Boise State's 2014 recruiting class reviewed in exhaustive detail

Andy Bryson is an actual college football coach who graciously agreed to break down Boise State's 2014 recruiting class for us. I'm pretty sure I told him we couldn't pay in money, but maybe something got lost in translation.

I love the game of football so much that I decided to make it my career. While I was serving in the military, I met my best friend, Shawn Sherard, who is from Boise. Me, I am from football country, the South. Well, that's how I had seen it all my life anyways or at least until I got into coaching. I got my start as a coach when I was stationed in Maine at a local high school. I realized then that coaching was what I should be doing. I loved how as a coach I could help young boys become men by teaching them not only a game but how to deal with conflict when it looks you in the face. Since then my career has gone from coaching high school to semi-pro, D1 FBS, D1 FCS, NFL, and CFL football.

My reason for coaching still has yet to change. My favorite quote is, "The value of a man is not in his success, rather in his ability to overcome his failures," because in football, like life, you are faced with challenges. While you may fail at times, as long as you always pick yourself up, brush off the dirt, and keep moving, you will win.

Notes about recruiting and scouting

I love the recruiting aspect of football, because you really get to know the athletes. While I would love to recruit them all, the NCAA has says that I can't. So when you start recruiting, you have to keep in mind the style of football you play. For example, if you play a spread option offense, you don't want to be recruiting pocket QBs, or if you play a 4-3 defense, you do not want 300 lbs DEs rather you want quick DEs for that pass rush.

As you read my report of every signee that Boise will be bringing to camp this summer, please be aware that scouting is not an exact science. There are a number of things to consider when looking at prospects. For example, how good are the players that play against the prospect that you are looking at, or the coaching that the student has received, just to name a few.

My rating system

I do things a little different than most coaches when I evaluate students. I create a chart with 7-10 things I look at. Everything from speed to technique, and I rank each aspect as to what I think the student can do right now. Then I tally up the score and I find the average or mean. That is how I find a star value. This is really just a way I rank players for me to recruit. You see as a coach, you receive about 100 emails a day from coaches, scouts, player, and parents telling you how good these student athletes are.

I hope you enjoy my breakdown of each student athlete and what I feel he will bring to Bronco Nation in the coming years. With no disrespect to any prior recruiting staff, I do believe that this could be Boise's best class ever!

Star Ratings

• 9-10 5 star prospect
• 8-8.9 4 star prospect
• 7-7.9 3 star prospect
• 6-6.9 2 star prospect
• 5-5.9 1 star prospect
• >4.9 Unranked

Let the breakdowns begin!

Jerhen Ertel OL 6'6" 280 lbs JC

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/539249/athletics

Jerhen is a huge Left Tackle that can play both the pass and the run. I really like his ability to take on his block then get to the next level. I also like his speed and ability to get into the flats to block the screen passes. With these abilities, he will be instrumental in extending the short game so the long pass can come available if needed. Jerhen will need to learn to sink his hips a little and play with a shorter pad height. He has a tendency of "popping up" after the snap. This can be easily fixed when he gets to Boise and gets reps.

• Run Blocking 8
• Pass Blocking 8
• Screen Blocking 8
• Strength 7
• Speed 8
• Hand work 7
• Pad Height 6

Mean 7.43

Thomas Stuart QB 6'1" 200 lbs 4.7-40 JC

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/652487/highlights/1563368

Thomas is a quick QB that can get out of situations when the pocket breaks down with his feet. After all he runs a 4.7 forty yard dash as a QB! He has a strong arm. He is accurate and has good field vision. Thomas does tend to trough off the wrong foot at times and his mechanics need some work. Overall, Thomas is a great recruit and with some coaching could be a top QB prospect in a few years in the draft.

