The atomic clock actually says that we have just 96 days until the Ducks hit the blue turf (hard).
So, today we'll continue our countdown by briefly highlighting the Bronco player with the jersey number that corresponds with the number of days remaining till the opener. Sorry there isn't a more clear and concise way to explain that.
And we're off...
#96 Jarrell Root, DE
Dubbed "the Root of all evil" by, well...me; Jarrell Root is part of a new wave of homegrown Bronco talent. A dominant (if not a bit lanky) player at Boise's Capital High, Root has developed into an excellent Division 1 end who, along with other Idaho products Shea McLellin and Byron Hout, will anchor the Broncos D-line for the next three years. Root rotated heavily last season with Mike T. Williams as a redshirt frosh and notched 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Besides growing an impressive 'fro in the offseason, Jarrell has also taken the road less traveled by most D-linemen and lost some weight as well. Root suffered a broken leg in November against Utah State and hopes playing at 255 instead of 275 this year will allow him to add the adjective "longevity" to his player resumè.
“I feel faster and like I’m just able to do the stuff that I used to be able to do,” he said. “I got stronger and harder to move, but it also got harder for me to move. I don’t get pushed around too much — 250, I guess, is still kind of big.
Yes, Jarrell, you're still kind of big.