Davis started the season 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.
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.[1]
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.[2] 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. In 2021, Davis was inducted in the Ball State Cardinals Hall of Fame.[3]
On January 13, 2009, Davis announced that he would forgo a senior season to enter the NFL draft.[4][5]
Davis was selected in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.[7] On August 22, 2009, Davis made his professional debut in a pre-season game against the Oakland Raiders at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Coming into the game in the third quarter, Davis led the offense to three scores in the fourth quarter, including a two-point conversion, to win the game. In the following pre-season game against the Dallas Cowboys, Davis completed 10 of 15 passes for 132 yards and led two scoring drives in the final quarter of a 20-13 victory.
On September 6, 2010, Davis was cut by the San Francisco 49ers before being signed to their practice squad on September 8 of that year.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks signed Davis to a reserve/future contract on January 11, 2011, only to cut him on March 3.
Indianapolis Colts
On July 26, it was reported that he had agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts waived Davis on August 15, 2011.[8]
On April 17, 2012, he was assigned to the Orlando Predators of the AFL. He was placed on reassignment on April 25, 2012, but was later assigned to the team again. He was reassigned for the second time on May 15, 2012.[11]
On April 18, 2023, Davis was traded from Duke City to the San Diego Strike Force in exchange for quarterbacks Demry Croft and Aaron Aiken and Offensive Lineman Jeremiah Caine.[17]
Davis' brother Jose was a professional quarterback in the Arena Football League. Jose attended Kent State from 1997–99 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,[23] 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).