• Speed 9
• Accuracy 8
• Throwing Power 9
• Scrambling 9
• Footwork 7
• Mechanics 5
• Vision 8

Mean 7.86

Dylan Sumner-Gardner DB 6'2" 197 lbs 4.75-40

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/750959/dylan-sumner-gardner#

Dylan is fun to watch as a coach, but as a fan of football, he is pure excitement. His potential at the collegiate level has no boundaries. As a defensive coach, I love guys that lay a thundering hit down, and Dylan is no exception to that. He can punish the running back and make receivers wish they were playing his team. Dylan is also special because he can make a play on the ball like a receiver would. The only reason I can see why Dylan is not a five star athlete is because of his top speed. Overall, I can see Dylan making a huge impact on special teams his freshman year and taking over as the starter his sophomore year.

• Speed 7
• Power 10
• Tackling 9
• Hands 9
• Reaction 8
• Vision 9
• Instincts/Cover 9

Mean 8.71

Kaleb Hill OLB 6' 1.5" 210 lbs 4.57-40

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1698150/highlights/72432376

After evaluating Kaleb's film, he appears to be a real good signee for the Bronco's. Kaleb played Right End and mainly as a 5 tech in high school. This means he has gotten great experience as a pass rusher. I ranked Kaleb as a 4-star because he has good vision, wraps up the ball carrier, and is an instinctive player. He looks to have a solid playing speed because he is able to run down players to make tackles. The only downsides I can see of Kaleb is his weight, he needs to gain another 15-25 lbs, and he does not use his hands to get off blocks very well. However, both of these can be fixed in his freshman year. I feel that the Broncos may have gotten a steal from Texas in this young man.

• Speed 10
• Tackling 9
• Power 7
• Aggressiveness 9
• Reaction 8
• Vision 9
• Instincts 8

Mean 8.57

Troy Bacon OL 6'4" 275

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2764678/highlights/127441386

Troy is a big Tackle that can lay a punishing blow when he is moving up the field as a run blocker. I like his power and his ability to get to the next level. I think Troy has the potential to play Right Tackle on Sundays. Troy plays at the right height, which means his hips are flexed so he can draw his powerful blocks from his legs. Troy will have to learn to keep his hands and elbows in close to the body so he can re-direct defensive players when pass blocking. Overall, Troy is a huge prospect for the Bronco's offense for years to come.

• Run Blocking 9
• Pass Blocking 8
• Screen Blocking 8
• Strength 9
• Speed 8
• Hand work 7
• Pad Height 9

Mean 8.29

Chase Blakley TE 6'5" 240 lbs 4.7-40

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/502691/chase-blakley#

Chase is a strong and powerful TE that can make defenders miss tackles because he just runs through them. Chase is a big TE that has some great hands and can catch the ball in traffic. With his strength, Chase can also block for his backs well but with that said, I think that is the one area that he could possible improve. I liked his aggressive blocking abilities, but they were against smaller opponents, by no fault of his own, I am just intrigued as to what he is going to do in D1 football. I think Chase can contribute with Boise's offense as early as this next season.

• Speed 9
• Strength 10
• Hands 10
• Run Blocking 8
• Pass Blocking 8
• Elusiveness 9
• Vertical Threat 9

Mean 9

Derrick Boles DE 6'3" 287 lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2150742/highlights/110964379

Derrick has joined a long list of great players out of Lakeland, Fl. It seems like every year this town produces top talent to play major college ball. Derrick is no exception to that. Derrick can play both inside and out on the defensive front from the 3-tech to the 5-tech (this simply means he can play over the guard to the outside shoulder of the tackle). Derrick has great power and take on double team blocks. When Derrick shows up to camp this summer, he will need to begin work on the bags to improve his hands and spin moves. I think Derrick has great potential since he has played against some of the best players in high school week in and week out and won. I think that Derrick could be a red-shirt his freshman year so he can have some time to improve on his techniques. Overall, Derrick is going to be a strong player for the next few years for Boise.

• Speed 7
• Tackling 9
• Power 10
• Aggressiveness 10
• Technique 5
• Stance/takeoff 8
• Instincts 8

Mean 8.14

Alex Ogle QB 6'3" 192 lbs 4.8-40

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1048471/alex-ogle#

Alex has a strong arm and great vision. He stands tall in the pocket and is not afraid to take a hit. Alex can also make defenders miss because he can extend plays with his legs. His forty time is pretty good at a 4.8. However, he is still a traditional pocket passer but with extra to offer the program. Alex does have a bad tendency to put too much air under the ball with a high release. This can be easily corrected with repetitions. I think Alex could get some great work as a third team member while taking reps with the second team offence. Alex's potential can be unlimited if he can improve his release, otherwise he will throw a lot of interceptions.

