Luke Falk

... A three-year starter at Washington State, Falk was an ideal fit for Mike Leach’s spread offensive system due to quick passes and pre-determined reads, which translated into impressive production. He showed outstanding chemistry with his targets, getting the ball to them in space to make something happen, but he requires a clean pocket and struggles when the first read is taken away. Falk loves to spread the wealth and he entered his senior season with top-100 grades from some scouts around the league, but his 2017 campaign didn’t go as planned. His smarts and career resume will command the attention of teams, but it is tough seeing him drafted before the draft’s final day. BACKGROUND A two-star quarterback recruit out of high school, Luke Falk had a hectic high school athletic career, which started at Logan High School as a standout basketball and football player – preferred basketball until choosing to focus on football his senior year. He became the starting quarterback late in his freshman year and earned a scholarship offer from Florida State as a sophomore at Logan. However, Falk’s parents (who were featured on a CNN series called “Extreme Parenting”) moved the family to Los Angeles to chase “better” opportunities for their kids, which had unfortunate results, including a divorce and a move back to Utah. Falk worked with quarterback guru Steve Clarkson and started two games at Oak Christian in 2011, but never felt comfortable, prompting his return to Utah. He was unable to rejoin his team due to transfer restrictions and was ineligible his junior year, serving as an assistant coach. As a senior, Falk set a state record for completions (330) and pass attempts (562), but went under the radar as a recruit – the previous offer from Florida State was rescinded and Idaho also pulled their scholarship offer. He received mostly FCS-level interest from programs and originally committed to Cornell, but he started to rethink that plan after the coach left. Falk sent a recruiting video to Washington State and Mike Leach offered him the chance to be a preferred walk on, redshirting in 2013. He started the 2014 season as a back-up before starting the final three games once starter Connor Halliday was injured, posting 1,859 yards and 13 touchdowns. Falk was the unquestioned starter as a sophomore and started 12 games (missed the Apple Cup), finishing No. 1 in the FBS with 380.5 yards per game and setting a personal-best with 4,562 passing yards to earn First Team All-Pac 12 honors. He started all 13 games as a junior in 2016 and finished with a career-high 70% completions, adding 4,468 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and 11 interceptions to earn Second Team All-Pac 12 honors. Falk had a rocky senior year and was even benched at one point, but it was learned he had an injured left wrist, which kept him out of the December 28 Holiday Bowl, a 42-17 loss to Michigan State. He finished strong with 3,593 passing yards, 66.9% completions, 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, earning Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors. He accepted his invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl.

in our view

Falk has some workable NFL traits with his touch, toughness and intelligence, but he lacks the arm and anticipation to be a tight-windowed passer and will need time to learn a NFL offense to stay on a roster.

strengths

Excellent timing and touch passer. Delivers catchable balls – high completion percentage passer in college. Hits receivers in stride to create catch-and-run opportunities. Subtle quickness in the pocket to buy extra half-seconds. Tough scrambler and will fight for extra yards. Highly productive collegiate career, setting the Pac-12 records for career passing yards (14,481), career passing touchdowns (119), and career completions (1,403). Earned his way as a former walk-on, winning the 2017 Burlsworth Trophy. Nose always in the playbook. Dedicated himself to the program “probably more than most people will ever realize,” according to Mike Leach. – Dane Brugler 12/30/2017

weaknesses

Lacks the arm strength to add RPMs when needed – his fastball is more of a change-up for most NFL passers. Doesn’t trust his arm to fit the ball into tight windows. Inconsistent anticipation, leading to closed routes. Hesitant and holds the ball much too long. Indecisive eyes, especially when rushed with pressure. Takes too many hits and appears gun shy after a few pressures. Mistakes tend to linger – benched twice as a senior due to ineffective stretches. Lean, lanky body type, leading to durability concerns – missed the 2017 bowl game with a left wrist injury. Not a rush threat due to average athleticism and stiff lower body. Benefited from a system offense and his high completion percentage reflects high volume of underneath throws. Comfortable with a small town vibe and might not find comfort in a big market team. – Dane Brugler 12/30/2017

Attended Logan High School in Logan, Utah

three-year letterwinner

as a SOPHOMORE, earned first-team All-Region and All-Valley League honors after passing for 1,486 yards and 17 touchdowns

went 132-for-210 and threw just four intercpetions

as a JUNIOR, attended Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, Calif.

as a SENIOR, earned first-team All-State and All-Region honors after throwing for 3,618 yards and 36 touchdowns

set Utah high school single-season records for pass attempts (562) and completions (330)

selected to play in the Utah High School All-Star game

three-year letterwinner in basketball, earning first-team All-Region honors as a junior.

Parents Mike and Analee

older sisters, Alexa and Natalee

uncle, Eric Falk played defensive end at Utah State

uncle, Jeff Anderson, played basketball at Utah State.

2017

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
534.0	6.7	0.669	3593.0	13.0	30.0	357.0

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
-2.2	0.0	-147.0	67.0	16.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	3.0	4.0

defensive
TFL	QB HUR	TOT	TD	PD	SACKS	SOLO
0.0	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0

2016

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
633.0	7.1	0.7	4468.0	11.0	38.0	443.0

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
-1.0	0.0	-68.0	66.0	10.0

fumbles
REC	LOST	FUM
0.0	2.0	3.0

2015

passing
ATT	YPA	PCT	YDS	INT	TD	COMPLETIONS
645.0	7.1	0.695	4566.0	8.0	38.0	448.0

rushing
YPC	TD	YDS	CAR	LONG
-1.4	3.0	-115.0	82.0	14.0