2018 Boise State Recruiting Roundup: 2/4/18

Yet another Bronco brings home a Super Bowl ring! Jay Ajayi and the Eagles beat the Patriots 41-33. Lots of ups and downs in that game, but awesome to see Jay get the win after a weird mid-season trade from the Dolphins. Have to say that Jay came out on top there.

We got one new recruit this week. Let’s check in on him at the bottom.

Andrew VanBuren, RB, Caminade HS (West Hills, CA)

Andrew earned Mission League Offensive Player of the Year honors after running for 1,259 yards on 224 carries for 22 total TDs. That’s good for 5.6 yards per carry. His final stat line in the loss to Orange Lutheran was 15 carries for 40 yards. A final highlight video for AVB has not been posted yet.

Andrew was also named to the Daily News All-Area 1st Team.

Scale Igiehon, DT, Del Valle HS (Del Valle, TX)

Final season stats for Scale have not yet been updated. He had 27 total tackles, 13 TFL 3 sacks and 5 hurries through 5 games (9/29).

Kukea Emmsley, DE, Kapolei HS (Kapolei, HI)

Kapolei finished the season 5-6, 2-5 in league play. Final stats for Kukea have not yet been compiled.

Emmsley earned a 4th star this week based on his play preparing for the Polynesian Bowl on Saturday. Team Makai won 31-14.

Brandon Hawkins, LB, Georgetown HS (Georgetown, TX)

Not including the playoff loss to College Station, Brandon had 105 total tackles, 12 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 safeties and a blocked field goal.

DJ Schramm, LB, Clovis West HS (Fresno, CA)

Season stats for DJ are incomplete. Below is the most recent highlight tape for DJ, though I don’t think it contains the most recent game.

Philip Mills, LB, Paloma Valley HS (Menifee, CA)

Mills finished with 91 total tackles, 55 solo, 14 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 1 INT and 1 fumble recover.

Keeghan Freeborn, DT, Rocky Mountain HS (Meridian, ID)

No stats were kept for Keeghan as he played offensive line for the Grizzlies. He will most likely play on the defensive line for the Broncos.

Kekaniokoa Gonzalez, C, Mater Dei HS (Santa Ana, CA)

Mater Dei wrecked De La Salle on Saturday to complete their 15-0 season and secure a spot atop the national rankings. The finish as the California State Champs and the #1 team in the nation.

No stats are kept for Koa as he is an offensive lineman. He has some stats on defense, but that isn’t where he played primarily or where he will play for the Broncos. Congratulations Koa!

Koa played for Team Mauka in the Polynesian Bowl on Saturday, falling to Team Makai 31-14.

Cole Ramseyer, TE, Coeur d’Alene HS (Coeur d’Alene, ID)

Cole had 43 receptions for 602 yards and 5 TDs.

Demitri Washington, STUD, Santa Fe Christian Schools (Solana Beach, CA)

Washington has not played since 9/30 after tearing his labrum. In the 5 games he played, he had 45 total tackles, 29 solo, 7 TFL, 10 QB hurries and 5 sacks. He also rushed for 243 yards on 32 carries (7.6 ypc) and 4 TDs. Below are his midseason highlights.

John Hightower, WR, Hinds C.C. (Raymond, MS)

John had 13 receptions for 234 yards and 4 TDs for the season.

Stefan Cobbs, WR, Fossil Ridge HS (Keller, TX)

Stefan finished the season with 67 receptions for 1,332 yards and 24 TDs.

Stefan was honored as a District 3-6A MVP selection his senior year at Fossil Ridge.

He continues to garner post-season awards as well, earning the distinction of being the #2 WR in the DFW area.

Billy Bowens, WR, Redlands East Valley (Redlands, CA)

Billy finished his season with 41 receptions for 896 yards (21.9 ypc) and 10 TDs. He had 1,255 all-purpose yards for the season.

Khalil Shakir, WR, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, CA)

Vista Murrieta finished the season 4-7 after a 7-49 defeat in the first round of the playoffs to Mater Dei. Khalil finished the season with 102 carries for 906 yards (8.9ypc) and 7 TDs and 17 receptions for 243 yards (15.5 ypc) and 2 more TDs.

Shakir caused a stir during practice for the Polynesian Bowl as well.

Garrett Curran, OL, Granite Hills (El Cajon, CA)

While Garrett played both DT and tackle for Granite Hills, he will play OL for the Broncos. OL stats are not kept. Midseason highlights are below for Garrett as final season highlights aren’t up yet.

Chris Mitchell, DB, Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, CA)

Chris’ Mission Viejo squad lost to none other than Koa Gonzalez’s Mater Dei Monarchs in the semi-finals of the CIF Southern Section Playoffs, ending their season at 12-1 and ranked #6 in CA. Chris had 4 tackles and 1 TFL in the loss. As a senior, Chris had 50 total tackles, 35 solo, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumbles recovered and 7 pass deflections.

