It's almost zero hour...and as I type, we've less than 1 day remaining till the Ducks land.
So, today we'll continue our countdown by highlighting the Bronco player with the jersey number that corresponds with the number of days remaining till the opener. I apologize to any Broncos I missed along the way...98 highlights in 98 days was a more daunting task than I imagined.
Just one more. Tomorrow at this time we'll be part way through the 1st quarter. Wind that clock.
#1 Kyle Wilson, CB
I can't think of a more fitting way to end our 98 day odyssey than by highlighting arguably the best athlete to play for Boise State in the last decade (and that is saying something). Kyle Wilson will strap it up tomorrow night and begin his senior season at Boise State—a "told ya so" season for the recent spate of collegians departing early for the NFL. Wilson has done it the right way...studying...mentoring...getting better...finishing—and now he is on the cusp of legend status and a much fatter paycheck when the NFL comes calling. A Sporting News All-American last season, Wilson finished 2008 one of the most feared corners in the West after racking up 5 INTs, 10 pass breakups and 15 passes defended. He supplemented his defensive dominance with an amazing special teams stint—returning 33 punts for 470 yards and 3 TDs. Wilson's senior campaign should be one to watch, but don't expect teams to throw his way or punt to him very often...their avoidance will stand testament to his greatness. A freak of an athlete who's just gotten bigger and stronger each year in the system, Wilson ran a 4.3 40 at Boise State's Pro Day and should factor in as one of the speediest in the country. Wilson is one Bronco who will be sorely missed after his departure at year's end—as much for his leadership than his on-field prowess. And look, he has his own RV.
The poster child for the importance of ESPN games, Wilson liked what he saw from the scrappy team with the blue field as he sat in his living room in Piscataway, NJ. Wilson sent the Broncos a tape and the Broncos liked him right back. His high school days were fruitful ones as he helped his squad to 3 state championships and 2 undefeated seasons. Wilson was named the MVP of the New Jersey State Championship games in his final two seasons and set school records for receiving TDs, total TDs, and single-season scoring. Basically, Wilson was dominant when rushing, receiving, returning punts, or defending passes—talk about running the gamut. He redshirted for the Broncos in 2005 but became a force the next year as a redshirt frosh. His debut that year came against a Colt Brennan-led Hawaii squad and Wilson promptly picked off the record setter before he'd even laced up his cleats. He had a stellar Fiesta Bowl, racking up 10 tackles and was named an honorable mention on the Freshman All-America team. Wilson hasn't really looked back since then...he has 31 consecutive starts and is in every conversation regarding the nation's top corners. The first real lockdown corner the Broncos have had in a while...Wilson is just one cog in a spectacular Bronco secondary...but the unquestioned leader among them. Keep your eyes on number one, if you don't...you'll miss him.