Yes Indeed

I will have plenty to say about the NFL not drafting Kellen Moore.

Two More Broncos Sign Free Agent Deals

Linebacker Aaron Tevis has signed with New Orleans while wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker has agreed to terms with Tampa Bay.  That's six drafted players and five with free agent deals.

Jarrell Root Has Signed With Miami

The fiery leader of the Broncos became the third Bronco to sign a free agent contract.  Root has inked a deal with the Miami Dolphins.

Official! Kellen Moore Signs with Detroit

Matthew Stafford of Georgia is the starter but there is only one other quarterback on the roster as of the moment.


I'm sure Kellen will relish the chance to prove the NFL idiots wrong.

Am Hearing Kellen May Sign with Detroit

Moore to Titus again?  Stay tuned.

NFL Draft Picks by College

1.  Alabama 8
2.  Georgia 7
2.  Oklahoma 7
2.  South Carolina 7
4.  Boise State 6
4.  California 6
4.  Iowa 6
4.  LSU 6
4.  Miami of Florida 6
4.  Michigan State 6
10.  Baylor 5
10.  North Carolina State 5
10.  Ohio State 5
10.  Wisconsin 5
14.  Arkansas 4
14.  Cincinnati 4
14.  Clemson 4
14.  Florida State 4
14.  Illinois 4
14.  Oregon 4
14.  Nebraska 4
14.  Nevada 4
14.  Notre Dame 4
14.  Penn State 4
14.  SMU 4
14.  Stanford 4
14.  Wake Forest 4

Chase Baker Has Signed with Minnesota

Chase Baker, the stalwart in the middle of the Boise State defensive line, has signed a free agent contract with Minnesota.


That's now seven Bronco seniors making NFL teams pending workouts.

Nate Potter is a Cardinal!

All-American tackle Nate Potter of Boise State has been selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the seventh round.  Potter is the sixth Bronco selected in the draft, a new school record.


Way to go Nate--we expect big things from you!

Boise State Sets New School Record for Draft Picks

Even though Boise State should already have six or seven players selected, they have set a new record for number of draft picks, breaking the mark set by the Fiesta Bowl Championship team in the 2007 NFL Draft.  The 2007 Draft featured four Broncos and with 40 picks remaining, five Boise State players have been chosen this year.

Billy Winn Chosen by Cleveland

Billy Winn was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL Draft today by the Cleveland Browns.


Congats, big Billy!

George Iloka to the Bengals!

Well, the NFL certainly took its time on the second-best safety in the country.  Finally in the fifth round, the Cincinnati Bengals got a steal by choosing George Iloka.


Congrats, George.  I know you will prove the doubters wrong!

NFL Draft Day Three

Fourth Round:
96.    St. Louis--Chris Givens, WR Wake Forest
97.    Miami--Lamar Miller, RB Miami of Florida
98.    Baltimore--Gino Gradkowski, G Delaware
99.    Houston--Ben Jones, C Georgia
100.  Cleveland--Travis Benjamin, WR Miami of Florida
101.  Denver--Omar Bolden, CB Arizona State
102.  Washington--Kirk Cousins, QB Michigan State
103.  Carolina--Frank Alexander, DE Oklahoma
104.  Carolina--Joe Adams, WR Arkansas
105.  Buffalo--Nigel Bradham, OLB Florida State
106.  Seattle--Robert Turbin, RB Utah State
107.  Kansas City--Devon Wylie, WR Fresno State
108.  Denver--Phillip Blake, G Baylor
109.  Pittsburgh--Alameda Ta'amu, DT Washington
110.  San Diego--Ladarius Green, TE Louisiana-Lafayette
111.  Chicago--Evan Rodriguez, TE Temple
112.  Arizona--Bobbie Massie, T Mississippi
113.  Dallas--Kyle Wilber, OLB Wake Forest
114.  Seattle--Jaye Howard, DT Florida
115.  Tennessee--Coty Sensabaugh, CB Clemson
116.  Cincinnati--Orson Charles, TE Georgia
117.  San Francisco--Joe Looney, G Wake Forest
118.  Minnesota--Jarius Wright, WR Arkansas
119.  Washington--Keenan Robinson, OLB Texas
120.  Cleveland--James-Michael Johnson, ILB Nevada
121.  Houston--Keshawn Martin, WR Michigan State
122.  New Orleans--Nick Toon, WR Virginia
123.  Philadelphia--Brandon Boykin, CB Georgia
124.  Buffalo--Ron Brooks, CB LSU
125.  Detroit--Ronnell Lewis, OLB Oklahoma
126.  Houston--Jared Crick, DE Nebraska
127.  New York Giants--Adrien Robinson, TE Cincinnati
128.  Minnesota--Rhett Ellison, TE USC
129.  Oakland--Miles Burris, OLB, San Diego State
130.  Baltimore--Christian Thompson, S South Carolina State
131.  New York Giants--Brandon Mosley, OLB Auburn
132.  Green Bay--Mike Daniels, DT Iowa
133.  Green Bay--Jerron McMillian, S Maine
134.  Minnesota--Greg Childs, WR Arkansas
135.  Dallas--Matt Johnson, S Eastern Washington


