Boise State recruiting 2011: What should the Broncos' next recruiting class look like?
by Kevan Lee on Feb 5, 2010 7:58 AM PST
in Recruiting
50 comments
We are a full two days removed from 2010's National Signing Day. That means it must be time to look ahead to 2011.
After the jump, take a look at a couple names on Boise State's radar and discuss what positions the Broncos may need the most help with. What position are you hoping to see in the 2011 class? Let me know in the comments.
Boise State's list of 2011 offers and interest
Being proactive never hurt anyone, except maybe in the case of Lane Kiffin recruiting a 13-year-old.
According to Scout.com, Boise State has already laid some groundwork for its 2011 class by offering two four-star skill players out of the state of Washington. Here are their details:
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Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Position: Tight End Measurables: 6'7", 245 pounds School: Gig Harbor HS (Washington) Rankings: Notes: A jumbo athlete, Seferian-Jenkins could play any number of positions on the college level from tight end to offensive or defensive line. |
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Kasen Williams
Position: Wide Receiver Measurables: 6'2", 195 pounds, 4.6 40 School: Skyline HS (Washington) Rankings: Notes: Son of former Washington Husky WR Aaron Williams. |
Sefeian-Jenkins and Williams have offers and interest from a great number of BCS schools, and it is way too early in the process to even begin to wonder where they're headed. Or is it? Lane Kiffin would think these guys are behind their prime at this point.
Scout.com lists several other players who have earned attention from the Broncos. While no offers have been made to any of these, some of the names could show up again in the 2011 Bronco class.
- WR Devon Blackmon
- TE Charlie Hopkins
- CB Brian Clay
- MLB Cody McCarthy (Bishop Kelly HS, Idaho)
- MLB Adam Pulsipher
- DT Chris Jones
- DE Robert Kugler (son of former O-line coach Sean Kugler)
- QB Cody Kessler
- DE Taniela Tupou
- RB Haran Piggee
- QB Earnest Carrington
- QB Austin Kent
- QB Joe Portaro
- QB Steve Wilson
- RB Kendall Brock
- RB Seth Davis
- RB Julius White
- WR Dallas Burroughs (Rocky Mountain HS, Idaho)
- WR Kramer Ferrell
- WR Jajuan Hammond
- WR Cameron McKernan
- OT Jim Bagley (Rocky Mountain HS, Idaho)
- OT Matthew Devereux
- OG Jordan Rigsbee
- C Garrett Williams
- DE Robert Ash
- DE Zachary Wood
- OLB Logan Mayes
- OLB Dennis Taylor
- MLB Jordan Trompke (Rocky Mountain HS, Idaho)
- S Willie White
- CB Michael Ford
- CB Ellis Henderson
Note: The recruiting map will return this offseason, so let me know your zip code if you missed out last year.
Areas of need for the Broncos with the 2011 recruiting class
Boise State was blessed this offseason by only losing one starter out of the Fiesta Bowl lineup. After 2010, holes will start to open up with much greater frequency.
The following is a position-by-position look at the Bronco roster. Classes are as of 2010.
- Quarterback: 5 total, 1 senior, 1 junior
- Running back: 7 total, 2 seniors, 1 junior (DJ Harper is listed as a senior but hopefully his redshirt will go through and he'll have two years of eligibility left)
- Fullback: 4 total, 0 seniors, 1 junior
- Tight end: 8 total, 2 seniors, 1 junior
- Wide Receiver: 12 total, 2 seniors, 1 junior
- Offensive line: 16 total, 3 seniors, 5 juniors
- Defensive line: 18 total, 1 senior, 8 juniors
- Linebacker: 14 total, 2 seniors, 4 juniors
- Cornerback: 9 total, 2 seniors, 2 juniors
- Safety (including nickelbacker): 8 total, 3 seniors, 1 junior
- Kickers: 4 total, 2 seniors, 0 juniors
(Note: Boise State did not have any offensive linemen or running backs in its 2010 class.)
