We're now 35 days into the often ripped off imitated, but never duplicated countdown and the clash with Georgia is imminent.
We've got 65 days until kickoff...so today we'll be taking a look at #65 on the Boise State roster—Matt Paradis
#65, Matt Paradis, Sophomore, OL
Stats
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 286 lbs.
High School: Council High School, Council, ID
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Matt Paradis was to Council High School what Shea McClellin was to Marsing High—a dominant force that made the opposition look silly. Paradis may have played at the 1A level, but his production was impressive nonetheless. Matt registered 186 tackles and 17 sacks over his junior and senior seasons and was named the 1A Idaho Player of the Year in 2008. He made an appearance on the all-state team as a sophomore and junior as well. Unsurprisingly, given the talent in Boise State's backyard that often goes unnoticed, Paradis was not offered any scholarships after his senior year at Council High, but his impressive play was enough for the Broncos to extend him an invited walk-on offer. Paradis accepted, obviously, and a scholarship could still be coming.
Nickname
"Paradis Lost"
Hooray for literature!
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Look-a-like
That "San Dimas High School Football Rules!" guy from Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure.
Career highlights
First-team all-state defensive line as a sophomore. First team all-state on offense and defense as a junior. 1A Idaho High School Player of the Year as a senior. Boise State Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year in 2009. Saw action in one game (Toledo) on the Bronco O-line.
Career lowlight
Last year's photo, which I've dubbed "the Little Orphan Annie look"
2011 prospectus
Last offseason, I was convinced that the Matt Paradis O-line move was just a silly experiment. After all, the kid was a tackling machine in high school and he'd been named the Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year months before. I'm not afraid to admit that visions of Andrew Browning were dancing in my head. Well, obviously the coaching staff still aren't taking my calls, because the O-line is exactly where Paradis looks destined to stay. I may not get it, but you can be sure they want to maximize the amount of playing time for a talented grinder like Paradis, and the D-line slots are precious...like track suits to Communists.
Paradis certainly has the versatility to make the switch and he's already spent time at guard and center. I still think he'll be hard-pressed to crack the two-deep this year, but I think in 2012 he may have the inside track to be a possible Thomas Byrd replacement. Of course, this is discounting a meteoric rise in Fall Camp, which has been known to happen, or injury, which is also known to happen. Truly, any player on the periphery of the O-line depth chart is one ACL tear away from action...so whether Paradis expects to play or not...he should nonetheless be ready to play in 2011. My gut, however, says he'll only see mop-up duty this year...but hey, experience is experience.
Completely made up fact
Since cutting off his ginger 'fro, Paradis has found that his energy and strength have been sapped. Like Samson, it was the source of his power. Curse you, Great Clips!