Worked all week for the weekend, but now that it's here, I just want to sit in front of a swamp cooler.
We've got 47 days until kickoff...so today we'll be highlighting #47 on the Boise State roster—Dan Paul
#47, Dan Paul, Senior, FB
Stats
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 265 lbs.
High School: Sam Barlow High School, Boring, OR
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Paul earned 5 letters at Sam Barlow High School in Boring, OR—3 in football, and 2 in track and field. Dan was named first-team all-conference as linebacker and second team-all-conference as an offensive lineman in both his junior and senior years and was honorable mention all-state at linebacker and offensive lineman in both years as well. As a senior, Paul was named team captain and defensive MVP, and was a finalist for the scholar-athlete award. Aside from football greatness, Paul was a gym rat and won the Oregon weightlifting championships with a 355 lb. bench, 355 lb. power clean, and a 600 lb. squat. Paul camped at Boise State, Oregon, Oregon State, and Washington, but only received an offer from Boise State. He grayshirted and joined the squad in January of 2008.
Nickname
"The Man"
This seems fitting for Paul, as he's currently one of the only players on the squad I can totally picture being a lumberjack.
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Look-a-like
Killer Kowalski (after a chest hair transplant, of course)
Career highlights
Blocking back on Bronco team that finished 21st in the nation in rushing offense. Named to WAC All-Academic team in 2010. Made 4 starts at fullback in 2010 and 11 game appearances. Amazing 3 TDs in 4 receptions in 2009. As a blocking back in 2009, paved the way for Bronco rushing attack that amassed nearly 200 yards/game.
2012 prospectus
It's a shame that Dan Paul's countdown day falls on a Saturday—typically a day when readership is down. Why? Because Dan Paul is awesome and the world needs to know it. There's never really been a guy that I was glad had to use an injury redshirt except Dan Paul. That's how much I like this guy's game, intensity, and leadership. In short, we need Dan Paul more than ever this year and how friggin' sweet is it that we've got him? With the dearth of true senior leadership on this year's squad, and question marks surrounding the run game and quarterback, having Dan Paul return to the backfield somehow gives me a bit more comfort going in to the season. Paul has always been a gym rat, but this year he's packing an extra 15 lbs., making him a formidable 265 heading into Fall Camp...something that should scare linebackers across the Mountain West. Consider also that Paul led the team in Spring testing with a 405 lb. bench press, and it's safe to say that the converted LB is back to his old self after sititng out 2011 with a nagging groin injury (groin injuries, by law, must be classified as "nagging"). I know that Paul is unlikely to get many, if any, carries, and he's not a huge part of the passing attack either (unless we're playing Nevada), but his contributions on special teams and as a ferocious run and pass blocker mean that he's one of the most important guys on the team that won't be getting much publicity. The guy is just a football player. Like Richie Brockel before him, you have to just love what he brings to the team—that's why I'm having a bit of a sad that this will be Dan's last year with the team (and yes, I said this last year, too).
The following is a re-run from last year, but encapsulates what Dan Paul really brings to the team—intensity. Therefore, I leave you with the top 3 Dan Paul pictures of all-time. Sorry, the chest hair pic didn't make the cut.
#1
Location: FedEx Field. Dan Paul status: Mildly Pumped
#2
Game: Oregon 2009. Byron Hout status: Jawpunch'd. Dan Paul status: Non-plussed
#3
Game: Fiesta Bowl Part Deux. Doug Martin status: Airborne. Dan Paul status: Blowin' up Tank Carder
Completely NOT made up fact
Dan and his brother Joey host a radio show called Deep Vinyl 101 on Boise State Pulse Radio. The station plays classic rock and features the only DJs in the country who crush a small car.