The Boise State racing receivers: racing toward a victory this August 31st. Yeah, you're right, that was lame. The Boise State receiving group is young, fast, and motivated. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Titus Young, Austin Pettis, and Tyler Shoemaker, the Bronco's receivers have done their best to not miss a beat. However, they may have to work a bit harder now that Kellen Moore isn't behind center making sandwiches...errr...throwing them the ball. Take a look after the jump for what 2012 has in store for the BSU receivers.
(And so begins the age old tradition of position previews. We love traditions at OBNUG. Other traditions may include, but are not limited to: Dairy Queen Blizzards, hating anything Vandal, and Spell Check. Next Up:The Obtuse Offensive Line.)
The Offenders
93 | Dunn, Brennyn | TE | 6-3 | 201 | Fr. | Preston, Idaho (Preston HS) |
42 | Hardee, Jake | TE | 6-3 | 234 | RFr. | Boise, Idaho (Bishop Kelly HS) |
85 | Huff, Holden | TE | 6-5 | 213 | RFr. | Rocklin, Calif. (Rocklin HS) |
88 | Koch, Chandler | TE | 6-2 | 246 | RSr. | Flower Mound, Texas (Flower Mound HS) |
87 | Linehan, Gabe | TE | 6-4 | 241 | RJr. | Banks, Ore. (Banks HS) |
89 | Peters, Connor | TE | 6-4 | 253 | So. | Antioch, Calif. (Laney College) (De La Salle HS) |
80 | Plinke, Hayden | TE | 6-4 | 255 | Fr. | Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS) |
86 | Sosnowski, Kyle | TE | 6-2 | 247 | RSo. | Boise, Idaho (Capital HS) |
17 | Boldewijn, Geraldo | WR | 6-4 | 214 | RJr. | Amsterdam, Netherlands (Capital HS) |
18 | Burks, Aaron | WR | 6-3 | 200 | RJr. | Grand Prairie, Texas (Mansfield Timberview HS) |
81 | Burroughs, Dallas | WR | 5-8 | 173 | So. | Meridian, Idaho (Rocky Mountain HS) |
20 | Burroughs, Mitch | WR | 5-9 | 193 | RSr. | Meridian, Idaho (Meridian HS) |
15 | Jackson, Tyler | WR | 6-1 | 195 | RSr. | Castle Rock, Colo. (Douglas County HS) |
2 | Miller, Matt | WR | 6-3 | 215 | RSo. | Helena, Mont. (Capital HS) |
34 | Moore, Kirby | WR | 6-3 | 203 | RJr. | Prosser, Wash. (Prosser HS) |
29 | Pope, Taylor | WR | 6-0 | 163 | Fr. | La Quinta, Calif. (La Quinta HS) |
3 | Potter, Chris | WR | 5-9 | 159 | RSr. | Westlake Village, Calif. (Oaks Christian HS) |
24 | Reed, Jackson | WR | 6-4 | 212 | Fr. | Boise, Idaho (Timeberline HS) |
83 | Ware, Troy | WR | 6-2 | 195 | RFr. | Oceanside, Calif. (Vista HS) |
11 | Williams-Rhodes, Shane | WR | 5-6 | 154 | Fr. | Spring, Texas (Klein Collins HS) |
In order to save myself from having to do a review of all 20 receivers (I know that's practically an insult to Drew's daily countdown - sorry), I will be highlighting a few of the key individuals from the Tight End group, and a few from Wide Receiver group.
Matt Miller
- Favorite Quote: "Forget love, I'd rather fall in chocolate." -Most Women
- Favorite Song: "Pretty Fly...For a white guy" -The Offspring
- Favorite Movie: Frankenweenie. "I know it isn't even out yet, but I'm 68% sure it will be my fav." - Matt Miller
List of offenses: 2011 Redshirt Freshman Season
62 REC., 679 YDS., 11.0 AVG., 48 LNG., 9 TD.
Is it just me, or does Matt Miller slightly resemble Frankenstein in his profile picture? Hmm. Anyways, the Montana native, Miller, will undoubtedly anchor the Bronco's receiving corp this season. Matt Miller is like Austin Pettis reincarnated, only Austin Pettis isn't dead, and I think Matt Miller is better. GASP! Yeah, he's better. And are you ready for this prediction? Matt Miller will be Boise State's all time leading receiver by the time he graduates by a long shot. Nobody is going to catch this kid anytime in the near future. Miller catches just about anything that is thrown within five yards of him. He averaged a first down every single time he touched the ball last year. Miller will undoubtedly start and in my opinion, will be the go-to-guy for just about anything we need. He is tall, great hands, decent speed, and simply amazing athletic ability. This guy is a winner, and he knows it. Look for him to make a big difference on offense over the next three years.
With the suspension of Boldewijn, I expect redshirt freshman Troy Ware to step up and play behind Miller at the X position.
