The atomic clock actually says that we have just 36 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
#36 Aaron Tevis, LB
"Lanky" isn't usually the term that is used to described linebackers. Wideouts? Maybe. Nevada quarterbacks? Definitely. Linebackers are generally viewed as stocky, thick, or just flat out big. Aaron Tevis is really none of those things, and that is why it's so darn fun to watch this kid play. Tevis has the athleticism—no one will deny that—and his frame will hold more weight. It's just very unusual to see someone that looks like Austin Pettis from a hundred yards out running down QBs and batting balls down at the line of scrimmage. Unusual, and awesome. Tevis practically came out of nowhere as a redshirt freshman last year and was named the starter for the season opener against Idaho State. He made the most of it...posting eight tackles, 2 sacks, and a pass breakup. Then he quietly retreated back to the sidelines for the better part of the season. Was this a trick by Coach Wilcox? An experiment gone awry? Where did Tevis come from? More importantly, where did he go? I sincerely hope we'll find out in the coming weeks.
Tevis, as I said, is a lanky 6'3" 214 lb. linebacker from Tucson, Arizona. Tevis attended Canyon del Oro High where he starred in football, basketball, and track. He was named to the All-Southern Arizona football squad his senior year as a tightend and a linebacker after gaining 637 receiving yards and 7 TDs and notching 80 tackles, 8 sacks, and 4 INTs. As a junior, Tevis played defensive end (really) and registered 71 tackles in just 5 games. Yowza. For a man of Tevis'...ahem...proportions, he also possesses unnatural strength, as he won the regional shotput championship in 2006 with a 47'6" heave. Tevis, much like Optimus Prime, is much more than meets the eye. He has a huge wingspan, good speed, and good hands...hands good for batting down errant passes and wrapping up QBs and running backs alike. Tevis isn't being mentioned much this Fall for one of the two open LBs slots, but I wouldn't count him out. Having linebackers that can stop the run, but pass rush and drop into coverage gives Boise State's already-scary defense a whole new dimension. Is terror a dimension?