Boise State running back update: How Matt Kaiserman's future affects Jay Ajayi and the Bronco backfield
by Kevan Lee on Feb 8, 2011 7:31 AM PST
in Boise State football
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PrintDepending on how far you trust Twitter rumors, the scuttlebutt yesterday that Matt Kaiserman has played his last game due to injury concerns is either totally newsworthy or completely unsubstantiated. Or both I guess. Yay new journalism!
If Kaiserman is gone, that could mean some big changes to the Boise State backfield. How big? I don't want to put the cart before the horse, but Doug Martin, D.J. Harper, and Jay Ajayi in the backfield at the same time. Tell your friends! Let's discuss the topic and the depth chart after the jump.
The Twitter source
Rumored on message boards, the Kaiserman injury report hit Twitter yesterday, looking like this (HT: Jrig):
RB Matt Kaiserman will not be returning to the #BoiseState active roster, due to medical concerns.
Will @ BroncoCountry
BadWillHunting
Always trust a Blue Elvis.
Kaiserman's injury concerns are well documented. His junior season was cut short by a broken ankle, and he has suffered multiple concussions throughout his playing career. The last of those concussions came in the Las Vegas Bowl.
No official announcement has been made by the Broncos, unless you count the one leaked to random BlogSpot sites like this.
In a world without Matt Kaiserman ...
Let's say that Kaiserman's Boise State career is indeed over. If true, these are the Bronco running backs who remain in play for 2011:
- Doug Martin
- D.J. Harper
- Raphiel Lambert
- Carlo Audagnotti
- Drew Wright
- Jay Ajayi
Keep in mind that RB Malcolm Johnson is not currently with the team due to academics.
How would your running back depth chart look?
Mine goes something like this: Martin > Harper > Lambert > Ajayi.
Yes, I recognize that I have Raphiel Lambert ahead of Parade All-American Jay Ajayi. It is not a typo unless eight months from now it proves to be wrong in which case it is definitely a typo and I blame the OBNUG intern. Still, as proof that I'm not crazy, not too long ago, Lambert was a highly sought after high school running back. He is most certainly capable of being the Jarvis Hodge of this team. If I had to make a depth chart today (and I just did), then Lambert's experience gives him a slight edge over Ajayi.
Don't get me wrong, though. Kaiserman not playing opens the door for Ajayi seeing time as a true freshman. He could beat out Lambert in fall camp and be the team's No. 3. He could move up to No. 2 if D.J. Harper's recovery doesn't go as expected. He could be playing a Jeremy Avery role by midseason. Boise State is not afraid to play a true freshman running back, so why not play the best true freshman running back in Boise State history?
In a world with Matt Kaiserman ...
There's also the possibility that the rumors aren't true, Kaiserman's head is fine, and there's one more warm body in the Bronco backfield this fall. If so, how would that change the depth chart?
Again, one man's (probably wrong) prediction: Martin > Harper > Kaiserman > Lambert > Ajayi.
The future of the Boise State backfield
Here is how the next few years look at the running back position for Boise State:
| 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Martin |
D.J. Harper | |
Jay Ajayi |
| Carlo Audagnotti | |||
| Raphiel Lambert | |||
| Drew Wright |
Ajayi graduating in 2014 assumes that he does not redshirt this year. Harper graduating in 2012 assumes he will get a medical redshirt and have two years of eligibility remaining. If Malcolm Johnson returns to the team, he could be expected to graduate in 2013 (he was a 2009 redshirt).
Your turn
What does your running back depth chart look like? Do you think Matt Kaiserman's departure opens the door for Jay Ajayi playing this year? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Also,
If this is true, its a sad day for bronco nation. Matt was a funk kid to watch, Undersized underdog that worked his BW off. And a local kid at that. Sad to see him go if its true, hopefully they find a place for him in the program.
Having said that…….I cant wait to watch Jay run wild on the blue
by BSUTHROWBALLFOREVER on Feb 8, 2011 7:44 AM PST reply actions
My depth chart has Ajayi playing either way.
Martin > Harper > Kaiserman = Ajayi > Lambert.
I just don’t see Lambert being the answer. After redshirting in 2008, I would think the coaches would find a place to get him some carries over two years. Has he been hurt? Drew Wright was getting carries before Lambert.
BSU played true freshman over experienced backs before when Avery and Harper got the nod over Hodge. Granted, the makeup of the RB corps was a little different that year, but the coaches have shown a that a freshman will play if he is ready.
I originally was not optimistic about Harper getting a 6th year of eligibility, but the NCAA has made some eyebrow raising decisions the past couple of years that gives hope for another year.
