Cardinal Coach's Corner: Davis Mills
Ever since his strong performance in front of the Stanford coaches last summer, Davis Mills has been a priority target for the 2017 class. After emerging as one of the top QB’s in the class, Mills decided to commit to Stanford following his third visit to Palo Alto.
To get the lowdown on what the Cardinal is getting in Mills, we caught up with Tim Hardy, head coach at Greater Atlanta Christian, for the latest edition of Cardinal Coach’s Corner.
Cardinal Sports Report: Davis committed to Stanford after taking three visits to Palo Alto over the past year. What was it about Stanford that really drew Davis and his family to going across the country for his college experience?
Tim Hardy: Davis and his family were drawn to the excellence that permeates everything Stanford does. From the quality of the people to the leadership of the program to the amazing opportunities throughout the University, Stanford separated itself from other institutions.
CSR: Stanford is well known for being very meticulous in their QB recruiting. As numerous schools recruited Davis over the past year, what was unique about the way that Stanford approached its recruiting of Davis?
Hardy: Stanford has been very purposeful throughout the recruiting process. Their approach is to clearly communicate the strengths of the program and university. However, like any great organization, they make it clear that they want young men who desire the uniqueness of their environment. It is less of a sales job and more of an educational process to see if the program is the right fit for the prospect. This approach helped Davis grow in his appreciation of every aspect of the school.
CSR: Stanford has a really unique admissions process and requirements. Academically, how has Davis started to prepare for the Stanford admissions process?
Hardy: Davis has worked hard to build a strong academic resume through his coursework and testing. He will eagerly follow the direction of the coaching staff in making the most of the admissions process.
CSR: Leadership is such an important trait for a QB. How would you describe Davis' leadership traits on the field and in the locker room?
Hardy: Davis is a relational leader. He does an outstanding job of individually connecting with teammates throughout practices. He is constantly complimenting and encouraging his teammates as they work toward optimal execution. He is also a very even-keeled player who is calm in every situation. His poise plays a major role in his leadership during stressful times.
CSR: Physically, it seems like Davis can do anything you'd ask of a QB. What are some of his traits that really stick out and have made him such a highly recruited QB?
Hardy: Physically, Davis has an outstanding blend of size, athleticism, and consistent mechanics. He has a tremendous feel for the game as reflected in his pocket presence and anticipatory throws. He has the arm strength to throw the deep comeback from the opposite hash, but also the touch to feather a ball in over a linebacker. He truly is a complete player.
CSR: With a full summer and his senior season before heading out to Palo Alto, what are the main areas you and your staff will be working with Davis on to improve?
Hardy: Between his sophomore and junior seasons, Davis made great strides in his escapability and effectiveness as a runner. As he steps into his senior year, we want to see Davis continue to grow in his explosiveness as a runner and improve his consistency on deep balls. Once again, we will be counting on him to work to develop the next group of receivers so we can be successful in the passing game.