Hill. He would lead the Rams to victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Once again the Davis train derailed and he would be benched later in the year against Arizona in favor of Hill.

Davis played in ten games for the Rams in 2014. He tallied up just over 2,000 yards passing with a completion percentage of almost 64%. His touchdown total reached 12, and he kept his interceptions to just nine. Fumbles would prove to be an issue for Davis committing four in those ten games. Davis has proved himself as a suitable backup, but his starting potential in this league is very limited. Expect Keenum and Davis to duke it out for the primary back up role, and don’t be surprised if Sean Mannion gives them both a run for their money.