Homegrown talent is a staple of the Boise State football program, and it would appear that every local kid's dream is to play for the Broncos. Sorry, Robb Akey. I hear there's some husky kids on the Palouse.
After the jump, find out who Idaho's top high school recruiting prospects are for 2011 and where they're headed to school. Are Idaho recruits important to you? Glad to see Boise State making an impact in its own backyard? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Idaho high school players on the Boise State roster
There are 25 of them. Here are the ones on the projected two-deep for next season:
- DE Shea McClellin (Marsing)
- OT Nate Potter (Timberline)
- LB Byron Hout (Lake City)
- TE Kyle Efaw (Capital)
- LB J.C. Percy (Blackfoot)
- WR Tyler Shoemaker (Mountain View)
- WR Mitch Burroughs (Meridian)
- DE Jarrell Root (Capital)
- S Cedric Febis (Bishop Kelly)
- DT Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe (Boise)
- RB Matt Kaiserman (Skyview)
- WR Geraldo Hiwat (Capital)
- OL Michael Ames (Centennial)
In addition to the potential starters, the list of backups includes CB Josh Borgman (Centennial), LB David Cushing (Vallivue), LB Billy Derome (Mountain Home), OL Spencer Gerke (Bishop Kelly), K Dan Goodale (Timberline), LB Dustin Kamper (Nampa Christian), WR Alexander Miles (Mountain View), DT Matt Paradis (Council), LB Travis Saxton (Eagle), TE Kyle Sosnowski (Capital), RB Drew Wright (Vallivue), and DE Tyler Horn (Mountain View).
Idaho's top high school recruits for 2011
The following players represent the top-rated high school recruits according to Scout.com, Rivals.com, and ESPN.com.
Cody McCarthy, LB, Bishop Kelly
Offers: Army, Idaho State, Washington State
McCarthy is the consensus best player in the state, according to the Big Three online scouting resources. He was named the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year in 2010 for his work as a two-way player at Bishop Kelly and probably because he put up simply disgusting numbers like these: 177 tackles, 10 sacks, 20 TFLs, nine forced fumbles, and four INTs. Also, his team went undefeated and won the state championship.
Here is his senior year in defensive excellence:
So why does McCarthy remain uncommitted to any school? Good question. He has spent plenty of time with Bronco coaches at BSU football camps over the years, and he seems very interested in playing for Boise State. But the Broncos might not be in a position where they need any more linebackers in this recruiting class, especially after the recent commitment from Eagle's Dillon Lukehart.
McCarthy has a visit scheduled at Army this weekend (source). Washington State may or may not have an offer in (Rivals says yes, Scout says no). The University of Idaho knows he exists, I think. McCarthy's choice might come down to the LOI Day wire.
Dillon Lukehart, RB, Eagle
Committed: Boise State
Lukehart should be a hero to every Boise State fan for his dropping the Vandals like they're hot the minute Boise State came around with an offer. Sure it was kind of flighty, but I like to think Lukehart had been planning it all along in some sort of elaborate long con of Robb Akey. This is on my bucket list, so I'm going to go ahead and cross it off vicariously.
As a key player on Eagle's 5A state championship team, Lukehart ran for 1,100 yards and 21 scores. Boise State plans to use him as a linebacker.
Corey Bell, S, Capital
Committed: Boise State
The Broncos used their Capital High pipeline to secure the commitment of Bell, a high school DB who may end up working into the nickelback spot at Boise State (source). Message board rumors say he may grayshirt, meaning it might be a couple years until you see him on the blue.
Dallas Burroughs, WR, Rocky Mountain
Committed: Boise State
Mitch's younger brother committed to the Broncos over the summer. The Idaho 100-meter champion, Burroughs has a lot of potential at the wide receiver position and may end up being a more polished version of his older brother before all is said and done.
Others
Some other notable Idaho high school players who have yet to commit to any colleges:
- Zach Keiser, RB, Coeur d'Alene
- Jim Bagley, OL, Rocky Mountain
- Hunter Griffith, LB, Bishop Kelly
- Marcus Poling, CB, Idaho Falls
- Jordan Trompke, MLB, Mountain View
- Muamer Hasanovic, MLB, Capital
Idaho recruiting report: Boise State 3, University of Idaho 0
As if it wasn't already painfully apparent who has the top college football team in the state, let the local recruiting wars clue you in. Boise State has received commitments from three of the top four players in the state. The fourth player - the state's best - has the Broncos in his top three despite not receiving a scholarship from them.
Idaho has zero.
Your turn
What do you think about Idaho athletes on the Boise State football team? Want to see McCarthy in blue and orange? Glad that the Vandals are getting it handed to them by the Broncos in yet another thing? Share your thoughts in the comments.