One by one, Blue Football Through and Through is analyzing the 2012 Boise State football team, position by position. We're beginning with those that are the strongest that should help carry the Bronco team, and ending with the ones that aren't as deep and need players to step up.
Running back should be another strong position this fall. Senior D.J. Harper, after playing behind Doug Martin and others his entire career, is finally the go-to guy in the Boise State backfield. He will be helped tremendously by the return of fullback Dan Paul, more on him later. Harper possesses both the size (5-9, 205) and speed to be utilized inside the tackles as well as a breakaway threat. D.J. has already had an amazing career and the Texas Tornado doesn't have to press to have a good season. He has the benefit of knowing that he is the #1 guy, but also that he'll have plenty of help; in other words, Harper doesn't have to do it all by himself.
We knew right away about D.J., who had the fourth-best season in school history by a freshman in 2007. Harper shocked defenses for 376 yards and five touchdowns and became the first true freshman since 1988 to rush for more than 100 yards when he picked up 153 against Fresno State. D.J. also caught three passes for 13 yards and a touchdown. The following year, Harper rushed 55 times for 278 yards and four touchdowns and returned a kickoff for 21 yards.
Harper had high hopes in 2009 and was off to a great start, gaining 284 yards, averaging 6.5 yards a carry and scoring three times in three games when he suffered a season-ending injury against Fresno State. After working diligently to recover, Harper came back in 2010 and I'll be darned if he didn't get hurt again in the third game. Harper was sensational against #10 Virginia Tech, scoring a 71-yard touchdown.
Harper finished last season behind only Doug Martin on the Bronco team with 557 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. Harper is now less than 400 yards away from ranking in the Top 10 in school history. Harper's 24 rushing TD's is ninth in school history. He also caught 19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, returned five kickoffs and even blocked a punt!
Senior Drew Wright (5-9, 203) is listed behind Harper, but he'll be challenged by a trio of tremendously talented underclassmen. Wright played sparingly as a freshman and picked up 55 yards, then gained 38 yards in 2010. Last year, Wright came into his own when he carried 43 times for 218 yards (5.1 average) and three touchdowns and also caught three passes for 17 yards.
Jack Fields (5-9, 194, Fr.) is the odds-on favorite to play as a true freshman. Bronco coaches and fans were excited about Fields from the moment he stepped on campus and if anything, he has added to that excitement with his play this fall. Fields is a runner in the style of Doug Martin and will likely continue to add bulk and muscle in his four years in Boise.
Fields was a three -year starter at Americas High School in Texas. Jack rushed 160 times for 960 yards and nine scores as a sophomore, then picked up 1,698 yards and scored 18 times as a junior. Last season, Fields was 5-A co-Most Valuable Player and second-team all-state, when he carried 280 times for 2,478 yards (8.85 yards a carry) and scored 25 touchdowns.
Jay Ajayi (6-0, 222, Fr.) hopefully has put his issues behind him and is ready to contribute. One thing he knows for sure; if he hasn't, he won't play. Ajayi is lightning fast and provides the Broncos with another breakaway threat.
Ajayi carried 209 times for 1,627 yards (7.8 yards a carry) as a junior Frisco Liberty High School in Texas. As a senior, Jay picked up 2,240 yards on 225 carries (9.96 yards a carry) and scored 35 TD's.
Devan Demas (5-8, 170, Fr.) is more than ready to move up the depth chart if necessary. Demas could redshirt but has the ability to play right away or even start.
Devan accumulated 2,114 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior when he was named second-team all-district at Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas.
Behind these five are freshmen Charles Bertoli (5-11, 191) and Jamel Hart (5-9, 211).
The absence of fullback Dan Paul last year due to injury was a big blow to the Boise State offense. Bronco coaches did their best patchwork job, inserting several players to do the job Paul normally did, but it wasn't the same. Paul's rehabilitation has gone very well; in fact, he's even bigger (6-1, 262) than before and ready to deal out punishment to any opponent who has the nerve to set foot in the Bronco backfield. As was the case last year, Paul's health is critical to Boise State's ability to reach their potential, but just in case, Jamal Wilson (5-11, 227) is ready to step in after a redshirt year.
Doug Martin was a first-round draft choice, but Boise State looks to be even stronger on the ground this year as any number of talented backs can hurt you from all angles.
