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Boise State numerical roster countdown 2016: Day 13, Jeremy McNichols

By Drew Roberts
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If my math is correct (and it usually isn't), we now have less than two weeks left until kickoff in the bayou. What better way to mark that occasion then by looking at #13 on the Bronco roster—Jeremy McNichols

#13, Jeremy McNichols, Junior, RB

McNichols

Stats

Height: 5'9"

Weight: 212 lbs (+7)

High School: Santa Margarita Catholic High School, Santa Margarita, CA

How'd he get to The Blue™?

McNichols almost made a terrible mistake and signed with the Utes, but ultimately came to the blue side after a late January official visit to Boise State. McNichols earned first team all-league, all-region and all-state honors after a stellar senior season where he racked up 989 all-purpose yards and scored 10 TDs. As a junior, McNichols had 366 all-purpose yards and scored 4 TDs and as a sophomore, he had 414 receiving yards and scored 5 TDs. McNichols also held offers from Utah (obviously), Colorado State, and Fresno State.

Nickname

"The Weapon"

Oh, an actual nickname. Cool, I guess.

Look-alike

flintlock

A weapon—this year, a flintlock pistol, believe it or not.

Career Highlights

Named to Doak Walker Award watch list for 2016. Named to Maxwell Award watchlist for 2016. Named to All-MWC second team after starting 12 games and rushing for 1,337 yards and 20 TDs. Appeared in 9 games for the Broncos as a true freshman in 2014 and scored two touchdowns. Named first team all-state, all-region, and all-conference as a senior in 2013. First team All-Moore League in 2012. 1,811 career all-purpose yards and 19 TDs.

2016 Prospectus

It's kinda hard to believe that The Weapon (or "McWeapon" as more industrious people call him) is already a junior after getting just one full season of his offensive weaponry, but you can't say he hasn't lived up to his nickname or his billing after he scored 26 total TDs in 2015 (tied for second in the nation). Now, the question surrounding the talented RB will be if he can put together another year as stellar as his sophomore campaign—and if he does, if it will lead to another early departure. McNichols provided nearly 1,800 yards of offense for the Broncos last season, and when he was absent from the field (as he was against Utah State), the drop-off was rather noticeable. The Broncos have plenty of talent in the backfield, but since Jay Ajayi's departure, none has looked quite as flashy or tough to bring down as the junior. With 8 RBs in fall camp (EIGHT), one would hope the Broncos could find another back with similar enough skills to give McNichols a rest here and there, but in the event they don't (unlikely, in my opinion)—McNichols has at least shown his durability (291 offense touches a season ago).

The already-stout back appears to be packing about 7 lbs. more on his frame than he was a year ago, so that should help a little bit with some of the season-long wear an every-down back like him will face, so I think the sky might be the limit this season if he can stay healthy. Of course, finding a capable back-up (or two) will aid McNichols in that quest, so those RB2 and RB3 battles are every bit as intriguing to me as just what he'll do this year for an encore. It's going to be hard to improve on 5.6 yards/carry and 111 yards/game, but with a more-than-capable passing game, a season of experience, and an O-line with something to prove, The Weapon could do just that.

Is he on Twitter?

Yeah, but don't expect to hear much from him for at least, oh...13 days.

Completely made up fact

To maintain his muscle mass, McNichols consumes just one scoop of whey protein every day. Here's his scoop:

scoop