• Speed 8
• Accuracy 9
• Throwing Power 9
• Pocket Presence 9
• Footwork 7
• Mechanics 5
• Vision 8

Mean 7.86

Cory Young RB 5'10" 185 lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/856874/highlights/63115377

Cory can do some exciting things for the Bronco's like SCORE TOUCHDOWNS. He can score form five yards out to make some impressive 60 yard touchdowns. I think Cory could have been highly underrated coming out of California a three star prospect. Cory does take a false step occasionally, but that's is nothing to worry about since I was trying to be "nit-picky" to find a flaw. I think if Cory shows up to camp this summer ready to play ball, then he will give the current backs on the team a run for their money and that he could be put into the rotation as early as this upcoming season or make a big impact on special teams at the minimum.

• Speed 8
• Vision 8
• Power 7
• Foot Work 8
• Elusiveness 9
• Hands 9
• Mechanics 8

Mean 8.14

Zavier Hoxie DB 5'11" 180

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/2000662/highlights/26984373

Zavier is an interesting prospect. He played RB as well as DB in high school and now he has been recruited to play DB for the Broncos. I have looked at all his film and I think he could have been a decent RB, but the more I have looked over his film, I think that his playing time as a tailback could have made him into a valuable DB prospect. The reason most guys play DB is because they are fast but can't catch, however Zavier can catch, cover, run, and lay a hit. He has all the tools to be a great prospect. I think with Zavier, we will just have to wait to see how he develops.

• Speed 8
• Power 8
• Tackling 9
• Hands 9
• Reaction 8
• Vision 6
• Instincts/Cover 7

Mean 7.86

Jabril Frazier DE 6'4" 225 lbs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMSc5NwYZnk

Jabril can become a very exciting student athlete to watch in the coming years at Boise. He is a tall and fast DE with unlimited potential. I think that he needs some work to improve his technique and handwork but his speed is going to be his biggest asset when he steps into the game. He is fast enough to get around Tackles and make QB's run for their lives. What excites me the most about Jabril is that he had 16 sack in California high school football!

• Speed 10
• Tackling 9
• Power 8
• Aggressiveness 8
• Technique 5
• Stance/takeoff 6
• Instincts 8

Mean 7.71

Rondell McNair DE 6'4" 255 lbs 4.6-40 JC

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/675857/rondell-mcnair#

Rondell has that rare combination of size and speed that every coach covets for a defensive lineman. Rondell has a 4.6 forty time mixed with a 6'4" 255 lbs frame he can be unstoppable in college. His technique needs a little work but by watching his film, I can see he has been coached very well. I do believe that id Rondell shows up to camp in shape and ready to compete, he could get considerable playing time, if not be starting by the end of this season.

• Speed 10
• Tackling 10
• Power 10
• Aggressiveness 10
• Technique 5
• Stance/takeoff 8
• Instincts 8

Mean 8.71

David Moa DE 6'3" 235 lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/3342109/highlights/85595395

David is a big powerful DE that can overpower his opponents and make some bone crushing tackles. I would like to see David put on a little more weight and improve his footwork a little this summer. David played every "big boy" position while in high school; OL, LB, TE, DT and DE. I think that this is what will make him even a better DL in the future.

• Speed 5
• Tackling 9
• Power 10
• Aggressiveness 10
• Technique 7
• Stance/takeoff 7
• Instincts 7

Mean 7.86

Sean Modster WR 6' 187

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/584296/highlights/111438379

Sean looks to be a very good acquisition by the Bronco's. I think he can be used as the slot receiver and thin out a defense to make a one-on-one matchup in the trenches so the run game will open up. He has great hands and has great vision to see the ball all the way in before he turns up field. If I had to find a weakness that Sean possesses I guess it would be his top speed. But if he is played in the slot, and with all of his up sides, he could be very dangerous for defenses.