From Ellis Powers to Winston Venable to ...
Venable is gone after this season along with his primary backup, Jason Robinson. Doug Martin learned nickelback over the offseason, but I think that his tour de force performance at running back should keep him on offense. The 2010 recruiting class did not yield an obvious replacement for Venable. So where does that leave the Broncos for 2011?
(Note: I have a couple theories on this. The first involves a JC transfer coming and playing right away like Venable did last year. The second involves new DC Pete Kwiatkowski getting rid of the nickelbacker position. I like my first theory better.)
Offensive linemen do not grow on trees, and thankfully so because those would be some weird-looking trees
Boise State skipped out on offensive linemen in the 2010 recruiting class, and that will not happen in 2011. Though there is a lot of young talent along the Broncos' offensive line, the next two years will take away half of the current roster of linemen, including every player who started Boise State's season finale against NMSU.
One position to watch is center where Thomas Byrd will be gone after the 2011 season. There is no other true center listed on the roster; sophomore OG Bronson Durrant spent last season listed as Byrd's backup. Is center a position that the Bronco coaches can teach? That may be the case.
The topic of offensive line recruiting is deep on many levels. Why is it harder for Boise State to pull in offensive line prospects that are as highly-touted as the skill players that come to Boise? How much of an offensive lineman's success is predicated on high school talent and how much is on college weight training and maturation? I'd be curious to know what you all think.
Is Jimmy Pavel the answer at placekicker?
If Bronco coaches don't think so, then I imagine they will want to find someone in the next recruiting class.
What to expect in the 2011 class
There will be 20 seniors on the Broncos' roster this season (not including DJ Harper), so Boise State will have a standard-sized recruiting class in 2011. Maybe then Scout.com will rank Boise State higher than 96th.
These things we know:
- Boise State will get a quarterback. Coach Pete wants a QB in every class except for the years when Nick Lomax transfers. Nick Lomax will not be transferring in 2011. Might the Broncos be onto Cody Kessler?
- Boise State will get a running back. Since the Broncos skipped out on the position in 2010, the need will be there to find an eventual backup to future Bronco star Malcolm Johnson.
These things I'd like to see:
- More JC transfers. Last year Winston Venable stepped in and was one of Boise State's most valuable defenders. Jerrell Gavins joined the team late and was a starter in the Fiesta Bowl. Seven months from now, I may be talking about 2010 JC transfer Tyrone Crawford in the same breath as Dave Wilcox. More JC transfers, please!
- Offensive linemen. I love it when the Broncos recruit on the O-line, and I am anxious to see what kind of O-line player they will be able to get now that the team is in annual NC discussions.
- Hawaii players. Here's hoping that the Jeremy Ioane commitment will open the door for more players from the islands to come to Boise.
Your turn
What position would you like to see the Broncos target in 2011? What will be the team's biggest area of need? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Linemen in general: just natural limit on appropriate body types
Plenty of guys 5’ 8’’ through 6’ 2’’, 180 to 220 frames and can play everywhere ’cept line(ok a little light for LB but you get the point). Mother nature only makes so many big dudes; only so many are telanted; only so many are motivated; only so many can keep from self-destructive behavior; only so many can balance Div I demands with academics.
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 8:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
So I say when in doubt, get a lineman.
And if you’re in doubt as to whether to get D-line or O-line, I go D-line for college(O for pros) but its close call. You’re very right about juco, and in general there will be more juco skill guys who can play(simple numbers game again).
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 8:24 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Kasen Williams
I want to go there
However, I will not get my hopes up…yet
by Nick Kroes on Feb 5, 2010 8:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Ware isn't a junior; we jsut signed him(roster a little off)
I’m no expert but safety still looks a little thin even with the great recruit from hawaii.
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 8:29 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
JC transfers KL? I usually equate that with weakness not strength.
i assume you want guys to grey/redshirt with the program. Juco’s come in with reduced elgibility. that said the occassional couple or so is OK.
