The San Jose State Spartans football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the San Jose State Spartans football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Spartans represent San Jose State University in the NCAA's Mountain West Conference (MW).
Although San Jose State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1893, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1938. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons: Since 1938, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length. Additionally, San Jose State has been grouped in the same MW football division as Hawaii since divisional play began in 2013, meaning that it plays at Hawaii every other year (currently in odd-numbered years). This is relevant because the NCAA allows teams that play at Hawaii in a given season to schedule 13 regular-season games instead of the normal 12. The Spartans have played 13 regular-season games twice—in 2010, when it played at Hawaii when both were in the Western Athletic Conference, and 2015. The Spartans will again play 13 regular-season games in 2017. The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers. Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Spartans have played in three bowl games since this decision, giving many recent players an extra game to accumulate statistics.
These lists are updated through the end of the 2025 season.
Passing
Passing yards
+ Career1David Fales8,3822012 2013 2Adam Tafralis7,5482004 2005 2006 2007 3Josh Love7,2062016 2017 2018 2019 4Ed Luther7,1901976 1977 1978 19795Steve Clarkson6,8421979 1980 1981 1982 6Jeff Garcia6,5451991 1992 1993 7Scott Rislov6,2672002 2003 8Mike Perez6,1941986 1987 9Craig Kimball6,1391972 1973 1974 10Chevan Cordeiro6,0232022 2023
+ Single season1David Fales4,1932012 2David Fales4,1892013 3Josh Love3,9232019 4Mike Perez3,2601987 5Scott Rislov3,25120026Chevan Cordeiro3,25020227Matt Faulkner3,1492011 8Ed Luther3,04919799Walker Eget3,047202510Adam Tafralis3,0222007
+ Single game1David Fales5472013 Fresno State2Scott Rislov5432003 UTEP3Mike Perez5081986 Pacific4Jordan La Secla4962010 Louisiana Tech5David Fales4822013 Wyoming6Marcus Arroyo4762001 Nevada7Walker Eget4732025 Stanford8Scott Rislov4702003 Tulsa9Ed Luther4671979 Long Beach StateSteve Clarkson4671981 ToledoDavid Fales4672012 Utah StateNick Starkel4672020 New Mexico
Passing touchdowns
+ Career1David Fales662012 2013 2Steve Clarkson561979 1980 1981 1982 3Adam Tafralis522004 2005 2006 2007 4Craig Kimball501972 1973 1974 5Jeff Garcia481991 1992 1993 6Ed Luther471976 1977 1978 1979 7Josh Love432016 2017 2018 2019 Chevan Cordeiro432022 20239Scott Rislov402002 2003 10Mike Perez361986 1987
+ Single season1David Fales332012 David Fales332013 3Ralph Martini231990 Chevan Cordeiro2320225Mike Perez221987 Scott Rislov222002 Josh Love222019 8Jeff Garcia211993 9Ed Luther201979 Chevan Cordeiro202023
+ Single game1Scott Rislov72003 UTEP
Rushing
Rushing yards
+ Career1Deonce Whitaker3,5151998 1999 2000 2001 2Tyler Ervin2,8032011 2012 2013 2014 2015 3Kairee Robinson2,713 2019 2020 2021 2022 20234Tyler Nevens2,640 2017 2018 2019 2020 20215Sheldon Canley2,5131988 1989 1990 6Gerald Willhite2,3641980 1981 7Yonus Davis2,3192003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008Davis only in played two games in 2004 as a sophomore before being injured and receiving a medical redshirt for the year. As a fifth-year senior in 2007, he again only played two games before a season-ending injury. The NCAA granted him a sixth year of eligibility in 2008.8Nathan DuPree1,9761992 1993 9Rick Kane1,9671975 1976 10Kenny Jackson1,9351986 1987
+ Single season1Tyler Ervin1,6012015 2Deonce Whitaker1,5772000 3Sheldon Canley1,2481990 4Nathan DuPree1,2391992 5Johnny Johnson Jr.1,2191988 6Gerald Willhite1,2101980 7Sheldon Canley1,2011989 8Kairee Robinson1,193 20239Gerald Willhite1,1541981 10Kevin Cole1,1541978