Round Five:
136.  Indianapolis--Josh Chapman, DT Alabama
137.  Denver--Malik Johnson, DE Tennessee
138.  Detroit--Tahir Whitehead, OLB Temple
139.  Minnesota Robert Blanton, S Notre Dame
140.  Tampa Bay--Najae Goode, ILB West Virginia
141.  Washington--Adam Gettis, G Iowa
142.  Jacksonville--Brandon Marshall, OLB Nevada
143.  Carolina--Josh Norman, CB Coastal Carolina
144.  Buffalo--Zebrie Sanders, T Florida State
145.  Tennessee--Taylor Thompson, DE SMU
146.  Kansas City--DeQuan Menzie, CB Alabama
147.  Buffalo--Tank Carder, OLB TCU
148.  Detroit--Chris Greenwood, CB Albion
149.  San Diego--Johnnie Troutman, G Penn State
150.  St. Louis--Rokevious Watkins, G South Carolina
151.  Arizona--Senio Kelemete, G Washington
152.  Dallas--Danny Coale, WR Virginia Tech
153.  Philadelphia--Dennis Kelly, T Purdue
154.  Seattle--Korey Toomer, OLB Idaho
155.  Miami--Josh Kaddu, OLB Oregon
156.  Cincinnati--Shaun Prater, CB Iowa
157.  Atlanta--Brady Ewing, FB Wisconsin
158.  Oakland--Jack Crawford, DE Penn State
159.  Pittsburgh--Chris Rainey, RB Florida
160.  Cleveland--Ryan Miller, G Colorado
161.  Houston--Randy Bullock, PK Texas A&M
162.  New Orleans--Corey White, S Samford
163.  Green Bay--Terrell Manning, OLB North Carolina State
164.  Atlanta--Jonathan Massaquoi, OLB, Troy
165.  San Francisco--Darius Fleming, OLB Notre Dame
166.  Cincinnati--Marvin Jones, WR California
167.  Cincinnati--George Iloka, S Boise State
168.  Oakland--Juron Criner, WR Arizona
169.  Baltimore--Asa Jackson, CB Cal Poly
170.  Indianapolis--Vick Ballard, RB Mississippi State