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 8:31 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Crawford doesnt count as a juco IMO
We recruited hi m and he had to get his academics straightened out.
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 8:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
After watching the video
I think that Ioane would be a terrific fit in that nickelbacker position. Say he learns that position this coming year, then after Venable is gone, he steps in.
Works for me.
I have attended every home Boise State football game since 1992.
by JasonHaberman on Feb 5, 2010 8:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I can buy that
He is not as big as Powers or Venable, which might be the only problem. His video showed a lot of him lining up in the box and spying on the QB, and Venable did a lot of that this year. Wouldn’t it be nice to have Ioane at nickelbacker for four years?
Works for me, too.
"Islanders fan, huh? Team of the future, I'd say." - Roger Johnson
by Kevan Lee on Feb 5, 2010 8:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
how about back up qb?
he seemed to be able to chuck the ball. and he’d be great for the wild"bronco".
(i’m being facetious…. kinda…).
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wild "Avery"
Anyone can play that position, and I don’t like naming our mascot after it like everyone else does.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
by Loque on Feb 5, 2010 11:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i don't really like the scheme itself
but i suppose having the extra blocker is nice.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 11:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree...he would make a great nickelbacker
The way he pursues the ball in that highlight video reminds me of Quintin Mikell, except that he hits like Jeron Johnson.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
by MKingery on Feb 5, 2010 9:15 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts exactly
You stole my thunder…guess that’s what I get for being slow in getting on here. But that was my thought exactly when I watched his highlight video. He covers so much ground and looks like he loves to hit. Sounds like a good nicklebacker to me, but he could also be the second coming of Jeron Johnson too
"All we can do is win the games on our schedule" - Coach Pete
by givemesomemoore on Feb 5, 2010 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The second involves new DC Pete Kwiatkowski getting rid of the nickelbacker position.
I’m saying it’s pretty much a given this position won’t go away. It’s the perfect answer to spread n’ run QBs
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
by Loque on Feb 6, 2010 7:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
what is it with trying to get a qb every year?
this is a genuine question.
if bsu continues to recruit (and somehow land) the “[insert random state here] player of the year” qb, what are the intentions? it would seem that it would be a waste of talent to have that many “players of the year” on the team when they’re just going to ride the pine. sure, have it open when the reigning starter leaves, but if another redshirt frosh lands the starter again, there’s (possibly) a four year commitment right there and the other dudes are hosed.
i know that having backups will always be needed, but why go all out when all you need is someone capable of handing off the ball to [random running back] or occasionally throwing a pick in garbage time?
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 9:08 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
A team can never have too much talent...and BSU is approaching the depth of most elite BCS teams.
To this point BSU has been pretty lucky and they haven’t had to deal with many injuries at QB and that they have had young guys ready to go in their freshman or sophomore year. I would rather have that talent “wasted” on the BSU bench, throwing a pick in garbage time than throwing 4 TDs for Fresno State. Plus talented backups make our defense better in practice.
Also, guys transfer or don’t pan out. The reason there is not a junior QB right now is because Lomax transferred. But Lomax wasn’t even the premier QB of that signing day. Kyle Seevers was the heralded QB that picked BSU over Nebraska. He got injured before he enrolled in school and never played.
Part of me agrees with what you are saying – and eventually we will lose talented recruits who will see an opportunity for more playing time elsewhere. In the end, it is still better to have five quality guys on the roster.
If a young Southwick or Hedrick were the backup to Zabransky when he struggled in 2005 how long would this coaching staff have waited before naming a new starter?
What if Wilcox would have been wrong about Kellen? We would have watched one year of the Bush Hamdan era and then three years of Coughlin throwing jump passes in the red zone.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
by MKingery on Feb 5, 2010 9:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
that's a good point about
having them ride the pine at bsu than throwing tds for frenso. hadn’t thought about it like that.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 9:53 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
add a QB every year
The program needs to have at least 4 QBs. Each has a role. The fourth stringer runs the scout team, and the second and third stringers chart plays, signal in plays to the starter, etc. I saw a breakdown of the roles in the Statesman at some point——the roles are more structured than one would think.