+ Single game1Tyler Ervin3002015 Fresno State2Nathan DuPree2861992 UNLV3Deonce Whitaker2782000 Hawaii4Deonce Whitaker2542000 Stanford5Sheldon Canley2531990 UNLV6Johnny Johnson Jr.2281988 Utah State7Charley Harraway2271965 Montana State8Johnny Johnson Jr.2171988 WashingtonDe'Leon Eskridge2172012 Louisiana Tech10Kevin Cole2161978 Montana
Rushing touchdowns
+ Career1Deonce Whitaker331998 1999 2000 2001 2Kairee Robinson31 2019 2020 2021 2022 20233Kenny Jackson251986 1987 Sheldon Canley251988 1989 1990 5Johnny Johnson Sr.211960 1961 1962 Brandon Rutley212008 2009 2010 2011 7Gerald Willhite201980 1981 Jamar Julien201999 2000 2001 9Tyler Ervin192011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Johnny Johnson Jr.191987 1988 1989
+ Single season1Kairee Robinson18 20232Tyler Ervin162015 3Johnny Johnson Jr.151988 Deonce Whitaker152000 5Sheldon Canley131989 6Kenny Jackson121986 Sheldon Canley121990
+ Single game1Dick Stults41952 BYUJoe Ulm41953 BYUJohnny Johnson Jr.41988 New Mexico StateNathan DuPree41992 PacificDeonce Whitaker41999 St. Mary'sDeonce Whitaker42000 UTEPJamar Julien42000 NevadaJamar Julien42001 TulsaLamar Ferguson42002 Illinois
Receiving
Receptions
+ Career1Chandler Jones2482010 2011 2012 2013 2Noel Grigsby2372010 2011 2012 2013 3Tre Walker1892017 2018 2019 20204Tyler Winston1712013 2014 2015 5Nick Nash1632019 2021 2022 2023 20246Kevin Jurovich1602005 2006 2007 2008 7Tim Crawley1512013 2014 2015 2016 8Jabari Carr1502011 2012 2013 9Guy Liggins1491986 1987 10Jalal Beauchman1462006 2007 2008 2009
+ Single season1Nick Nash10420242Noel Grigsby892011 3Danny Scudero8820254Kevin Jurovich852007 5Edell Shepherd832001 6Noel Grigsby822012 7Chandler Jones792013 Tre Walker79 20199Tyler Winston782014 10Guy Liggins771987
+ Single game1Nick Nash172024 Kennesaw State2Nick Nash162024 Washington State3Guy Liggins151986 Fresno StateSteven Pulley151999 StanfordTuati Wooden152003 Tulsa6Rick Parma121978 PacificKevin Bowman121984 Utah StateDoug Hooker121988 UNLVKevin Evans121988 Utah StateNoel Grigsby122011 HawaiiTre Walker122019 ArkansasMatthew Coleman122024 South FloridaDanny Scudero122025 San Diego State
Receiving yards
+ Career1Noel Grigsby3,1212010 2011 2012 2013 2Chandler Jones3,0872010 2011 2012 2013 3Tre Walker2,7902017 2018 2019 20204Bailey Gaither2,2272016 2017 2018 2019 20205Stacey Bailey2,2231978 1979 1980 1981 6Nick Nash2,2122019 2021 2022 2023 20247Edell Shepherd2,2072000 2001 8Guy Liggins2,1911986 1987 9Kevin Jurovich2,1432005 2006 2007 2008 10Tim Kearse2,0841980 1981 1982
+ Single season1Edell Shepherd1,5002001 2Nick Nash1,38220243Chandler Jones1,3562013 4Noel Grigsby1,3072012 5Danny Scudero1,29120256Guy Liggins1,2081987 7Kevin Jurovich1,1832007 8Tre Walker1,161 20199Elijah Cooks1,076 202210Guy Liggins9831986 Justin Lockhart9832024
+ Single game1Edell Shepherd2692001 Nevada2Edell Shepherd2642001 Stanford3Steven Pulley2551999 Stanford4Kevin Jurovich2332007 New Mexico State5Nick Nash2252024 Kennesaw State6Kevin Evans2161988 Utah State7Danny Scudero2152025 Hawai'i8Tre Walker2092018 Utah State9Bailey Gaither2082020 New Mexico10Guy Liggins2031986 Fresno StateJohnny Johnson Jr.2031989 Pacific
Receiving touchdowns
+ Career1Chandler Jones292010 2011 2012 2013 2Nick Nash252019 2021 2022 2023 20243Edell Shepherd182000 2001 Bailey Gaither182016 2017 2018 2019 20205Noel Grigsby172010 2011 2012 2013 6Mark Nichols161979 1980 Tim Kearse161980 1981 1982 Guy Liggins161986 1987 Oliver Newell161997 1998 10Brian Lundy141992 1993 1995 Gary Maddocks141973 1974 1975 1976 Rick Parma141977 1978 1979 1980
+ Single season1Nick Nash1620242Chandler Jones152013 3Edell Shepherd142001 4Oliver Newell111997 5Guy Liggins101987 James Jones102006 Elijah Cooks10 2022Danny Scudero1020259Kevin Jurovich92007 Noel Grigsby92012
