We're down to 48—the same number of U.S. states that I currently recognize. Sorry, Vermont and New Hampshire!
We've got 48 days until kickoff...so today we'll be highlighting #48 on the Boise State roster—J.C. Percy
#48, J.C. Percy, Senior, LB
Stats
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 223 lbs.
High School: Blackfoot High School, Blackfoot, ID
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Percy was a multi-sport standout at Blackfoot High School—lettering in football (3x), wrestling (4x), and track (1x). As a senior, Percy was named first-team all-conference and second-team all-state after rushing for 550 yards on 66 carries and making 29 tackles in an injury-shortened season. As a junior, earned first-team all-conference honors and all-state honors for offense and defense after rushing for 1,440 yards on 199 carries and making 79 tackles, and recording five interceptions. Percy served as team captain both his junior and senior years. Aside from his football prowess, J.C. was a three-time district wrestling champion and member of the National Honor Society. His injury-shortened senior campaign likely kept him from making any waves in the 2008 recruiting class—he received no offers, but joined the Broncos as a walk-on that same year.
Nickname
"Perseus"
I'd try to come up with something better, but why?
Look-a-like
Prince so-and-so from Sleeping Beauty?
Career highlights
Played in all 13 games for the Broncos in 2011—making 48 stops, with a pass break-up and a TFL. Played in all 13 games in 2010 and was Broncos second leading tackler on the year. Named to WAC All-Academic teamPlayed in all 14 games in 2009 for the Broncos, making 3 starts and recording 64 tackles (second on the team). Made 9 tackles against New Mexico State.
2012 prospectus
Last year, I predicted that Percy would end up with a team-leading 70 tackles at the end of the year. I was wrong, Percy actually ended up 5th on the team in total tackles with a career-low 48—but Percy didn't have an off year...he just had less work to do with an incredible front four that rarely let opponents get to Percy's level. Still, 48 tackles in a year where the tackles were spread around more evenly was productive, and I'd expect nothing less from Percy in 2012. Fact is, Percy's leadership and productivity at the OLB spot will be more important this year than ever before. The senior will need to set the tone for a defense that lost their top five linemen and breaks in new starters at safety and possibly nickel. Percy's tackle numbers should once again rise to his freshman and sophomore levels and I'd expect a solid 60+ tackles out of the scrappy linebacker. He'll enter Fall Camp as the clear number one at OLB, and it will be interesting to see who ends up lining up behind him and whether they fill a co-starter type of role with Percy like Aaron Tevis did, or if they are a true backup. It will all depend on how Coach K and Coach Gregory choose to utilize the LB corps. If it's anything like years past, I'd expect Percy to share LB duties on the outside with the number of snaps slightly skewed in his favor. In all likelihood, his co-starter/backup will be a freshman (Tyler Gray, Andrew Pint, Ben Weaver) or sophomore (Travis Saxton). Outside chance that Chris Santini could compete for the slot as well, although he's listed as safety currently. Whatever way the depth chart shakes out come August 4th, rest assured that Percy will be there at the top—a vocal leader and senior that's ready to make the most of his final campaign on The Blue™.
Completely made up fact
Growing up in a town as small as Blackfoot, Percy made it his goal to learn every one in town's name, and to tackle each and every one of them at least once.