University of Memphis quarterback Brady Davis said the most important thing he learned from former Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch was to remain levelheaded.
“That’s huge in this game, because there are thousands of people watching you and so many things coming your way,” Davis said.
Davis, a redshirt freshman, is competing with redshirt senior Jason Stewart and transfer Riley Ferguson for the Memphis quarterback job. In addition, to the chance to follow Lynch, who’s since departed for the NFL Draft. The competition began Tuesday at the first Tiger football spring practice and Norvell said he is not expecting to name a starter until fall, unless someone wins the job outright in the next month.
Because him and the other quarterbacks are friends, Davis said the competition is better and they enjoy working together.
“That competition amongst some friends makes it all the better and makes us better everyday,” he said.
In his senior season at Starkville High School in Starkville, Mississippi, Davis threw for 3,417 yards and 42 touchdowns. A three-star recruit on 247 Sports Composite Rankings, he picked the Blue and Gray as his next school last spring.
After redshirting his freshman year at the U of M, Davis finds himself with a new coach in Mike Norvell. Former coach Justin Fuente, who recruited Davis, accepted the head coaching position at Virginia Tech in December, Fuente led the Tigers to 19 wins over the last two seasons.
Though it’s been just a few months, Norvell said Davis is “a talented young man” and has been impressed with the way he’s retained information.
However, Norvell said one of the key attributes he is looking for in a starting quarterback is how he responds to adversity.
“That’s what establishes a great quarterback,” said Norvell, who was hired as coach in December. “Anyone can go out there and start a game 10 for 10 but if play 11 is an interception, the key is the next one. The great ones can respond and lead their team to victory after facing adversity.”
Davis said it’s been key for him to not change anything and to just be the best player he can be for the Tigers.
“I just (want to) push everyone else around me and try to become a better player everyday,” Davis said.
Rising senior running back Sam Craft said, after the first spring practice Tuesday, Davis is starting to move through his progressions better.
“Last year, he struggled with some of the plays and making the right reads, making the right passes, but I think he's going to do well this year, just because he's a little bit older,” Craft said. “He's been around a Division I program. I think it's going to help him a lot."
Though the early reviews are promising, Davis said he knows he’ll have to continue to put the extra work in because everybody at Memphis is an elite football player.
“Whether it’s an hour after practice and getting some film work in, maybe a little more lifting in,” Davis said. “The extra preparation sets you apart from all the players, because everyone is good on the field.”
University of Memphis quarterback Brady Davis throws the ball during spring practice Thursday. Davis redshirted his freshman season last year.