+ Single game1Danny Scudero42025 Wyoming2Rick Parma31978 PacificMark Nichols31979 Long Beach StateGerald Willhite31981 CaliforniaMervyn Fernandez31981 Fresno StateStacey Bailey31981 Fresno StateTim Kearse31982 StanfordKen Taylor31982 Santa ClaraTony Smith31984 CaliforniaOliver Newell31997 Colorado StateOliver Newell31997 HawaiiOliver Newell31997 UNLVEdell Shepherd32001 NevadaCourtney Anderson32003 UTEPJames Jones32006 WashingtonJalal Beauchman32010 Louisiana TechChandler Jones32013 MinnesotaChandler Jones32013 WyomingChandler Jones32013 Fresno StateElijah Cooks32022 Utah StateNick Nash32023 USCNick Nash32024 Kennesaw State
Total offense Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
+ Career1David Fales8,250 2012 2013 2Adam Tafralis8,111 2004 2005 2006 2007 3Jeff Garcia7,274 1991 1992 1993 4Steve Clarkson6,995 1979 1980 1981 1982 5Ed Luther6,981 1976 1977 1978 1979 6Chevan Cordeiro6,5602022 20237Scott Rislov6,249 2002 2003 8Mike Perez6,182 1986 1987 9Craig Kimball5,820 1972 1973 1974 10Walker Eget5,7442021 2022 2024 2025
+ Single season1David Fales4,196 2013 2David Fales4,054 2012 3Chevan Cordeiro3,51520224Scott Rislov3,264 2002 5Mike Perez3,213 1987 6Adam Tafralis3,203 2007 7Walker Eget3,14720258Matt Faulkner3,072 2011 9Chevan Cordeiro3,045 202310Ed Luther2,997 1979
+ Single game1David Fales5802013 Fresno State
Total touchdowns
+ Career1Steve Clarkson68 1979 1980 1981 1982 David Fales68 2012 2013 3Jeff Garcia63 1991 1992 1993 4Adam Tafralis61 2004 2005 2006 2007 5Craig Kimball56 1972 1973 1974 6Ed Luther55 1976 1977 1978 1979 Chevan Cordeiro552022 2023
+ Single season1David Fales35 2013 2David Fales33 2012
+ Single game1Scott Rislov72003 UTEPDavid Fales72013 Fresno State
Defense
Interceptions
+ Career1Ken Thomas141979 1980 1981 1982 Sherman Cocroft141982 1983 Gerald Jones142002 2003 Bené Benwikere142010 2011 2012 2013 5Archie Chagonjian131949 1950 1951 Troy Jensen131990 1991 1992 1993 Omarr Smith131995 1996 1997 1998 Christopher Owens132005 2006 2007 Dwight Lowery132006 2007
+ Single season1Dwight Lowery92006 2Leroy Zimmerman81939 Don Peterson81966 Gerald Jones82002
+ Single game1Don Dambacher31949 MexicoTroy Jensen31993 Louisiana TechOmarr Smith31997 HawaiiGerald Jones32002 StanfordJosh Powell32005 IdahoDwight Lowery32006 Cal PolyBené Benwikere32012 Louisiana Tech
Tackles
+ Career1Dave Chaney5271969 1970 1971 2Keith Smith4762010 2011 2012 20133Kyle Harmon443 2018 2019 2020 2021 20224Matt Castelo4332004 2005 2006 2007 5Carl Ekern4301972 1973 1974 1975 6Bill Brown3701970 1971 1972 7Josh Parry3541997 1998 1999 2000 8Jordan Pollard353 2022 2023 2024 20259Ethan Aguayo3452016 2017 2018 201910Vince Buhagiar3242010 2011 2012 2013 2014
+ Single season1Randy Gill2321977 2Dave Chaney2071971 3Dave Chaney2061970 4Frank Manumaleuna1751978 5Matt Castelo1652006 6Keith Smith1592013 7Jim Singleton1441993 8Carl Ekern1421974 9Matt Castelo1412007 10Dan Godfrey1361994
+ Single game1Dave Chaney271971 Fresno StateFrank Manumaleuna271978 Colorado3Dave Chaney261970 Fresno State4Randy Gill251977 Pacific5Jacob Malae241996 WashingtonEzekiel Staples242004 Rice5Randy Gill241977 San Diego State8Dave Albright231983 Cal State Fullerton
Sacks
+ Career1Travis Johnson32.02009 2010 2011 2012 2Lyneil Mayo30.01989 1990 3Bob Overly26.51980 19814Cade Hall25.52018 2019 2020 2021 20225Viliami Fehoko23.02018 2019 2020 2021 20226Terry McDonald21.51983 1984 Jarron Gilbert21.52005 2006 2007 2008 8Rod Traylor17.01980 1981 Carl Ihenacho17.02006 2007 2008 2009 10Anthony Washington15.51990 1991 1992
+ Single season1Bob Overly17.01981 2Lyneil Mayo16.51989 3Lyneil Mayo13.51990 4Travis Johnson13.02012 5Rod Traylor11.01980 Terry McDonald11.01984 7Terry McDonald10.51983 Sam Kennedy10.519869Cade Hall10.0202010Raymond Bowles9.51991 Jarron Gilbert9.52008