Round Six:
171.  St. Louis--Greg Zeurlein, Missouri Western State
172.  Seattle--Jeremy Lane, CB Northwestern State
173.  Washington--Alfred Morris, RB Florida Atlantic
174.  Tampa Bay--Keith Tandy, CB West Virginia
175.  Minnesota--Blair Walsh, PK Georgia
176.  Carolina--Mike Harris, CB Florida State
177.  Arizona--Justin Bethel, S Presbyterian
178.  Buffalo--Mark Asper, T Oregon
179.  New Orleans--Andrew Tiller, G Syracuse
180.  San Francisco--Trenton Washington, S Michigan State
181.  Seattle--Winston Guy, S Kentucky
182.  Kansas City--Cyrus Gray, RB Texas A&M
183.  Miami--B.J. Cunningham, WR Michigan State
184.  Chicago--Isaiah Frey, CB Nevada
185.  Arizona--Ryan Lindley, QB San Diego State
186.  Dallas--James Hannah, TE Oklahoma
187.  New York Jets--Josh Bush, S Wake Forest
188.  Denver--Danny Trevathan, OLB Kentucky
189.  Oakland--Christo Bilukidi, DT Georgia State
190.  Tennessee--Markelle Martin, S Oklahoma State
191.  Cincinnati--Daniel Herron, RB Ohio State
192.  Atlanta--Charles Mitchell, S Mississippi State
193.  Washington--Thomas Compton, T South Dakota
194.  Philadelphia--Marvin McNutt, WR Iowa
195.  Houston--Nick Mondek, T Purdue
196.  Detroit--Jonte Green, CB New Mexico State
197.  New England--Nate Ebner, CB Ohio State
198.  Baltimore--Tommy Streeter, WR Miami of Florida
199.  San Francisco--Jason Slowey, G Western Oregon
200.  Philadelphia--Brandon Washington, G Miami of Florida
201.  New York Giants--Matt McCants, T Alabama-Birmingham
202.  New York Jets--Terrance Ganaway, RB Baylor
203.  New York Jets--Robert Griffin, G Baylor
204.  Cleveland--Emmanuel Acho, ILB Texas
205.  Cleveland--Billy Winn, DT Boise State
206.  Indianapolis--LaVon Brazill, WR Ohio
207.  Carolina--Brad Nortman, P Wisconsin


Round Seven:
208.  Indianapolis--Justin Anderson, T Georgia
209.  St. Louis--Aaron Brown, Hawai'i
210.  Minnesota--Audie Cole, ILB North Carolina State
211.  Tennessee--Scott Solomon, DE Rice
212.  Tampa Bay--Michael Smith, RB Utah State
213.  Washington--Richard Crawford, CB SMU
214.  Indianapolis--Tim Fugger, OLB Vanderbilt
215.  Miami--Kheeston Randall, DT Texas
216.  Carolina--D.J. Campbell, S California
217.  Washington--Jordan Bernstine, S Iowa
218.  Kansas City--Jerome Long, DE San Diego State
219.  Minnesota--Trevor Guyton, DE California
220.  Chicago--Greg McCoy, CB TCU
221.  Arizona--Nate Potter, T Boise State
222.  Dallas--Caleb McSurdy, ILB Montana
223.  Detroit--Travis Lewis, OLB Oklahoma
224.  New England--Alonzo Dennard, CB Nebraska
225.  Seattle--J.R. Sweezy, DT North Carolina State
226.  San Diego--David Molk, C Michigan
227.  Miami--Richard Matthews, WR Nevada
228.  Carolina--Jeris Pendleton, DT Ashton
229.  Philadelphia--Bryce Brown, RB Kansas State
230.  Oakland--Nathan Stupar, OLB Penn State
231.  Pittsburgh--Toney Clemons, WR Colorado
232.  Seattle--Greg Scruggs, DE Louisville
233.  Tampa Bay--Drake Dunsmore, TE Northwestern
234.  New Orleans--Marcel Jones, T Nebraska
235.  New England--Jeremy Ebert, WR Northwestern
236.  Baltimore--DeAngelo Tyson, DT Georgia
237.  San Francisco--Cameron Johnson, DE Virginia
238.  Kansas City--Junior Hemingway, WR Michigan
239.  New York Giants--Markus Kuhn, DT North Carolina State
240.  Pittsburgh--David Paulson, TE Oregon
241.  Green Bay--Andrew Datko, T Florida State
242.  New York Jets--Antonio Allen, S South Carolina
243.  Green Bay--B.J. Coleman, Tennessee-Chattanooga
244.  New York Jets--Jordan White, WR Western Michigan
245.  Cleveland--Trevin Wade, CB Arizona
246.  Pittsburgh--Terrence Frederick, CB Texas A&M
247.  Cleveland--Brad Smelley, TE Alabama
248.  Pittsburgh--Kelvin Beachum, G SMU
249.  Atlanta--Travian Robertson, DT South Carolina
250.  San Diego--Edwin Baker, RB Michigan State
251.  Buffalo--John Potter, Western Michigan
252.  St. Louis--Daryl Richardson, RB Abilene Christian
253.  Indianapolis--Chandler Harnish, QB Northern Illinois

