Northern California quarterback commits to Nevada

Appeal Staff Report

The University of Nevada football team has already picked up a huge commitment for the 2009 season.

David Fales, who will enter his senior season at Palma High in Salinas, Calif., has gone from a backup quarterback fighting mononucleosis at this time last year to a hot prospect. And Fales has verbally committed to Nevada, the Herald of Monterey County reported on Tuesday.

The newspaper reported that Fales committed to Nevada over the weekend. Fales will be able to sign with the Wolf Pack during the fall signing period in November.

Sidelined for nearly a month last year with mononucleosis, Fales didn't suit up until the second game of the season. By the fourth game, Fales took over the starting job due to a season-ending injury to the starting quarterback.

Fales threw for more than 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns last season in seven starts. He completed an outstanding 72 percent of his passes and had just one interception in 117 attempts. He will enter this season having a streak of 101 passes without an interception.

The 6-foot-3, 198-pounder's stock sky-rocketed last month at the Elite 11 Camp in Berkeley, where Fales compiled the third highest rating among the 65 Division I quarterback prospects.

Among those who Fales scored higher than were the sons of former NFL quarterbacks Joe Montana and Neil Lomax.

Fales was listed in the ESPN Top 150 Prospects List and the EA Sports Tracker Top 100. Among the schools that Fales had spoken to were Oregon State, Kansas State, Colorado State, Utah and Portland State.

"None of them compared," Fales told The Herald when comparing Nevada to those schools.. "After talking to the Nevada coaches, I loved them. I was really surprised by the support. The town is covered in silver and blue."

It's also believed that Nevada's Pistol offense will suit Fales' skills.

During his visit over the weekend, Fales spent time with former Palma tailback Luke Lippincott, who led the Wolf Pack in rushing last season as a junior with nearly 1,400 yards.

"He talked to me about his experience," Fales said. "He said coming to Nevada was the greatest decision he's ever made. He didn't need to sell me.'"