Up Next: Mitch Burroughs
Mitch Burroughs
- Favorite Quote: I can be your Buzz Lightyear and fly you 'round the globe." -Justin Bieber
- Favorite Song: Macarena -Los Del Rio
- Favorite Movie: The Notebook. "It's a tear-jerker, man." -Mitch Burroughs
List of offenses: 2011 Junior Season
49 REC., 500 YDS., 10.2 AVG., 29 LNG., 1 TD.
Mitch Burroughs and I may have one of the most love-hate relationships that I have ever had with a Bronco player. "By the beard of Zeus!", I will scream as I see Mitch drop a wide open pass. But yet he'll come right back on the next play and make me pay for taking the name of Zeus in vein. He is a polarizing player: you either love him, or you hate him. He doesn't leave a whole lot of middle ground. I will say however, that he has recently impressed me, much more so than in the past. He was the Bronco's third leading receiver, only behind Mr. Montana himself, and Shooeeeee. No small task to be running with those two greats. I expect Mitch to have a much more significant role this year as Coach Pete begins to groom some of the younger receivers. Also, Patti-rea-hed-wick won't have Shoemaker to throw to on top of Miller like he did last year. Burroughs should have no problem getting 55+ receptions this season.
Look for his younger, faster brother Dallas to be his backup at the Z position. They both should also get a fair crack at kickoff and punt returns.
Next Up: Kirby Moore
Kirby Moore
- Favorite Quote: "I'm a big tough girl, I tie my own sandals and everything." -Meg (Hercules)
- Favorite Song: "Who Let The Dogs Out" -Baha Men
- Favorite Movie: Enchanted. "It gives me warm fuzzies." -Kirby Moore
List of offenses: 2011 Redshirt Sophomore Season
22 REC., 247 YDS., 11.2 AVG., 30 LNG., 1 TD.
I'm not going to comment on Kirby's hair. Not going to do it. Refraining. Struggling. Ah, the urge has passed. Kirby Moore, younger brother of Kellen Moore. That's pretty much all you need to know in order to fully love this dude. That and his goofy smile and homeless-esque style haircut. Dang - I did it. I commented. Sigh. But seriously, it's time for Kirby to have a breakout year. We were all blow away/not surprised at all when Kirby played in nearly every game as true freshman. We were also blown away/not surprised when he redshirted the following year. At that point, we simply didn't need him. We were much too stacked on the receiving side. However, last season Kirby was able to get back into the swing of things, catching 22 balls for 247 yards. Not blowing it out of the water by any means, but not too shabby. However, Kirby hasn't lived up to his full potential. All those Washington state records that Kellen has for passing, he was throwing the ball to Kirby. It's time for Kirby to bust out of his shell and have a break out year. I'm looking for 50 catches and 550+ yards.
Depending on the rotation, look for Reshirt senior Chris Potter to possibly start ahead of Kirby and get just as many reps.
Next Up:Gabe Linehan
Gabe Linehan
- Favorite Quote: "I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian." -Unknown
- Favorite Song: Shakira - Every single song
- Favorite Movie: The Fantastic Mr. Fox. "That movie is straight up crazy." -Gabe Linehan
List of offenses: 2011 Redshirt Sophomore Season
23 REC., 252 YDS., 11.0 AVG., 32 LNG.
Okay, Gabe's haircut puts Kirby to shame. That is some wild hair. And Gabe Linehan is a wild man. In fact, just to prove it, he sports a "WILD" tattoo underneath his right bicep, and "ONE" underneath his left bicep. That way when he scores, he can prove his wildness to the world via his tattoos. As if they didn't already know based on his hair. Gabe played a key role in 2011 at the Tight End position. I expect Gabe to have an increasingly critical role in the Broncos aerial attack going forward. Standing at 6'4" and 241 lbs, Gabe is no small target. He can go up for the ball with the best of them, and will likely be a favorite receiver for Patt-rea-hed-wick. Although Gabe has established himself as the top tight end on the team, I wouldn't be surprised if newcomer Holden Huff gives him a run for his money. He has been turning a lot of heads in drills lately.
Look for Chandler Koch to also step up and play a significant role at the tight end position in 2012.
Next Up: All the rest
Brennyn Dunn, Jake Hardee, Holden Huff, Chandler Koch, Connor Peters, Hayden Plinke, Kyle Sosnowski, Geraldo Boldewijn, Aaron Burks, Dallas Burroughs, Tyler Jackson, Taylor Pope, Chris Potter, Jackson Reed, Troy Ware, Shane Williams-Rhodes
There are several other key contributors at both the WR and TE positions on the team. Chris Potter, Geraldo Boldewijn, and Aaron Burks are a few of the more experienced guys that will definitely give us some edge on leadership and speed. However, this team is stacked with youth at both positions. From the list above, I suspect Holden Huff and Troy Ware to be the newcomers to the party, and they're going to come in with a bang. Our receivers seem to be getting taller, and faster each year. Our tight ends are no different.
There will also be no shortage of speed with Dallas Burroughs on the team. The fastest kid in America at one point will likely get his fair share of kickoff and punt returns where he will have a real chance to display just how fast he is. Dallas ran a 4.28 at the 40 yard dash during spring drills. In an upcoming position preview, you'll see the defensive star who ran it just as fast.
Conclusions
I'm not worried. I'm just not (eating another twinkie and sucking down some more Crystal Light). But seriously, I'm not worried. We have so much talent. We have so much speed. We have all the key ingredients needed for a successful and dynamic receiving group. I'm anticipating the tight ends to step up and get some more passes thrown their way this year. However, it will take a collective effort to thwart off the potential losses of the season.
Your Turn
Its your turn, Bronco Nation. Who do you think will be the biggest star on the receiving side this year? Who will be the biggest newcomer? Do you have any different picks for starters? Sound off in the comments! But first, another poll!