NFL Selections by College So Far, 2012

Three Broncos will join the NFL this season thus far.  Here is the list of draft choices by school through three rounds:


1.  Alabama 5
2.  Illinois 4
2.  LSU 4
2.  Stanford 4
5.  Wisconsin 3
5.  Boise State 3
5.  California 3
5.  Cincinnati 3
5.  Oklahoma 3
5.  South Carolina 3
11.  Baylor 2
11.  Clemson 2
11.  Miami of Florida 2
11.  North Carolina 2
11.  Notre Dame 2
11.  Ohio State 2
11.  Oklahoma State 2
11.  USC 2
11.  Virginia Tech 2

Tyrone Crawford is a Cowboy!

Defensive end Tyrone Crawford, one of the best JC recruits Boise State has ever had, was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys.  


Congrats to Tyrone, who should excel in Dallas!

According to SI...

George Iloka and Tyrone Crawford are both in the Top 15 for Best Available.  This as we get ready to finish Round Two...

NFL Draft Day Two

We'll have all the picks live as well as news if Boise State players are selected.  Refresh for updates and you will find the most current picks in this post.  Teams have five minutes to make their choices but some are quicker than others.


Second Round:
33.  St. Louis--Brian Quick, WR Appalachian State
34.  Indianapolis--Coby Fleener, TE Stanford
35.  Baltimore--Courtney Upshaw, DE Alabama
36.  Denver--Derek Wolfe, DT Cincinnati
37.  Cleveland--Mitchell Schwartz, T California
38.  Jacksonville--Andre Branch, OLB Clemson
39.  St. Louis--Janoris Jenkins, CB North Alabama
40.  Carolina--Amini Silatolu, G Midwestern State
41.  Buffalo--Cordy Glenn, G Georgia
42.  Miami--Jonathan Martin, T Stanford
43.  New York Jets--Stephen Hill, WR Georgia Tech
44.  Kansas City--Jeff Allen, G Illinois
45.  Chicago--Alshon Jeffery, WR South Carolina
46.  Philadelphia--Mychal Kendricks, OLB California
47.  Seattle--Bobby Wagner, OLB Utah State
48.  New England--Tavon Wilson, S Illinois
49.  San Diego--Kendall Reyes, DT Connecticut
50.  St. Louis--Isiaiah Pead, RB Cincinnati
51.  Green Bay--Jerel Worthy, DT Michigan State
52.  Tennessee--Zach Brown, OLB North Carolina
53.  Cincinnati--Devon Still, T Penn State
54.  Detroit--Ryan Broyles, WR Oklahoma
55.  Atlanta--Peter Konz, C Wisconsin
56.  Pittsburgh--Mike Adams, T Ohio State
57.  Denver--Brock Osweiler, QB Arizona State 
58.  Tampa Bay--Lavonte David, LB Nebraska
59.  Philadelphia--Vinny Curry, DE Marshall
60.  Baltimore--Kelechi Osemele, G Iowa State
61.  San Francisco--LaMichael James, RB Oregon
62.  Green Bay--Casey Hayward, CB Vanderbilt
63.  New York Giants--Reuben Randle, WR LSU


