Don't tell the members of the Boise State offensive line that they had nothing to do with the success of 2011--they might just run you over.
Yet that's what the media keeps insisting time and time again in preseason polls and analysis of the Boise State team. They say that, with the loss of Kellen Moore and others, the Broncos will experience a precipitous fall from the elite in college football. What that group of wanna-be's and has-beens doesn't tell you is that eight linemen who have started for Boise State return this fall to lead the team's charge to prove the critics wrong.
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Senior Joe Kellogg (6-5, 305) anchors the line that will also include tackles Charles Leno (6-4, 294, Jr.) and Faraji Wright (6-3, 300, Sr.) and guard Jake Broyles (6-5, 290, Jr.), and likely Matt Paradis (6-3, 289, Jr.) at center after the injury to Cory Yriarte. Kellogg played ten games as a freshman, earning a start against Tulsa, and was named to the WAC All-Academic Team. In 2010, Joe moved into the full-time lineup as a starter and helped Boise State finish second in the nation in total offense (521 yards a game). Again, Kellogg was rewarded on the WAC All-Academic Team.
Last season, Kellogg started 11 games at left guard, helping Boise State lead the nation for the fewest sacks allowed (.62 per game). The Broncos were fifth in scoring (44.23) and ninth in total offense (481 yards per game).
Leno will likely become the fourth Bronco tackle in succession to graduate to the NFL. After two appearances as a freshman, Charles blossomed into a highly dependable force for Boise State last season, starting all 13 games at right tackle.
Broyles played in five games as a freshman in 2010 and was the Broncos' starter at right guard before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Council High School's Paradis was the Defensive Scout Player of the Year in 2009 before moving to the other side of the ball in 2010. Matt started last season and appeared in eight games for Boise State.
Michael Ames, Spencer Gerke and Brenel Myers have also started in the past for the Broncos, who have built a solid reputation for having one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Top collegiate forces such as Matt Hill, Daryn Colledge, Ryan Clady and Nate Potter have followed up their success on the Blue with NFL careers.
Myers (6-3, 282, Sr.) started twice as a freshman, including a start in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl against #4 TCU, in which he neutralized TCU's powerful Jerry Hughes for the entire game. Myers again started two games in 2010 including the win over nationally-ranked Virginia Tech. Last season, Brenel saw action in eight games.
Ames (6-4, 293, Sr.) started eight games as a freshman in 2009, helping Boise State lead the nation in scoring (42.2 points a game). Ames and his cohorts led the nation by allowing just five quarterback sacks and paved the way for four different 100-yard rushers. Michael was named to the WAC All-Academic Team. Ames did not play in 2010, but he did see action in seven games last season.
Bishop Kelly High School's Spencer Gerke (6-3, 296, Jr.) made three appearances as a freshman in 2010 and played in all 13 games for Boise State last season. Gerke started against both Toledo and Colorado State, filling in for the injured Kellogg.
That line doesn't show any signs of letting up in the future, as several talented underclassmen are poised to take over. Fans are itching to see guys like Marcus Henry, Travis Averill, Steven Baggett and Mario Yakoo in the lineup. Spencer Gerke, Archie Lewis, Rees Odhiambo, Chris Tozer (6-4, 311, Jr.), Adam Sheffield (6-4, 326, Fr.) and walk-ons Kellen Buhr (6-0, 264), Greg Dohmen (6-3, 291), Avery Westendorf (6-5, 270) and Shane Wickes (6-2, 243) provide depth this season.
Averill (6-3, 278, Fr.) earned Third Team All-California for Trinity High School in Anaheim. Baggett (6-3, 248, Fr.) started 38 games for Martin High School in Arlington, Texas and was named All-District as a senior. Henry (6-3, 297, Fr.) earned All-Washington honors for Bellevue High School and helped his team win consecutive state championships in 2009 and 2010--the fact that the ultra-talented Henry is not starting this season tells you everything you need to know about the 2010 Bronco offensive line. Odhiambo (6-4, 297, Fr.) earned second-team all-conference at Mansfield Legacy High School. Tozer was named All-Norcal both seasons at Foothill Community College in California. Yakoo (6-4, 320, Fr.) is another lineman the Broncos expect a lot out of in the future; Yakoo was named First Team All-CIF San Diego County last season for Steele Canyon High School.
