We've reached our 2nd palindrome day of the countdown. You lucky reader.
We've got 88 days until kickoff, but that number has yet to be assigned. Today, I'll highlight a player who could wear the double ocho this Fall—Mat Boesen
#88, Mat Boesen, True Freshman, Nickel
Stats
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 220 lbs.
High School: West High School, Torrance, CA
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Boesen was a standout everything at Torrance's West High School, starring on the gridiron and the wrestling mat. 2012 was a particularly good year for Boesen, as he helped lead his team to a berth in the CIF championship game while breaking the school's single-season sack record (16) and recording nearly 900 receiving yards. Then, Boesen carried his momentum right into wrestling season, where he won a Bay League championship and finished 3rd at state. For Boesen's football exploits, he was named CIF Northern Division Defensive Player of the Year, Daily Breeze All-Area and to MaxPreps California Division II All-State Second Team. Boesen chose the Broncos over San Diego State...and it's a minor miracle he didn't have any more offers besides those two.
Nickname
"Spicoli"
Look-alike
Clay Matthews
Career Highlights
Named CIF Northern Division Defensive Player of the Year, Daily Breeze All-Area and MaxPreps California Division II All-State Second Team in 2012-13. First-team All-Bay League and second-team Torrance Daily Breeze All-Area on defense following junior year. Won four-straight Bay League championships in wrestling.
2013 Prospectus
Okay...so I said we were heading into a pocket of tight ends. I wasn't lying, but first things first...we have an unclaimed number to assign to our countdown and I can't wait much longer to talk about Boesen. With Boesen's size and tackling prowess at defensive end, you might think the Bronco coaches are crazy to move him away from that position on defense. You might even think that they're crazy to not let him line up on offense, as Boesen was a prolific receiving tight end (ahh, there's the connection). But no, the Bronco coaching staff, in their wisdom have decided to try Boesen out at Nickel—a position thus far marked by players 4 or 5 inches shorter than Boesen with "DB" attached to their name before joining the program. So, what are the coaches thinking? They're thinking about making Boesen the new prototype for our Nickel position—and when you allow yourself to think about that as well...it's a chilling and awesome image. Boesen played all over the field at West High, and the Bronco coaches are trying to insert him into a position where he'll be able to do just that. Boise State asks their Nickels to be edge rushers, linebackers, and 5th DBs. Boesen will do all that, but in the body of a prototypical NFL middle linebacker (one with soft hands to-boot). Now you may be wondering if they'll be able to keep Boesen off the field this year. Good lord, I hope not. This kid has so much upside it's scary.
Really...here's a kid that could potentially start at 3 different positions for the Broncos right out of the chute, but one that Coach Kwiatkowski is choosing to play in an experimental role (probably while rubbing his hands together and laughing maniacally). Exactly what Coach K has up his sleeve will be fun to watch. Whether Boesen steps in this year and competes with Corey Bell, Jon Brown and Chris Santini remains to be seen...but for Coach K's master plan to be fully realized, I say we'll have to see Boesen this Fall. I, for one, won't complain one bit.
Completely made up fact
Boesen was told at a young age that if he ever cut his hair, all his power would be lost. It pretty much exactly echoes the story of Samson from the Bible, except Boesen was told this by a fortune cookie at Panda Express.