Third Round:
64.  Indianapolis--Dwayne Allen, TE Clemson
65.  St. Louis--Trumaine Johnson, CB Montana
66.  Minnesota--Josh Robinson, CB Central Florida
67.  Denver--Ronnie Hillman, RB San Diego State
68.  Houston--DeVier Posey, WR Ohio State
69.  Buffalo--T.J. Graham, WR North Carolina State
70.  Jacksonville--Bryan Anger, P California
71.  Washington--Josh LeRibeus, G SMU
72.  Miami--Olivier Vernon, DE Miami of Florida
73.  San Diego--Brandon Taylor, S LSU
74.  Kansas City--Donald Stephenson, T Oklahoma
75.  Seattle--Russell Wilson, QB Wisconsin
76.  Houston--Brandon Brooks, G Miami of Ohio
77.  New York Jets--Demario Davis, OLB Arkansas State
78.  Miami--Michael Egnew, TE Missouri
79.  Chicago--Brandon Hardin, S Oregon State
80.  Arizona--Jamell Fleming, CB Oklahoma
81.  Dallas--Tyrone Crawford, DE Boise State
82.  Tennessee--Mike Martin, DT Michigan
83.  Cincinnati--Mohamed Sanu, WR Rutgers
84.  Baltimore--Bernard Pierce, RB Temple
85.  Detroit--Dwight Bentley, CB Louisiana-Lafayette
86.  Pittsburgh--Sean Spence, OLB Miami of Florida
87.  Cleveland--John Hughes, DT Cincinnati
88.  Philadelphia--Nick Foles, QB Arizona
89.  New Orleans--Akiem Hicks, DT Regina
90.  New England--Jake Bequette, DT Arkansas
91.  Atlanta--Lamar Holmes, T Southern Mississippi
92.  Indianapolis--T.Y. Hilton, Wr Florida International
93.  Cincinnati--Brandon Thompson, DT Clemson
94.  New York Giants--Jayron Hosley, CB Virginia Tech
95.  Oakland--Tony Bergstrom, G Utah

Two Boise State Broncos Selected in First Round of 2012 NFL Draft

We are witnessing history, ladies and gentlemen.  For the first time, two Broncos have been chosen in the first round in the same year.  Shea McClellin was selected by Chicago with the 19th pick and Doug Martin was chosen by Tampa Bay with the 31st pick.

Doug Martin Drafted in 1st Round by Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay traded up in the first round so they could choose running back Doug Martin from Boise State.  Incredible job Doug!  More details soon!

Shea McClellin 19th Pick in NFL Draft

Boise State defensive end Shea McClellin, who many though would play linebacker at the next level, has been chosen 19th in the 2012 NFL Draft, a selection of the Chicago Bears.  The Bears expect to place McClellin on the line in a 4-3 scheme.  McClellin is the second-highest Boise State selection in the history of the NFL Draft, with only Ryan Clady (12th player chosen in 2007) ahead of him.  More details coming!

Congrats to Shea, a Marsing High School grad turned pro!

Boise State Gets in AQ Conference, BCS Does Away with AQ's

A mere months after Boise State was announced as being accepted into an AQ conference, the BCS is doing away with AQ conferences and most likely, the chance for Boise State to play in one of the major bowls.  And the BCS will not include eight teams in a playoff, which would put Boise State in the mix for a national title.  Nope, it's only a four-team playoff and you can bet that knowing that, the voters or selection committee or whomever ultimately decides the four teams will be doing their best to keep Boise State out.  


They are flat out paranoid of the Broncos.

NFL Draft

Refresh for updates...