Running back should be another strong position this fall. Senior D.J. Harper, after playing behind Doug Martin and others his entire career, is finally the go-to guy in the Boise State backfield. He will be helped tremendously by the return of fullback Dan Paul, more on him later. Harper possesses both the size (5-9, 205) and speed to be utilized inside the tackles as well as a breakaway threat. D.J. has already had an amazing career and the Texas Tornado doesn't have to press to have a good season. He has the benefit of knowing that he is the #1 guy, but also that he'll have plenty of help; in other words, Harper doesn't have to do it all by himself.
We knew right away about D.J., who had the fourth-best season in school history by a freshman in 2007. Harper shocked defenses for 376 yards and five touchdowns and became the first true freshman since 1988 to rush for more than 100 yards when he picked up 153 against Fresno State. D.J. also caught three passes for 13 yards and a touchdown. The following year, Harper rushed 55 times for 278 yards and four touchdowns and returned a kickoff for 21 yards.
Harper had high hopes in 2009 and was off to a great start, gaining 284 yards, averaging 6.5 yards a carry and scoring three times in three games when he suffered a season-ending injury against Fresno State. After working diligently to recover, Harper came back in 2010 and I'll be darned if he didn't get hurt again in the third game. Harper was sensational against #10 Virginia Tech, scoring a 71-yard touchdown.
Harper finished last season behind only Doug Martin on the Bronco team with 557 yards and a career-high nine touchdowns. Harper is now less than 400 yards away from ranking in the Top 10 in school history. Harper's 24 rushing TD's is ninth in school history. He also caught 19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown, returned five kickoffs and even blocked a punt!
Senior Drew Wright (5-9, 203) is listed behind Harper, but he'll be challenged by a trio of tremendously talented underclassmen. Wright played sparingly as a freshman and picked up 55 yards, then gained 38 yards in 2010. Last year, Wright came into his own when he carried 43 times for 218 yards (5.1 average) and three touchdowns and also caught three passes for 17 yards.
Jack Fields (5-9, 194, Fr.) is the odds-on favorite to play as a true freshman. Bronco coaches and fans were excited about Fields from the moment he stepped on campus and if anything, he has added to that excitement with his play this fall. Fields is a runner in the style of Doug Martin and will likely continue to add bulk and muscle in his four years in Boise.
Fields was a three -year starter at Americas High School in Texas. Jack rushed 160 times for 960 yards and nine scores as a sophomore, then picked up 1,698 yards and scored 18 times as a junior. Last season, Fields was 5-A co-Most Valuable Player and second-team all-state, when he carried 280 times for 2,478 yards (8.85 yards a carry) and scored 25 touchdowns.
Jay Ajayi (6-0, 222, Fr.) hopefully has put his issues behind him and is ready to contribute. One thing he knows for sure; if he hasn't, he won't play. Ajayi is lightning fast and provides the Broncos with another breakaway threat.
Ajayi carried 209 times for 1,627 yards (7.8 yards a carry) as a junior Frisco Liberty High School in Texas. As a senior, Jay picked up 2,240 yards on 225 carries (9.96 yards a carry) and scored 35 TD's.
Devan Demas (5-8, 170, Fr.) is more than ready to move up the depth chart if necessary. Demas could redshirt but has the ability to play right away or even start.
Devan accumulated 2,114 all-purpose yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior when he was named second-team all-district at Cypress Creek High School in Houston, Texas.
Behind these five are freshmen Charles Bertoli (5-11, 191) and Jamel Hart (5-9, 211).
The absence of fullback Dan Paul last year due to injury was a big blow to the Boise State offense. Bronco coaches did their best patchwork job, inserting several players to do the job Paul normally did, but it wasn't the same. Paul's rehabilitation has gone very well; in fact, he's even bigger (6-1, 262) than before and ready to deal out punishment to any opponent who has the nerve to set foot in the Bronco backfield. As was the case last year, Paul's health is critical to Boise State's ability to reach their potential, but just in case, Jamal Wilson (5-11, 227) is ready to step in after a redshirt year.
Doug Martin was a first-round draft choice, but Boise State looks to be even stronger on the ground this year as any number of talented backs can hurt you from all angles.
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