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Luke Falk Aims to Prove Himself All Over Again with Titans

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Luke Falk began his collegiate career as a walk-on.

But the former Washington State quarterback earned a scholarship and much more. Falk finished as one of the most prolific passers in college football history, with 14,486 passing yards and 119 touchdowns to his name.

Now he's starting over again, hoping to prove himself to a new team, in the NFL. The Titans selected Falk in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.

"We're freshmen in here right now and we are starting over," Falk said during the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend. "We have to go out there and prove it every day.

"I am just eager to get out here, have the opportunity to play football, and have the opportunity to do my job at a high level."

Falk believes his experience – and what he learned at Washington State – should help.

"I think what college helped me do is compete, and you have to do it here every day," Falk said. "Your job is on the line every day. You have to come out here and compete and constantly improve. So that is one thing I'll take over here and hopefully it will translate on the field."

Falk is one of three quarterbacks currently on the team's roster – behind starter Marcus Mariota, and veteran No.2 quarterback Blaine Gabbert. When Falk was drafted, the Titans had two others quarterbacks on the roster. But the Titans released Alex Tanney the week after the draft, and Tyler Ferguson was let go on Monday.

With the Titans, Falk (6-4, 215) is adjusting to a new scheme, using different techniques in the NFL.

After operating in a spread offense at Washington State, Falk is now getting used to a pro-style offense in Nashville. Falk estimated he took 35 snaps under center in four seasons at WSU, but things will be different with the Titans.

"It's hard," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of rookies learning new techniques, and positions, in the NFL. "It's something I went through as a player and it was difficult. When you play one position in college, and then you show up here and they are asking you to do something new … (like) go under center. When for four years this was a quarterback who was predominately in the shotgun and to learn the pro style."

Falk began preparing for life in the NFL after his final college season ended with his offseason preparation on the West Coast.

And he was impressive in the pre-draft process.

At his pro day in March, Falk impressed scouts by completing 51 of 55 passes in a scripted workout that included a pair of 65-yard long passes.

Former Cowboys personnel man Gil Brandt noted 29 teams showed up to watch him, and said, "I was told he had an outstanding workout, throwing beautiful long ball, with velocity, accuracy." Brandt and others projected Falk as a mid-round pick.

Titans general manager Jon Robinson said after talking Falk in the NFL Draft he was tough to pass up at pick No.199.

Falk was a three-time All-Pac 12 conference selection at Washington State, where he appeared in 43 games, including 40 as a starter. Falk set a WSU record with 27 wins.

Falk threw for 14,486 yards in his career, including 3,593 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2017, with only 13 interceptions. He had 30 300-yard games and a 66.9 career completion percentage.

"He was a guy that was kind of sticking out at the top of our board as a guy," Robinson said of Falk, "and quarterback is a premium position in this league. To add a guy like him who has had a really productive college career, and with his work ethic and his mindset at that position, a guy to work with, come in here and compete on the 90-man roster for a spot. I am really excited to add Luke."

Right now, Falk is just getting started.

While working with the rookies, and throwing to a new set of receivers, he made strides.

"It has been good," he said. "It has been a lot of learning. Each day just trying to get a little better. There's still a whole lot of room to grow."

On Monday, he joined the veterans in the offseason program at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

Falk said he's trying to improve in everything, while learning along the way. How the team practices, including the the pace of play, is all new. So are his targets, and the competition.

The most important thing, he believes, is making every rep, and every day, count.

"I think it is just a process," Falk said. "(If you mess up) you can't get too upset because in football you are going to get another opportunity and you have to go out there and play and do your job.

"I think football is football. In the pass game you have to … throw with anticipation and timing, so I think you can take that here. Scheme-wise it is a different scheme. I just have to learn it and did what I did at Washington State."

The Titans select Washington State QB Luke Falk in the 6th round (#199th overall) of 2018 NFL Draft. (AP Photos)

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