Boise State roster countdown 2018: Day 20, Roman Kafentzis

Under 3 weeks now...that means, we’re just 2 weeks from game week features like the anagram roster, know your enemy, and whatever those other things are! Let’s celebrate this milestone by checking in on #20 on the Boise State football roster—Roman Kafentzis

#20, Roman Kafentzis, RS Freshman, SLB

Stats:

Height: 6’ 1”

Weight: 216 lbs (+16)

High School: Mater Dei High School, Santa Ana, CA

How’d he get to the Blue™?

By spurning the advances of the University of Hawaii and the legacy the Kafentzis name has left there. Five Kafentzises had signed up to play football for the Warriors, and Mr. Roman Kafentzis decided to break that mold just a little bit. Kafentzis was a silent commit for the Broncos for a little while before revealing himself. It was no fun having to wait for this Kafentzis to actually reveal himself, but it was worth the wait.

Though he was “only” a two-star athlete per Rivals he had an offer sheet that “rivals” many athletes (247 gave him a more sensible 3 stars). Some of his suitors were: Air Force, Army, Navy, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, New Mexico, and San Jose State. That is seven Mountain West schools, and I didn’t even mention the two Ivy League schools in Columbia and Brown. He’s a punishing hitter with brains to match.

Nickname

“Rascal”

I like alliteration. Do I really have to be logical on these this deep into the countdown?

Look-a-like

Casey Affleck after he goes on an all-protein diet.

Career Highlights

Voted Boise State’s Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year after the 2017 campaign. Was the fourth-leading tackler for Mater Dei his senior year, and helped lead the team to a Trinity League Title and the CIF-SS Division I finals. With all that he got First Team All-CIF selection as a linebacker.

2018 Prospectus

Kafentzis has experience playing both safety and linebacker and therefore is a natural fit for Boise State’s “nickel” position...which every other year is called the SAM linebacker position. Currently, we find ourselves in another “SAM year” and Kafentzis will be addressed as such. Slightly of note, Kekaula Kaniho—one of last season’s breakout true frosh is listed as a safety, so whether Kafentzis will be in contention with KK on his quest to ascend the depth chart is anyone’s guess (Kaniho and Desmond Williams were listed at #1 and #2, respectively on the early SLB depth chart).

Right now, the guys listed at SAM backer are Kafentzis, Desmond Williams, Brandon Hawkins, and Will Heffner. Of that group, Williams and Heffner actually have playing experience, with Williams obviously the most seasoned of the two. Hawkins arrived in the early spring and participated in spring camp and of course, Kafentzis impressed the coaches enough with his effort last season to be named Special Teams Scout Team Player of the Year. Really, when you look at it, the Broncos don’t really have any gaping holes at the position. If Kaniho indeed plays more SLB—great...he was a revelation in 2017. If Des Williams leads out the group—great...he was also fantastic in 2017. Heffner has looked capable at the position and Kafentzis and Hawkins have taken plenty of snaps.

Look for Roman to cut his Bronco teeth this season on special teams at a bare minimum, but I’m also expecting him to get some meaningful snaps at linebacker. Coach Avalos is sure to dial up some packages that highlight individual player strengths and keeping fresh legs on the field is also a hallmark of the Avalos regime, so don’t be surprised to see Roman outside of so-called “garbage time”. The kid has the talent to be a big-time contributor and it’s only a matter of time before he is.

Is he on Twitter?

He is, but he has a surplus of characters to be used. You can follow him at @Roman_Kafentzis if you so choose.

Completely made up fact

Roman’s parents bounced several middle names around when he was born, including “Empire” and “Candle”, but eventually settled on the semi-obscure “Aqueduct”