1.  Indianapolis--Andrew Luck, QB Stanford
2.  Washington--Robert Griffin III, QB Baylor
3.  Cleveland--Trent Richardson, RB Alabama
4.  Minnesota--Matt Kalil, T USC
5.  Carolina--Justin Blackmon, WR Oklahoma State
6.  Dallas--Morris Claiborne, CB LSU
7.  Tampa Bay--Mark Barron, S Alabama
8.  Miami--Ryan Tannehill, QB Texas A&M
9.  Jacksonville--Luke Kuechly, ILB Boston College
10.  Buffalo--Stephon Gilmore, CB South Carolina
11.  Kansas City--Dontari Poe, DT Memphis
12.  Philadelphia--Fletcher Cox, DT Mississippi State
13.  Arizona--Michael Floyd, WR Notre Dame
14.  St. Louis--Michael Brockers, DT LSU
15.  Seattle--Bruce Irvin, OLB West Virginia
16.  New York Jets--Quinton Coples, DE North Carolina
17.  Cincinnati--Dre Kirkpatrick, CB Alabama
18.  San Diego--Melvin Ingram, OLB South Carolina
19.  Chicago--Shea McClellin, OLB Boise State
20.  Tennessee--Kendall Wright, WR Baylor
21.  New England--Chandler Jones, DE Tennessee
22.  Cleveland--Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma State
23.  Detroit--Riley Reiff, T Iowa
24.  Pittsburgh--David DeCastro, G Stanford
25.  New England--Don'ta Hightower, ILB Alabama
26.  Houston--Whitney Mercilus, OLB, Illinois
27.  Cincinnati--Kevin Zeitler, G Wisconsin
28.  Green Bay--Nick Perry, OLB USC
29.  Minnesota--Harrison Smith, DB Notre Dame
30.  San Francisco--A.J. Jenkins, WR Illinois
31.  Tampa Bay--Doug Martin, RB Boise State
32.  New York Giants--David Wilson, RB Virginia Tech

Tomorrow is the Big Day

The NFL Draft starts tomorrow.  Boise State players have, with few exceptions, been ignored in recent years.  But beginning in 2006, that began to change.  "Mock Drafts" have several Boise State players very high.  Will it be true, or once again will the NFL be clueless?

Boise State & Michigan State to Kickoff 2012 Season on ESPN

Boise State and Michigan State, two teams that will feature new quarterbacks this fall, will meet in Lansing, Michigan August 31.  The game will be televised on ESPN at 6 p.m. Mountain Time.

General Observations About 2012 Spring Game

Over 17,000 at Bronco Stadium.  Amazing turnout and support for a glorified scrimmage.


You can't tell from one scrimmage with a lot of vanilla plays, but as spring games go, that's the best I've seen Boise State look in a long time.  Shows how much the experts know.  The thing about gauging a team by how many "starters" it loses is that way of looking at things through tunnel vision doesn't consider how Boise State does things or builds its program.  They platoon at every position except quarterback so most of the guys you will see starting have seen plenty of experience, and not just in mopup action.  They played against Georgia, TCU, Arizona State, etc. This team will be beyond fine.


The QB battle is something everyone wants to talk about so I'll contribute.  Pretty much everyone agrees that Nick Patti either starts or redshirts, and right now, it really looks like it's him and Southwick.  Patti was great and moving around in the pocket, stepping up, and making the throw.  His touchdown pass against pressure was superb.  The kid showed a lot of character on the final play of the game when he sprinted out to be the first one on the field to congratulate Joe on his super throw to win the game.  He's going to be another Bronco we can all be very proud of for the way he conducts himself.  These coaches keep getting great human beings.


I felt Southwick took a big step last year, in his leadership, in his confidence, and that continued to show tonight.  He took what the defense gave him, and that is the sign of a patient, confident quarterback.  Southwick-Patti, Patti-Southwick, it's far too early to tell and Bronco fans want to be careful to choose a leader based on two hours of windy conditions, because the coaches have seen them all spring and have far more to go on.  I'll also say that Boise State has four very good quarterbacks that frankly, I'm confident and will rally behind any one of them.  You'd have to examine a lot of college football teams to find four quarterbacks that good on any one team.


Tough to choose a guy, because it's like choosing among your sons--you want them all to do well. I trust Pete.  The guy he picks will do an awesome job and I am 100% confident in that.


