We've got just 37 days until kickoff, so today I'll highlight the player that wears the #37 jersey for the Broncos—Ryan Wolpin
#37, Ryan Wolpin, RS Freshman, RB
Stats
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 191 lbs.
High School/College: Santa Margarita High School, Santa Margarita, CA/Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
How'd he get to The Blue™?
Most walk-ons have plenty of ability, but Wolpin is the rare walk-on that leaves you scratching your head that he didn't have big time offers. Maybe his size isn't elite, but it seems his body-of-work would have been sufficient to nab a few high profile offers. All the better for Boise State, I guess.
Wolpin earned back-to-back first team all-conference honors in his final two prep campaigns at Santa Margarita. During that two year stretch, he rushed for nearly 3,000 yards (2,997) and 49 TDs. As a senior, Wolpin not only made all-conference, but was named all-region and all-state as well. His junior year (the better of the two) he garnered all-division, all-county and all-region honors along with his conference nod. After graduation in 2012, Wolpin attended the University of Northern Colorado, but redshirted and transferred to Boise State in time for 2014 spring practices.
Nickname
"Whoopin''"
Are we too deep into the countdown for nicknames this unimaginative? Nay!
Look-a-like
LBs coach Andy Avalos
Career highlights
2012 first team All-Trinity League honoree (on offense). Named 2012 all-region and all-state. Named All-CIF Southern Section Pac-5 Division, All-Pac-5 Division, first-team All-Trinity League and first-team all-county and Orange County All-Region honors as a junior in 2011.
2014 prospectus
Wolpin comes to the program at an interesting time for the running back position. The Broncos return all-conference pick Jay Ajayi, who's only a junior, but has already been called the "next great" Bronco back. At the same time, Boise State lost two talented backups in the offseason—Aaron Baltazar (who transferred to WSU after a dismissal) and Derrick Thomas—and has yet to find consistency behind Ajayi. Devan Demas was listed as the pre-camp #2 back on the depth chart, and at times looked impressive in 2013, but hasn't distanced himself in any huge fashion from contenders Jack Fields or walk-on Charles Bertoli (who I'd expect to land a scholly soon). Now the Broncos have true frosh Cory Young and Jeremy McNichols on campus and ready to go for Fall Camp, so those two could factor in to the RB race as well. So, where does this put Wolpin? Sorry, but I don't have a good answer for you.
Ryan's HS film and stats are impressive, but we didn't really get a chance to see him this Spring, so at best, he's probably looking at 5th on the depth chart. He has Spring practice as a slight leg up over the newcomers, but at this point, doesn't have quite Young's speed or McNichols' versatility, so we can call that a wash. Wolpin played some DB at SMHS, so has enough versatility to become a key contributor on special teams. Basically, he's coming in at a time when the RB position is deep AND young, so playing time not really an easy get. I like what the kid offers though, so I hope he finds his way onto the field in some capacity...even if it's as a garbage time hero.
Is he on Twitter?
Not that I know of...but it's nice to know I'M consistent, right?
Anybody check out Ryan Wolpin's highlight video (Boise State preferred walk-on)? That's is a STEAL of a walk-on.
— Drew Roberts (@mybrainissmart) January 11, 2014
Completely made up fact
Taking the literal interpretation of "walk on", Wolpin walked to Boise from Greeley, Colorado—in January, no less. Only two frost-bitten toes!