- Nick Nash was the NCAA “triple crown winner” at receiver with 104 catches for 1,382 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.
- David Fales is the Spartans' all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
- Tyler Ervin is the Spartans' single-game rushing leader with 300 yards in 2015 against Fresno State.
The San Jose State Spartans’ NCAAF odds to win national championships will likely never be among the top college programs. However, they’ve had some success, including seven bowl game wins through the 2024 season.
Still, the Spartans’ football odds are available at the BetMGM online sportsbook.
See my list of the top five Spartans players of all time.
5 Best San Jose State Spartans Football Players, Ranked
| Rank | Player | Position | Spartans Years |
| 1 | David Fales | QB | 2012-2013 |
| 2 | Nick Nash | QB/WR | 2019-2024 |
| 3 | Tyler Ervin | RB | 2011-2015 |
| 4 | Dave Chaney | LB | 1969-1971 |
| 5 | Cade Hall | DE | 2018-2022 |
San Jose State Spartans All-Time Greatest Football Players
1. David Fales
After beginning his college career at Monterey Peninsula from 2010 to 2011, Fales transferred to San Jose State, where he played from 2012 to 2014.
Over that time, he threw for 8,382 yards (first in program history), 66 touchdowns (first), had 8,250 total yards (first), and recorded 68 total touchdowns (tied for first).
In 2012, he threw for 4,193 yards and 33 touchdowns. He followed that up with 4,189 yards and 33 more touchdowns in 2013.
Those passing statistics are still top two in the single-season record books.
He was named the 2012 Military Bowl MVP and was second-team All-WAC and second-team All-MWC.
2. Nick Nash
Nash began his career with San Jose State in 2019 as a dual-threat quarterback. However, by the end of 2024, he was a triple-crown-winning wide receiver.
As a quarterback in fairly limited action, he completed 56.3% of his passes for 1,359 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also added 858 rushing yards and five rushing scores.
However, he made the switch to receiver more so full time in 2023.
His first full-time season was slower, with 48 catches for 728 yards and eight touchdowns.
Then, as a sixth-year player in 2024, he caught 104 passes for 1,382 yards and 16 touchdowns, which led the NCAA.
Over his tenure, he was a unanimous All-American, first-team All-Mountain West, and second-team All-Mountain West.
When it was all said and done, he had 163 receptions (fifth), 2,212 receiving yards (sixth), and 25 touchdowns (second).
He holds the single-season Spartans records in receptions and receiving touchdowns. His 1,382 yards are second.
3. Tyler Ervin
Ervin was with San Jose State from 2011 to 2015.
Over that time, he accumulated 2,803 rushing yards (second) and 19 rushing touchdowns (tied for ninth).
He had a monstrous 2015 campaign, rushing 294 times for 1,601 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 1,601 yards are the single-season record.
That season, he also ran for 300 yards against Fresno State, which is the San Jose State single-game record.
He was a second-team All-American and first-team All-MWC.
4. Dave Chaney
A linebacker for the Spartans from 1969 to 1971, Chaney recorded 527 tackles (first).
He holds the single-game tackle record with 27 in 1971 against Fresno State.
Chaney also holds two of the top three single-season tackle records, including 207 in 1971.
He’s the only player in Spartans history to have his number retired (52).
5. Cade Hall
Hall played defensive end for San Jose State from 2018 to 2022. He recorded 25.5 sacks (fourth) and four sacks in 2022 against Nevada, which is tied for the most sacks in a single game by a Spartan.
He was a two-time first-team all-MWC and the MWC Defensive Player of the Year.