The defensive line is full of monsters.  Anyone who said losing five guys to graduation, three of them to the NFL, is going to cripple the Broncos...that person was sadly mistaken.  First off, you have 600 pounds of muscle in the middle with Ricky TAT and Bacon.  You don't get through that.  The guys out there with the 1's were Beau Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence.  They are both quick and relentless off the end.  Samuel Ukwauchu and Jeff Worthy also did themselves proud.  I knew both would get plenty of time this year and early indications are that I was right.  The Bronco d-line will be a force this year.  They may or may not be better than last year's line, but there's no drop-off, that's for sure.


Blake Renaud has the size (242 pounds) that Boise State has not had at linebacker.  Plus, he's mobile and active, with a nose for the ball.  Korey Hall comparisons, anyone?  Great pick by Blake tonight.  With J.C. Percy and Tommy Smith, the linebacker positions are solid.


The secondary was crippled against TCU and it hurt.  But the guys who saw playing time with the injuries to Jamar Taylor and Jerrell Gavins will only be better because of it.  Put those guys back at corner, add in Lee Hightower, who seems to get better every time I see him, and Jeremy Ioane, who now has the maturity to be a playmaker at safety, and, dare I say it, this Bronco secondary could be one of the best in the nation.  Yep, that's what I dare say.


Back to the offense.  Cory Yriarte and Joe Kellogg both did not play, and you have to figure they will be strong contenders to start.  But Matt Paradis, Charles Leno, Faraji Wright, Michael Ames and Spencer Gerke as the starters did very well.  Add in Brenel Myers and that gives Boise State eight solid guys.  They are the key to make the running game go and to make the going easier for whomever wins the job at quarterback.


And that job will certainly be easier with the bevy of talent at receiver.  The tight end position might be as deep as Boise State has ever had, with the tough as nails Gabe Linehan, Chandler Koch, Hayden Plinke, and the guy I think will really be a breakout player--Holden Huff.  But then you have last year's freshman All-America receiver, Matt Miller, Geraldo Boldewijn, who began to show what great things he can do (I think he can be every bit as good as Miller), Kirby Moore, Chris Potter, Mitch and Dallas Burroughs, and on and on.  These receivers are going to be great and how lucky is the new quarterback to have such a great crew?


So those are my initial impressions, and I'll expand upon them in the days and weeks to come.  What is Michigan State going to think when they ponder the possibility that the 2012 Boise State team might be better than 2011?  

Bet they didn't count on that.  

Every Big-Name Team Refuses to Play at Boise State

When you hear one AD say that no one wants to schedule your team, if you don't know him, you chalk it up to the individual.  "Boise State's trying to schedule cupcakes," you hear them say.  I knew Gene Bleymaier and know first-hand that he's not going to say something if it isn't true.


But now Mark Coyle has replaced Bleymaier at AD and guess what?  We get the same answer out of Coyle, a veteran of the SEC wars, that we did out of Bleymaier.  Now, you see, it isn't one individual saying that, but his replacement as well.


Boise State got a 13th game because they travel to Hawai'i next year, and needed a home game to balance out the schedule.  Not one big-name team dared travel to the feared Blue Turf to play the Broncos.  "We tried everybody," Coyle said.


I've said this before, but no team with the same record as Boise State should be ranked higher than the Broncos because they refuse to play them.  If you chicken out of a game, you can't then come back and say that Boise State plays a weak schedule.  They play a "weak schedule" because each of the Top 10 teams, whom Boise State wants to play each year, will not play them.  

Replacing NFL Talent on the Defensive Front

Four members of the defensive line have been singled out as having outstanding springs:  Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Michael Atkinson, Kharyee Marshall and Samuel Ukwauchu.


That's all you need for a starting unit, but Boise State has become known for incredible depth, with three of its starting unit last year expected to be drafted by the NFL.  So obviously, more members have to step forward for the Broncos to have the kind of season they want to have.  Here's a review of the competition for the four spots.


Defensive End:

Marshall's quickness (#41) allows him to elude his man and make a beeline for the quarterback.  Marshall (6-1, 228, Jr.) would likely be a matchup problem for most bigger linemen.  Ukwauchu (6-5, 215) is a guy that the Broncos were thrilled to sign last year and are eager to see what he can do.