Danny Smith, RB, Oxnard (Oxnard, CA)

Danny’s Oxnard team finished their year 4-6, 2-2 in league play. Danny finished his senior season with 176 carries for 1,610 yards (9.1 ypc) and 21 total TDs.

He earned Offensive Player of the Year from his team. He committed the day before the early signing period began. I’ve seen Danny listed anywhere form 5’10.5” and 202 lbs to 6’ and 210lbs. He passed on offers from SDSU, Hawaii, UNM and UC Davis.

Cameron Thomas, WR, Westwood (Austin, TX)

Cameron’s Warrior team finished 5-6 on the season and 3-3 in districts. Cameron finished the year with 80 catches for 1,346 yards (16.8 ypc) and 20 total TDs.

Cam was a surprise commit who committed the same day he signed. 5 WRs seems like a lot in this class, but we did lose 5 to graduation and attrition (Ogbebor, Carter, Jefferson, Barr and Wilson). I anticipate that we will only take a couple next season. I also would image 2-3 of the WR in this class will play next season, but that remains to be seen.

He passed on an offer from Oregon State and a handful of FCS schools. He’s listed at 6’4 and 200 lbs, providing some formidable size for the Broncos.

Cam also took his official visit this weekend. He’s a big dude...

Tyric Lebeauf, DB, Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, CA)

Tyric finished with 47 total tackles, 32 solo, 1 sack, 1 TFL and 4 interceptions after his Jackrabbits went 9-3 overall and 6-0 in league play. They lost to Mater Dei in the playoffs.

Tyric was a silent commit who made himself known on signing day. That gives us two DBs in this class with 3 lost to graduation/attrition (Hartsfield, RHD and Michael Young). We have some depth there, so I am not sure if we take another DB between now and February.

Tyric is listed at 6’2 and 178lbs and passed on some solid offers from Rutgers, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Washington State, Colorado State, Wyoming and SJSU to be a Broncos.

Tyric visited along with Cam this weekend. They both look like they had a good time.

Jaylon Henderson, QB, Trinity Valley CC (Kingwood, TX)

Jaylon fills a much needed role for us. His Cardinals finished 9-3 overall, losing in their regional championship against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. They did, however, win the Heart of Texas Bowl against Garden City CC. Jaylon was 100-187 (53.5%) for 1,081 yards with 9 TDs and 1 INT. He also had 85 carries for 385 yards and another 3 TDs.

Jaylon had an offer from a school called Texas Permian Basin, but I’m not sure where that is. We definitely needed to get an experienced QB to work into the lineup.

Jaylon arrived in Boise this week as well.

Riley Smith, QB, Bartram Trail (Jacksonville, FL)

Riley’s Bears finished the season 11-4 and 4-0 in districts, making it clear to the FHSAA Playoff Championships, but fell to Venice 37-24.

Riley had an impressive offer list with over 30 offers, including nearly every Ivy League school, Cincinnati and Pitt to name a few. He finished his senior season 124-195 (63.6%) for 1,554 yards, 18 TD and 7 INTs. He also added in 99 carries for 620 yards (6.3 ypc) and another 8 TDs. Keep in mind that Riley split time with 4* QB and Auburn signee Joey Gatewood.

Scott Matlock, DE, Homedale (Homedale, ID)

Scott’s Trojans lost to Shelley in the quarterfinals of the 3A IHSAA Playoffs, finishing the season 7-3 and 3-1 in conference.

Scott finished his senior season with 57 total tackles, 30 solo, 13 TFL and 5 sacks. He also had 22 receptions for 330 yards and 5 TDs. Those stats earned him a spot of the 3A first team defense and 2nd team all-state as an offensive lineman.

Scott has an amazing story with a great write-up by Dave Southorn here.

Dallas Holliday, DT, Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, CA)

Dallas’ Lions had a solid year, going 12-3 on the year, losing to Helix in the Divison 1-AA CIF State Championship Playoffs Regional Finals.

Previously committed to SDSU then CSU, he thought better of it and committed to the Broncos. Nothing like a double flip, am I right? He passed on offers from Boston College and Colorado as well. I’m thinking Dallas played OL his senior year as I’m not seeing any defensive stats for him for his senior season. I could totally be wrong though, so if anyone is aware of any tackles or sacks, let me know.

Signing day is this Wednesday. I honestly don’t know what to anticipate this year. The early signing period has made things super wonky and the coaches have been playing their cards close to the vest. We could get a few surprise commits or we could stay exactly where we are. If we get a couple, win. If we stay where we are, this class is in VERY solid shape. Should be a fun couple of days. GO BRONCOS!