In exactly one month from now, I'll be getting absolutely no work done at the office, because I'll be too pumped up for the opener. I just thought I'd let my boss know now.
We've got 30 days until kickoff, but that number has yet to be officially assigned, so today I'll highlight one of the few remaining numberless souls—Chaz Anderson
#30 Chaz Anderson, True Freshman, CB
Stats
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 164 lbs.
High School: Loyola High School, Los Angeles, CA
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Chaz comes from the budding defensive back pipeline known as Loyola High School. Last year's breakout frosh Lee Hightower was just a year ahead of Anderson at Loyola, who in turn is a year ahead of 2013 offer-holder Cameron Walker (we'll see if Boise State is in his final 3 this week). Anderson was a second team all-state selection as a senior and a first team All-Serra League performer. He registered 22 tackles and a PBU in 2011. Anderson shone on offense as well, racking up 356 yards receiving on just 14 receptions (a 25 YPC average). As a junior, Anderson made 11 grabs for 123 yards and logged 2 INTs on defense. As it seems is the case more and more lately, Anderson chose the Broncos over an offer from San Diego State.
Nickname
"Hands"
I realize that Chaz "Hands" Anderson sounds an awful lot like "Jazz Hands" Anderson. Precisely.
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Look-a-like
Sugar Shane Mosley
Career highlights
Two-year letter-winner in football and track and field. First team all-league and second team all-state performer as a senior.
2012 prospectus
Anderson is coming in to the program at a good time. Our top two corners are seniors, and have histories of injuries...so even if they both stay healthy this year (knock on wood), they'll be out the door in 2013 and quality depth will need to be in place for the team's long-term secondary outlook. This year, the secondary turnover has mainly hit the safety position, where 3 seniors were lost and at least 2 underclassmen will be asked to shoulder the load for the season. Just as the success of this year's safeties will be determined largely by how much they've been able to absorb with their minimal amount of reps and time with program, so too will next year's crop of fresh corners rely on the experience picked up this season by the likes of Chaz Anderson and Donte Deayon. They aren't sure to be starters in 2013, but will almost assuredly be utilized in dime packages and the like and be needed for depth at the positions right away. The Broncos might be able to redshirt Anderson this year with Makinde, Douglas and Borgman providing relief to the two starters, but any hint of an injury and he could be "called up", so to speak, to the travelling squad. I think that both Anderson and Deayon are good enough to play immediately, but I'm sure the coaching staff would like the luxury of not needing to burn another secondary player's redshirt in 2013 unless it's unavoidable. If the top of the depth chart remains healthy...it's avoidable. That said, I see Anderson really pushing hard for a starting spot in 2013. Borgman, Taylor and Gavins will all have moved on and, assuming Makinde gets one of the starting spots, Anderson will have a good battle with Deayon, Douglas, or possibly Agbaroji (currently at safety) to lock down the other spot. Then, of course, Makinde's presumptive spot will be open in 2014, so again the youth coalition will be called upon to fill the void. Anderson will have plenty of opportunity to see the field before his time in Boise is through.
Completely made up fact
Anderson's 25 YPC average as a senior was pretty good, but did you know that I had a 108 YPC average with Bo Jackson on Tecmo Bowl? Still slightly below the 112 YPC national average with Jackson.
Clearly Ed Hochuli in the background