On a cold November morning at St. Thomas, the usual conversations about tests and homework took a back seat. Students crowded around lunch tables in disbelief, replaying the same moment on their computers: Davis Mills sprinting into the end zone to complete the Texans’ improbable 19-point comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
What surprised many wasn’t the comeback, but rather the man who led it.
Mills has spent most of his NFL career outside the spotlight, and that is exactly why his performance caught the attention of students. The excitement in the hallways grew from the idea that anyone could step in and change the game.
“Never in a million years would I have expected Davis Mills to save the Texans’ season, let alone going 3-0 when needed”, said Kyle Economedes ‘27.
Mills’ journey to that moment did not just happen overnight. He was drafted in the third round in the 2021 NFL draft, and his first chance came earlier than expected, starting 13 games his rookie season. Davis went 5-20-1 as a starter, which was abysmal to say the least. This eventually led to C.J. Stroud getting drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Stroud hasn’t skipped a beat since the day he started. Even though he was not the starter, Mills served as the backup for Stroud and still does.
Waiting is one of the hardest parts of being a backup quarterback. Starters get the headlines and the cameras in practice. Backups get the scout-team snaps and the quiet work that prepares everyone else. Mills learned to approach those responsibilities with steady patience, knowing his opportunity could arrive at any moment or not at all.
After Stroud endured a concussion against the Denver Broncos, Mills stepped in, but unfortunately could not deliver, losing the game 15-18. After hearing that Mills would get the start against the Jaguars, students were reluctant to even turn the game on, thinking about how rough times used to be when Mills would start.
But that reluctance went away after Mills delivered one drive at a time. His passes found timing and rhythm. His movement kept plays alive and his calm presence and preparation helped the Texans comeback.
The moment didn’t feel like a surprise to anyone who understood the preparation behind it. It looked like the result of years spent studying film, learning playbooks, and staying ready without knowing when readiness would matter. Davis knew what he was doing when he stepped on that field.
“You learn from the starters… you really get to learn from who’s ahead of you and it gives you great experience. Being prepared by watching film gets me ready for whenever my moment might be”, said Varsity Linebacker Read Belcher ‘27 when asked about his role as a backup.
Those qualities: patience, preparation, and resilience, reach far beyond football. Students at St. Thomas experienced those same expectations in different forms. Junior varsity athletes put in hours of practice knowing varsity opportunities may be limited.
The connection between those experiences and Mills’ performance is what students kept talking about. His moment, going 3-0 as a starter and saving the Texan’s playoff chances, became an example of someone stepping forward when needed because of preparation.
The comeback changed the momentum of the Texans, and after that win, Mills hasn’t lost since. For St. Thomas Students, it offered a relatable picture of what readiness looks like. Leadership can sometimes emerge from the person who has been doing the work no one sees.
“I remember watching Mills in 2022 when he was a starter, and the difference from then and now is huge. He is so calm, cool, and collected when he plays, and I think that’s why he keeps winning”, said Alex Granger ‘27.
The Texan’s win highlighted how vital the backup quarterback role truly is. It requires patience, discipline, and humility. These are traits that define more than a position on a depth chart. Mills showed how those traits can transform a game.
His path from uncertain draft pick to the center of one of the season’s most dramatic finishes carries a message that fits any classroom, stage, or field at St. Thomas. The moment that changes everything may not go to the person everyone watches. It may go to the person who has been preparing for it all along.
