One of my favorite things that separates Boise State football from Idaho football (besides the smell) is how the Broncos emphasize Idaho high schoolers in recruiting. There are 19 current Broncos from Idaho; there are 13 current Vandals from Idaho. I'd like to also assume that Boise State gets the get the better Idahoans to play here, and this is 100 percent true with Meridian's Kekoa Nawahine. ESPN has him as the No. 4 prospect in Idaho and one of two in the Top Five to pick Boise State (the other is Khalil Oliver, for now). The Vandals have ... squirrel?
FYI, we have to wait two years (LDS mission) to add Nawahine to the list of local legends.
Vitals
Position: Athlete
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190 pounds
Hometown: Meridian, Idaho (Rocky Mountain HS)
- Scout.com says: 2 stars
- Rivals says: 2 stars
- ESPN says: 3 stars, 76 rating, No. 132 wide receiver nationwide
Non-vitals
Mark Johnson pseudonym: Coca Cola Never mind
Chris Berman nickname: M-m-m-my Kekoa
Anagram: Awake No Hankie
Latest tweet:
I forgot how funny megamind is
— Kekoa Nawahine (@kekoakapono) January 23, 2014
He is so right.
Scouting report
Via his high school football coach:
He has a really high football acumen. He's really, really smart on the field. He understands the game. When he's out there playing for us, it's like having another coach on the field. Me, I like him as a wide receiver. I know that he fits with what they do schematically on either side, which is why they are taking him as an athlete.
The Broncos are leaning toward playing him at safety.
Boise State depth chart at safety
Jeremy Ioane, senior
Darian Thompson, junior
Dillon Lukehart, junior
Taylor Loffler, junior
Dylan Sumner-Gardner, true freshman
Chanceller James, sophomore
* = presumed starters in italics
Chance that Chris Petersen flips him to UW
Fairly low. Petersen was the one who offered Nawahine, and Pete has made efforts to bring almost all his former offers to Seattle. Nawahine has been all quiet on the Washington front, but it could be because Petersen realizes he has two full years to flip him so why hurry.