Senior Bowl Spotlight – David Fales, QB San Jose State – 2014 NFL Draft
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

David Fales, QB San Jose State

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 220 Pounds
Projected 40-Time: 4.8 (estimate)
NFL Comparison: Blaine Gabbert, Nick Foles

Player Notes:
If statistics alone told the story, David Fales would be set with 64%-72% completion, 9 YPA, and a 3:1 TD/INT Ratio over his career at SJSU. He holds 25 San Jose State football records, and owns two Mountain West Conference passing records. Fales is the first San José State quarterback to lead the program to an 11-win season. He’s the only SJSU quarterback with two seasons passing for at least 4,000 yards. He and Fresno State’s Derek Carr are the only two Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) quarterbacks to pass for 4,000 or more yards in 2012 and 2013. Fales Ranks among the FBS active career leaders in completion percentage, passing yards per game and total offense per game.

Scouting Notes:

Thanks to our friends at Draft Breakdown, the following game films can be watched here.

BYU 2012
Like the throw down the seam at 6:30 mark – overall this video decent not a lot stand outs – arm strength looks sufficient- in some ways reminds me of Carr or at least doesn’t immediately stand out as better or worse – a lot of shotgun – a few snaps from center – makes some decent decisions

Stanford 2012
Has some escapability – throw on roll out – Fales is good down the seam – two throws in a row at 6:55 the second for a nice TD – makes solid throw under pressure but doesn’t step in to it – 9:24 another nice one in traffic over middle w/ game on the line end of 4th qtr

Colorado St 2012
Nothing overly impressive or horrible – shows nice touch at 6:45 on back shoulder throw to front pylon for TD

Fresno St 2013
Overall looks above average – decent mix of everything – doesn’t jump off screen

Colorado St 2013
Early int – could be miscomm w/ WR – shows escapability later – mobility on design run – tons of short passes bubble screens- throws short on designed rollouts – could really see Fales in a Chip Kelly / Eagles offense

Minnesota 2013
4:45 really nice throw down the hash well placed ball just for WR w/ multiple defenders in the area for a TD

Pre-Senior Bowl Draft Projection
Contrary to some of his statistics, Fales did show some improvement from 2012 to 2013. While he’s not a stand out prospect, his physical skills are sufficient. The big test will be his mental capacity and leadership ability. If the intangibles check out, he’s an intriguing prospect. We are curious to see him side by side with Derek Carr. Right now, we don’t see a whole lot of difference between the two- and might even give a slight edge to Fales. He gets a Round 4 Pre-Senior Bowl Draft Grade.