In addition to the two mentioned above, Tyler Horn (6-4, 253, So.), Nick Alexander (6-4, 243, Jr.), Beau Martin (6-2, 253, So.), Demarcus Lawrence (6-4, 248, So.) and Robert Ash (6-3, 259, Fr.) are expected to push for playing time.  The two starters are anyone's guess at this point--there's too much inexperience and too long to go before the fall to know for sure which two will emerge, although the fact that Horn played as a freshman while Ukwauchu redshirted is a significant bit of information.  Darien Barrett (6-3, 215) and Sam McCaskill (6-3, 230) will also look to make contributions.


Justin Jungblut (6-4, 273, Jr.) and Rory Connop (6-4, 265, Jr.)  will also be factors at either tackle or end.  David Cushing (6-0, 263, Sr.) and Elliot Hoyte (6-4, 275, Fr.) add depth.


Defensive Tackle:

Atkinson (6-0, 312, Sr.), nicknamed "Bacon" by Bronco fans, has had his share of off-the-field problems, and Coach Chris Petersen and his staff want to find out if he has matured.  If so, he could be the man in the middle, the big immovable body at tackle, the fly in the ointment of offensive coordinators this year.  Plus, Bronco fans are still waiting for his first carry near the goal line!  

Tjong-A-Tjoe (6-3, 303, Jr.) was highly recruited out of Boise High School, with Boise State getting him over the University of Washington, among others.  It's never good to speculate, but if these two were to win jobs at tackle, there would be 600 pounds of muscle that would have to be moved for a running back to gain any positive yardage.  


Greg Grimes (6-0, 268) has plenty of ability as well, and he and Darren Koontz (6-3, 280) both enter their senior season aiming to go out on a high note.  Jeffrey Worthy (6-4, 289), a beast that signed with Boise State over UCLA, is going to make an impact and I believe it will be soon.  He could be one of the best defensive linemen Boise State has ever had.


When a team loses five seniors at any position, there is concern.  Talent and potential mean nothing without attitude and effort.  Yes, the ability and potential are there for another good group.  But only the coaches know how hungry this group of defensive linemen is.  Those coaches are going to be look at dedication above and beyond, good study habits in school, and good off-the-field behavior.  


The coaches will turn loose of them after Spring Ball, but they sure will want to find them in great shape for fall practice, eager to prove their mettle and halt questions about how much Boise State is going to miss Tyrone Crawford, Billy Winn, Shea McClellin and Chase Baker.


It's up to this group to prove themselves.

Chris Carr Signs with Minnesota

Carr, who was cut by the Ravens after being limited in 2011 because of a back injury, will compete with Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook for playing time in the Viking secondary.

Coach Pete's Press Conference

Coach Chris Petersen of Boise State held a press conference Friday and, while he always keeps things close to the vest, there were two pretty revealing bits of information.

First, Pete indicated that Joe Southwick, because of his experience, is pretty much the front-runner at quarterback. He also said that Patti has done a great job learning the complex offense. As Bronco fans know, once a QB masters the complexity of the offense, his natural ability shows through. In the past, Petersen has said things like "He's learning," or "He's still young" to describe freshman prospects. The fact that he indicated Patti has done very well reveals that he is very much in the mix for the starting job.

One thing's for sure--Patti will not be the #2, that would be a waste of a year. Patti will either start or redshirt. And another thing seemed pretty clear--Southwick has to get better to beat out Patti, as the freshman, now that he has learned the offense, has five months to show what he can do.

The second piece of information is that he said Mike Atkinson has looked the best he has ever looked, and Sam Ukwauchu and Demarcus Lawrence, two prospects Boise State fans have high hopes for, have also stood out in practice. Along with Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, that would give Boise State four outstanding defensive linemen. That was the one area in which the team had to have people step up at, and it appears they have. 

Petersen also confirmed what Blue Football Through and Through said in the first few days of Spring Ball--that Kirby Moore is having an outstanding spring.

Now if Boise State could get a kicker...