DETROIT – Former Ball State quarterback Nate Davis will sign a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts to backup Peyton Manning. The news was first reported by The Star Press.
Davis was named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 after leading Ball State to the MAC West Division title and a 12-0 start. He declared for the NFL draft a year early and was picked in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers, where he struggled to adjust to professional football.
Davis has not played in a regular season game in the NFL, and spent much of last season on the 49ers practice squad before being signed by the Seattle Seahawks in January. Davis was cut by the Seahawks in March.
At MAC Media Day, safety Sean Baker and wide receiver Briggs Orsbon, who both played with Davis in 2008, said they had heard the news Tuesday morning. Baker said it would be "awesome" to have a former teammate playing in the NFL so close to Muncie.
"I hope he takes advantage of the opportunity," Baker said. "I wish him the best of luck."