I also think that finding elite quarterbacks is pretty tough. Lot’s of teams go years without finding the next star. We have been lucky to string together Hendricks-Dindiddie-Moore, but remember that only two years ago, the best QB was Taylor Tharp. Last year would have been different if Hamdan had started.
I love to get excited about new recruits too, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Sanford/Hamdan/Naanee/Coughlin etc were exciting recruits that were not ready to be ‘guy.’ Adding the best recruit each year increases the odds of finding the ‘golden ticket’ quarterback, and adds depth to the injury bug.
We should also recognize that we are fortunate to have such solid QBs. Watch Nevada and Fresno in the fourth quarter for the past 10 years. They would kill to have the guys we have.
by ElPepeGrande on Feb 5, 2010 10:08 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
CB position?
Other than Gavins, who do we have coming up? And will he be a safty or a corner next year? He may also be a consideration at nickel.
by ruffneck on Feb 5, 2010 9:10 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Jamar Taylor looked good before injury; Lambert may be
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 9:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I think BSU needs
to get defensive lineman. In 2 years we lose most if not all the rotation at d-line. If Crawford plays this year we lose him as well. JC’s are nice, but we only get em for a couple years, its not a long term solution. The Juco’s are kind of a tease, we realize they’re great and ‘poof’ before we realize it they’re gone. Example, Venable.
by buttersthebulldozer on Feb 5, 2010 9:20 AM PST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
misspelling on purpose?
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 9:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No too lazy to look up correct spelling
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 10:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
all i know is the pronunciation is
chong-a-chew.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 10:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It seems we have a stable of possession receivers...
…but after Titus is gone, who will stretch the field? Potter is fast but his size might limit him on some deep balls. If Burks shows more speed, he could be quite a weapon at 6’4".
I would like to see them add another burner to the receiving corps. I like the 4.41 40 time for Davon Blackmon. (I don’t like the UCLA/USC in his list of schools)
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
by MKingery on Feb 5, 2010 9:26 AM PST reply actions 2 recs
Good point-speed at wr premium
we seem to have a lot of tall guys but no burners. Burks is not a burner but he is effective. Potter is fast and I think he will show his potential this year.
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 10:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
completely agree
Speed on the edge is a key area of improvement. Even next year, we need more speed. Titus’s WR screens would be more effective if someone is were able to run the safeties down the field. You can tell that TCU figured this out. Thier safeties got closer to the line of scrimmage each quarter.
The other area of WR improvement?? Blocking. Too many receivers missed blocks.
by ElPepeGrande on Feb 5, 2010 10:12 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You'd think we'd be able to recruit a burner on the basis that there are guys ahead but your speed will get you on the field
tvmunson
by tmunson on Feb 5, 2010 10:18 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
We are sending the same letters to Santa
I would love to see the effect that a 4.3 guy would have on defenses. I remember a few times during the Dinwiddie era that DBs would turn and retreat on the snap of the ball—it is better than getting beat deep.
With the sub 4.4 guys that we have in the backfield, maybe we will see some running backs line up at WR to increase the deep threat.
by ElPepeGrande on Feb 5, 2010 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Personally...
I’d like to see us take a run at Bishop Kelly LB Cody McCarthy. Kid has really torn up the summer camp circuit and is a hometown kid with a lot of talent. Hard worker on the field and in the weight room.
Of course, linebackers seem to be going extinct at Boise State and we already have some good ones in line, so don’t know if that will be considered a “need”
by Drew Roberts on Feb 5, 2010 9:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
the author managed to misspell Petersen's name several times.
i can’t seem to look past that error whenever i see an article about him. more accurately, i should say that i look for that error. tells me how much attention is being paid to accuracy.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 10:34 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Small town paper
What, you’re challenging the journalistic integrity of the weekly Elk Grove Citizen?
