The atomic clock actually says that we have just 56 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.
Boise State does not have every number from 1 to 99 assigned as of yet...so today (and all other days where this occurs) I will be highlighting a walk-on or new addition to the team that could have the number that we've currently landed on. If that made any sense to you at all, we'll move right along.
And we're off...
#56 Allen Mooney, LB
Boise State gets a lot of mileage out of grabbing recruits who were "a couple of inches too short" to go elsewhere. I mean, really...do you think Kellen Moore would've only had a scholarship offer to Eastern Washington if he were 6'4"? Linebacker Allen Mooney is the prototypical Boise State recruit...which is to say, he is NOT the prototypical BCS recruit. Every school in the West Coast would've had Mooney on speed dial if it weren't the little matter (no, pun intended) of being 5'9" tall. Mooney may keep growing, but it matters not...the kid can flat out play, and every school that passed on him will know sooner than later.
Mooney was a standout middle linebacker at O'Dea High School in Washington State for part of 3 seasons. He was named first team All-Conference as a junior and second team All-Conference as a sophomore. His senior year was cut extremely short by injury, allowing him action in only 3 games...despite this fact, he still notched 35 tackles and a sack in this span—do the math, that's over 11 tackles per game. As a junior, he missed 3 games and still came out with 106 tackles (36 for loss), 2 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an INT. His sophomore year, the injury bug bit him again, allowing him only 5 starts...but again, Mooney was a force, notching 55 tackles (20 for loss), 5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. Now, you may be worried about Mooney's longevity—so am I...but look at that production! The stocky MLB killed it on the gridiron when he had the opportunity...196 tackles and 8 sacks in about a year and a half of solid P.T. Mooney doesn't just have a motor...he's got a HEMI. He possesses amazing field awareness, chooses excellent pursuit angles, and may be as sure a run-stopping 'backer as we've seen around here in some time. Mooney's height shouldn't be a problem on the blue...in fact, he may remind many of Andy Avalos or Chauncey Ako right out of the gate. Mooney and fellow 2009 linebacker recruit John Michael Davis should be very solid backers for the Broncos right when we need them most. Look for Mooney to redshirt as he continues rehabbing his knee...but after that he's out to own the blue. Pwn it even.