There are no concerns whatsoever for the Bronco offensive line. With all-new guys at the skill positions, this group will be the established leaders of the Boise State offense. That leadership will go a long ways in defining the 2012 season.
Yet that's what the media keeps insisting time and time again in preseason polls and analysis of the Boise State team. They say that, with the loss of Kellen Moore and others, the Broncos will experience a precipitous fall from the elite in college football. What that group of wanna-be's and has-beens doesn't tell you is that eight linemen who have started for Boise State return this fall to lead the team's charge to prove the critics wrong.
.jpg)
Last season, Kellogg started 11 games at left guard, helping Boise State lead the nation for the fewest sacks allowed (.62 per game). The Broncos were fifth in scoring (44.23) and ninth in total offense (481 yards per game).
Leno will likely become the fourth Bronco tackle in succession to graduate to the NFL. After two appearances as a freshman, Charles blossomed into a highly dependable force for Boise State last season, starting all 13 games at right tackle.
Broyles played in five games as a freshman in 2010 and was the Broncos' starter at right guard before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Council High School's Paradis was the Defensive Scout Player of the Year in 2009 before moving to the other side of the ball in 2010. Matt started last season and appeared in eight games for Boise State.
Michael Ames, Spencer Gerke and Brenel Myers have also started in the past for the Broncos, who have built a solid reputation for having one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Top collegiate forces such as Matt Hill, Daryn Colledge, Ryan Clady and Nate Potter have followed up their success on the Blue with NFL careers.
Myers (6-3, 282, Sr.) started twice as a freshman, including a start in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl against #4 TCU, in which he neutralized TCU's powerful Jerry Hughes for the entire game. Myers again started two games in 2010 including the win over nationally-ranked Virginia Tech. Last season, Brenel saw action in eight games.
Ames (6-4, 293, Sr.) started eight games as a freshman in 2009, helping Boise State lead the nation in scoring (42.2 points a game). Ames and his cohorts led the nation by allowing just five quarterback sacks and paved the way for four different 100-yard rushers. Michael was named to the WAC All-Academic Team. Ames did not play in 2010, but he did see action in seven games last season.
Bishop Kelly High School's Spencer Gerke (6-3, 296, Jr.) made three appearances as a freshman in 2010 and played in all 13 games for Boise State last season. Gerke started against both Toledo and Colorado State, filling in for the injured Kellogg.
That line doesn't show any signs of letting up in the future, as several talented underclassmen are poised to take over. Fans are itching to see guys like Marcus Henry, Travis Averill, Steven Baggett and Mario Yakoo in the lineup. Spencer Gerke, Archie Lewis, Rees Odhiambo, Chris Tozer (6-4, 311, Jr.), Adam Sheffield (6-4, 326, Fr.) and walk-ons Kellen Buhr (6-0, 264), Greg Dohmen (6-3, 291), Avery Westendorf (6-5, 270) and Shane Wickes (6-2, 243) provide depth this season.
Averill (6-3, 278, Fr.) earned Third Team All-California for Trinity High School in Anaheim. Baggett (6-3, 248, Fr.) started 38 games for Martin High School in Arlington, Texas and was named All-District as a senior. Henry (6-3, 297, Fr.) earned All-Washington honors for Bellevue High School and helped his team win consecutive state championships in 2009 and 2010--the fact that the ultra-talented Henry is not starting this season tells you everything you need to know about the 2010 Bronco offensive line. Odhiambo (6-4, 297, Fr.) earned second-team all-conference at Mansfield Legacy High School. Tozer was named All-Norcal both seasons at Foothill Community College in California. Yakoo (6-4, 320, Fr.) is another lineman the Broncos expect a lot out of in the future; Yakoo was named First Team All-CIF San Diego County last season for Steele Canyon High School.
There are no concerns whatsoever for the Bronco offensive line. With all-new guys at the skill positions, this group will be the established leaders of the Boise State offense. That leadership will go a long ways in defining the 2012 season.
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