Either way, I look for Ajayi to play this year and for BSU to bring in 2 or 3 RBs in next year’s recruiting class.
"...east and west is the problem, north and south the solution."
True enough.
As much as Lambert got the hype in Spring camp did anyone see him get a single carry in a game last year? I didn’t.
Ajayi is bigger, faster, and stronger than Lambert and I don’t think there’s anyway he’ll end up behind him on the depth chart. Plus, I really think the coaching staff was excited about the possibilities of “The Stable” before Harper’s injury. I’m sure they’re drooling over the prospect of trying to bust it out again this year with 3 healthy, and very capable backs.
Go watch Ajayi’s highlight’s again, if you must (here‘s his first 6 games of his senior season) and tell me this kid isn’t ready for primetime. Heck, Harper played as a true freshman and I think Ajayi might have more upside.
Hmm....
If I had to make a depth chart today (and I just did), then Lambert’s experience gives him a slight edge over Ajayi.
What experience does Lambert have? He has one recorded tackle with BSU. I don’t think he even saw the field at all as a running back in 2010. And if he did, he didn’t carry the ball.
My depth chart goes:
1. Doug Martin
2. DJ Harper
3. Jay Ajayi
4. Raphiel Lambert
"It takes no talent to give great effort" -Chris Petersen
"It's hard to imagine a more complete football team than Boise State" - Kirk Herbstreit
"Watch the point, catch the fat." - Larry Fitzgerald
Playing Jay this year, assuming he’s ready, allows him to keep the redshirt in in pocket in case of future injuries (knock on wood), or a Kirby like situation where they just decide to use it later. It gives options.
This would allow DJ and Jay to be co-#2s allowing Jay important experience but not putting too much on his back, plus it allows DJ to conserve his “knee” for short bursts and reducing the chance of another injury. Next year Jay could become the 1 or 1a at least and have the advantage of considerable playing time.
2011: Doug 1,600yd
DJ 700
Jay 450
That would be a happy.
by Rand McNalley on Feb 8, 2011 10:22 AM PST up reply actions
I like it
Last month I predicted Martin would go 1500 yards next year. I really hope Harper’s knee can hold up. I feel bad for the kid. He has a ton of potential, just bad luck.
"It takes no talent to give great effort" -Chris Petersen
"It's hard to imagine a more complete football team than Boise State" - Kirk Herbstreit
"Watch the point, catch the fat." - Larry Fitzgerald
When questions arise about our running back roster
I remember we have Doug Harper.
Best of luck to Matty K. I always liked that kid.
there is no 'Z' in 'Boise'
there is no 'O' in 'Petersen'
there is no edit button on SBNation
by Boise State of Mind on Feb 8, 2011 8:37 AM PST reply actions
I spoke
with a trainer at my gym whos brother married Kaiserman’s cousin or something like that. He said that Matt was one serious injury away from calling it quits. That was back during fall camp. I saw the hit in the vegas bowl live and I was surprised to see him get up and walk away.
Did
anyone else notice the SB Nation post on the right of these comments? “Georgia’s top RB suspended indefinitely.” Woo hoo.
My running back depth chart reads like this:
1. Doug Martin
2. Doug Martin
3. Doug Martin
4. Someone else
Yes, I have a man crush on Doug Martin, but he has proven that he should be the guy getting the carries. Now I must say that I do like Harper, but after two injuries I don’t think he will be the same. That second knee injury was strange in that it didn’t appear that he tweaked it that bad. His knee fell apart none the less. I would like to see Ajaya get some carries, but Lambert and Wright have put the time in. If they can run the ball well, they should play.
Matt Kaiserman
Hate to see him go but his health is more important than the game. Maybe they can keep him as part of the team as a student assistant coach
by scoretouchdowns.com on Feb 10, 2011 8:13 AM PST reply actions
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2012 Boise State Football Schedule
@ Michigan State  |
Fri 08/31 | 6:00 p.m. MT |
| Miami (OH) | Sat 09/15 | 2:00 p.m. MT |
| BYU |
Thu 09/20 | TBA |
| @ New Mexico | Sat 09/29 | TBA |
| @ Southern Miss | Sat 10/06 | TBA |
| Fresno State | Sat 10/13 | 1:30 p.m. MT |
| UNLV | Sat 10/20 | 1:30 p.m. MT |
| @ Wyoming |
Sat 10/27 | 1:30 p.m. MT |
| San Diego State | Sat 11/03 | 8:30 p.m. MT |
| @ Hawaii | Sat 11/10 | 5:00 p.m. MT |
| Colorado St. | Sat 11/17 | 1:30 p.m. MT |
| @ Nevada | Sat 12/1 | TBA |