• Speed 7
• Strength 6
• Hands 10
• Vision 9
• Rout Running 10
• Elusiveness 9
• Vertical Threat 8

Mean 8.43

Tennessee Suesue C 6'1" 295

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1678392/tennessee-suesue#

I like Tennesse's ability to get to the second level to block for the RB. I like his power and speed. I would like to see him improve his punches and keeping his elbows in close to his body. From what I can see, Tennessee could develop into a very good center in the years to come.

• Run Blocking 10
• Pass Blocking 9
• Screen Blocking 8
• Strength 9
• Speed 8
• Hand work 6
• Pad Height 8

Mean 8.29

Andres Preciado OL 6'6" 245

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/468435/andres-preciado#

Andres is a big Tackle that has lots of room for growth. I think Andres could be redshirted his first year at Boise so he can have some extra time with the coaching staff. I think he has all the potential to be a great Tackle but he will need to gain some muscle weight. With this said, it is still only February and camp begins in August. He still has a lot of time to grow and improve his strength.

• Run Blocking 7
• Pass Blocking 7
• Screen Blocking 8
• Strength 5
• Speed 8
• Hand work 6
• Pad Height 7

Mean 6.86

Jeremy McNichols WR 5' 10" 180 lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/878843/jeremy-mcnichols#

Jeremy is a natural WR that has great hands, runs great routs, watches the ball all the way into his hands, and he has great breakaway speed. I think Jeremy could be the go-to receiver and deep threat guy. Jeremy played RB, FS, and WR in high school and I think all that playing time has helped in the molding young this young man. Jeremy has the potential to be playing this upcoming season even if it is on special teams. Jeremy could really benefit from an early playing career at Boise.

• Speed 10
• Strength 6
• Hands 9
• Vision 9
• Rout Running 10
• Elusiveness 9
• Vertical Threat 9

Mean 8.86

David Lucero TE 6'5" 215 lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/1120435/highlights/61807375

I like David as a TE, because he can do so much as a receiver and will be a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare when it comes to match-ups. The reason I graded him low was because his film did not show and good pass blocks or him having any good blocks protecting a RB. As a TE, blocking is his other duty. However, I do not think David was recruited to block, instead he was recruited to create miss matches in the defense.

• Speed 7
• Strength 5
• Hands 10
• Run Blocking 4
• Pass Blocking 4
• Elusiveness 9
• Vertical Threat 9

Mean 6.86

Antoine Turner DE 6'3" 266lbs 4.8-40 JC

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1909548/antoine-turner#

Antoine has a big frame and looks like he could add some more weight and play inside as a DT. He had good hand work and footwork and looks to have been coached very well at his JC. I really like his aggressive playing ability. He reminds me of the old ‘90s Miami U. football players. I think it will be interesting to watch Antoine these next few years and see how good he gets.

• Speed 5
• Tackling 9
• Power 8
• Aggressiveness 10
• Technique 7
• Stance/takeoff 7
• Instincts 7

Mean 7.57

Kekoa Nawahine DB 6'3" 190 lbs

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/o/811038/highlights/84922399

Kekoa is a hometown boy from Meridian that will have an opportunity to play at Boise State. He has the size and ability to be a good Safety at the colligate level. He played WR and Safety in high school, so he has gotten a great chance to soften his hands up to be a ball hawking safety. I really like his swagger and his hitting power. I also like his aggressiveness and his ability to stop the run. When he reports to camp this summer he has a couple of things to work on such as his footwork and technique. But I think he will be just fine.

• Speed 7
• Power 8
• Tackling 9
• Hands 10
• Reaction 8
• Vision 7
• Instincts/Cover 7

Mean 8

Summary

Boise State has recruited a number of really good high school athletes that have the ability to contribute as early as this next season. I feel that this class could be Boise's best recruiting class ever, and has the possibility to have several of the guys become NFL prospects in just a few short years. Now that Boise has a chance to play for a National Championship, this class could be the class to get Bronco Nation to the big game. But for now, Bronco Nation will just have to wait until August to get the first accurate reports from camp.

The overall grade for this year's class is a 3.5 out of 5.

Questions?