I find it funny that the coach’s quotes in the story are from an email, not an actual conversation with the reporter. How busy must these two be that they can’t even arrange a phone call? Maybe this was a press release from the school or a Facebook posting used by the reporter for the story – then again, perhaps I’m making too much of it.
by SactoBronco on Feb 5, 2010 1:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
i think you're making too much of it.
i don’t really care that this person misspell his name (it’s not me he/she is writing about). i just like finding erroneous errors in professional writings. makes me feel better about myself. seriously.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 3:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
*misspelled/mispelled?!?!
and this is one of the reasons why i don’t critize people on message boards, etc. i suck at proofreading my own stuff.
Dr. William Block: You gotta lose the arm, Joe.
Joe: Lose the arm? What do you mean, lose the arm? My arm?
by Grindhouse on Feb 5, 2010 3:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Recruiting map.
Please, please, please tell me you have some prospects in MT, WY, or Eastern ID. Maybe I can influence a St. Anthony boy to not go to Oregon the next time around.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
by Loque on Feb 5, 2010 11:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
They tend to go south to Utah
Because of geographic proximity and LDS Church ties, most of the DI players in eastern Idaho end up going to Utah, BYU, and even Utah State (although it seems Oregon and WSU have picked up a few lately). I hope that starts to change – case in point, JC Percy, a walk-on from Blackfoot. Trying to remember the last in-state scholarship player east of Glenns Ferry to start or see significant time on the field for the Broncos. Maybe Shay Swan, FB, from Jerome, who played with Bart Hendricks, although I think he was a walk-on too?
by SactoBronco on Feb 5, 2010 1:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Punter?
I’d say we are in need of a punter, as both Brotz and Elkin are seniors in 2010. While its often an afterthought position, when you have a good punter (accuracy, quick release, and distance) its an excellent weapon and can relieve a lot of pressure on the defense. And for the Broncos, it often helps if they can throw accurately under pressure as well!
by SactoBronco on Feb 5, 2010 1:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Anyone see him in action - at practice or a scrimmage?
Would be nice to find another Kyle Stringer – he could kick and loved to mix-it-up on occassions, never saw him back down from making a tackle or taking on a blocker. He certainly turned out to be a great signing from Texas. I believe he handled the punting duties for four years.
by SactoBronco on Feb 5, 2010 7:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
ME! ME!
I’ll be the punter! I’ll condition this leg. Is there a rule for 31 year Div 1-AA Engineering transfers? I’ll kick myself into the NFL as a 55 year old.
"Everyone counted us out. I don't know why they keep doing that." -- Kyle Wilson
by Loque on Feb 5, 2010 3:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ioane's got to be our nickelback
As I mentioned in a previous blog, this kid is a Venable clone, with much better speed. Under Socha, he will be 200+ after his redshirt year, and be a flippin’ heat-seeking missile! They have got to groom this kid as the next great nickelback. If so, he will be the best ever! I also agree that they have to recruit a real burner to replace Young. If Douglas doesn’t work out as a CB, he could be developed into this type of receiver. He’s smooth, tough, and FAST.
by typhoonblue on Feb 5, 2010 7:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Where will we be.
As far as the nickel back, who knows what coach K has planned. I don’t see him changing it. But who knows.
WR- If we could land that kid from Skyline that would be awesome. He should be the #1 priority.
QB- Watch the youtube video for Cody Kessler. Talk about a stud. This kid has all the tools. If Cal gives him an offer it would be really tough to get him to come to Boise St. At least that’s what it sounds like.
2010 class could (and should) be the best Boise St. has ever gotten so far. Depending on what we do next year…
by summitkopp on Feb 5, 2010 9:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
No way
on more JC transfers. They can fill a need immediately, if that is required. But it has to be for the best if we can recruit the players we want out of high school, giving them the years they would have spent on a JC team with ours.
by killtacular on Feb 6, 2010 12:07 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
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