Hard to believe, but there are only 20 days until the Broncos storm the Capital to take on the Hokies. As you may remember, last summer I embarked on the Herculean task of counting down a different roster spot for each remaining day until kickoff. So far this year, we're batting a thousand, so drop me notes of encouragement now and again so I can find the strength to get through the next couple months without breaking the streak.
We've got 20 days until kickoff...so today we'll be highlighting #20 on the Boise State roster—Mitch Burroughs
#20, Mitch Burroughs, Sophomore, WR
Stats
Height: 5'9"
Weight: 188 lbs.
High School: Meridian High School, Meridian, ID
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Burroughs lettered four times in football at Meridian High playing receiver and running back. As a senior, Burroughs was named Velocity/Prep Star All-Region and placed on the All-SIC second team after rushing for 450 yards and racking up 520 receiving yards and 10 TDs. Burroughs junior season was incredible, as he was named Southern Idaho Conference Player of Year, first-team All-SIC, and second-team all-state after rushing for 650 yards (6.5 YPC) and grabbing 56 receptions for 994 yards and 23 touchdowns. Burroughs had offers from Idaho and Idaho State.
Nickname
"Bubble Screen"
Hopefully next season we can change his nickname to "Fade".
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Look-a-like
Career highlights
Named Boise State's Offensive Scout Player of the Year in 2008. Played in 13 games for the Broncos in 2009, including one start against New Mexico State.
Career lowlight
Basically any time a screen pass was thrown to him last season.
2010 prospectus
Mitch Burroughs much-maligned 2009 was a result of three things.
- The playcalling for Burroughs was anything but creative...he pretty much was getting a screen pass thrown to him whether we (or he) liked it or not. It was not effective at any point during the season.
- Burroughs missed a pass or two. At least one of which could've been an easy score.
- Expectations for Burroughs were a little too high. Some thought his offensive scout team award as a redshirt meant that he'd be on-par with the all-conference receivers in front of him.
Now that we've established why Burroughs struggled in 2009, here's how I think he can improve in 2010:
First, if Harsin is worth his salt he'll abandon the bubble screen to Burroughs this year. We may see it again in the future, but not until all the kinks are worked out (and there are a lot of kinks to work out). Secondly, Burroughs no doubt has worked on his pass-catching in the offseason. He was only thrown to a dozen times or so last season, so one or two drops appeared to be a large number. Heck, if I knew I was going to have a screen pass thrown to me and be immediately tackled, I'd probably drop my fair share of passes too. Third, and most importantly (I'm talking to you, Burroughs-bashers)...Mitch Burroughs is NOT Austin Pettis or Titus Young...at this point he's not even Vinny Perretta. Give the kid a break...he's dealt with some very traumatic personal hardships and has still come out and given his all to the program...he's still young and will make his mark on this team sooner than later. Most people don't remember Titus Young's fumblitis in 2007 or Drisan James' bout against butterfingers...I'm sure that by the time his career is through people won't remember Mitch Burroughs' underwhelming redshirt freshman year.
Completely made up fact
Mitch's sideburns are thought to bring good luck to anyone who touches them.