Boise State Bronco’s Class of 2016 Recruiting Guide
The class of 2016 is the third recruiting class under the current coaching staff, but it will be their first year without major obstacles. The 2014 class was compiled in only five weeks, though it ended up being a well-rounded class on paper. While the 2015 class was also solid and built over a full year, the number of graduating seniors limited available spots for incoming recruits. The class of 2016 will have neither of these restrictions.
Scholarship Numbers:
These are always very fluid but from the look of the roster it appears the 2015 roster had 60 scholarship players after subtracting the players who have left (not counting the 4 mid-year enrollees). They currently have 24 total commits (23 public, 1 silent). In addition, Boise has taken one grad transfer. However, 1 of the commits is taking an LDS mission and will not count towards this class. With the current information, it seems as if there are about 1-2 more spots available and the coaching staff seems to be targeting: 2 more players on the DL.
However, the number becomes even more fluid when factoring in potential gray-shirts and attrition. Also the staff could count the 4 mid-year enrollees as part of the 2016 class, which would open up additional spots, but that is hard to account for without knowing.
Note: Players with Boise State offers who are committed to other schools are not included.
Quarterback:
- Departing: Alex Ogle (transfer)
- Number of players expected to be taken: 1
- Commits: Jake Constantine
- Note: The commitment of Constantine fills the position quota here, with the goal being to take one quarterback each class. While Boise State is his first and only offer, it seems his talent is not a question. Jake put up numbers his senior year comparable to the Broncos former QB commit, Micah Wilson. However, Constantine did so in the southern California area, where more D1 prospects play. The Broncos may have gotten a steal with this commit, but if nothing else, they secured a quarterback at a time when depth was a big need.
Running Backs:
- Departing: Jack Fields, Kelsey Young
- Number of players expected to be taken: 2
- Commits: Alexander Mattison, Robert Mahone
- Note: Like the quarterback, running back is a position where at least one recruit is needed in each class. This year, given the lack of depth and experience at the position (even more lacking now with the losses of Bertoli and Sheard) they are taking two this class. With the commitment of Mattison, Boise lands the highest ever ranked RB. It is expected for one of the running backs, most likely Mattison, to compete for playing time next year.
Wide Receivers:
- Departing: Shane Williams-Rhodes, Troy Ware, Terrell Johnson (not on scholarship)
- Number of players expected to be taken: 3
- Commits: Julian Carter, Cedric Wilson (JC)
- Offers: Bubba Ogbebor, John Okwoli, Steffon McKnight, Khris Vaughn
- Note: This is another position that will probably end up taking an extra player after the injuries to Ware and Tanner Shipley and the dismissal of Rick Smith. The past two recruiting classes, the coaching staff has focused on speed over size, but are appearing to balance it out more this year. Junior Adams values speed over size, but Carter fits their need for a bigger outside receiver and still has some speed. Given who they are already targeting, it seems like the Broncos are still looking to land a high-impact pass catcher to pair with their QB talent over the next few years. Wilson gives them length, experience and big play potential. He should play immediately.
Tight Ends:
- Departing: Holden Huff, Jake Hardee, David Lucero (dismissed from team)
- Number of players expected to be taken: 2
- Commitments: Nick Crabtree, John Bates
- Note: This is currently an area of strength for the Broncos, given the depth they have built up in the past three recruiting classes (Roh/Dhaenens, Blakley/Lucero, Pistone), with none older than red-shirt sophomores. Crabtree looks to be someone who can come in and develop behind a strong group of players. He should be a mauler in the running game and has good hands even if he lacks top speed.
Offensive Linemen:
- Departing: Jerhen Ertel, Rees Odhiambo, Marcus Henry
- Number of players expected to be taken: 4
- Commits: Kole Bailey, Ezra Cleveland, Austin Dixon, Donte Harrington
- Offers: Joe Kupcikevicius (JC), Lawrence Edwards
- Note: The recruiting philosophy at this position has been to get athletic and agile guys and then pack on the weight their first two years in the program. This has produced some solid linemen for them in the past. However, they are altering this a bit as the staff has gotten commitments from linemen with lots of length as well weighing in at 280+, which is reflected in their commit list. They have done a really nice job building their depth back up and a few of them have a chance to play within their first few years on campus.
The class of 2016 is the third recruiting class under the current coaching staff, but it will be their first year without major obstacles. The 2014 class was compiled in only five weeks, though it ended up being a well-rounded class on paper. While the 2015 class was also solid and built over a full year, the number of graduating seniors limited available spots for incoming recruits. The class of 2016 will have neither of these restrictions.
Scholarship Numbers:
These are always very fluid but from the look of the roster it appears the 2015 roster had 60 scholarship players after subtracting the players who have left (not counting the 4 mid-year enrollees). They currently have 24 total commits (23 public, 1 silent). In addition, Boise has taken one grad transfer. However, 1 of the commits is taking an LDS mission and will not count towards this class. With the current information, it seems as if there are about 1-2 more spots available and the coaching staff seems to be targeting: 2 more players on the DL.
However, the number becomes even more fluid when factoring in potential gray-shirts and attrition. Also the staff could count the 4 mid-year enrollees as part of the 2016 class, which would open up additional spots, but that is hard to account for without knowing.
Note: Players with Boise State offers who are committed to other schools are not included.
Quarterback:
- Departing: Alex Ogle (transfer)
- Number of players expected to be taken: 1
- Commits: Jake Constantine
- Note: The commitment of Constantine fills the position quota here, with the goal being to take one quarterback each class. While Boise State is his first and only offer, it seems his talent is not a question. Jake put up numbers his senior year comparable to the Broncos former QB commit, Micah Wilson. However, Constantine did so in the southern California area, where more D1 prospects play. The Broncos may have gotten a steal with this commit, but if nothing else, they secured a quarterback at a time when depth was a big need.
Running Backs:
- Departing: Jack Fields, Kelsey Young
- Number of players expected to be taken: 2
- Commits: Alexander Mattison, Robert Mahone
- Note: Like the quarterback, running back is a position where at least one recruit is needed in each class. This year, given the lack of depth and experience at the position (even more lacking now with the losses of Bertoli and Sheard) they are taking two this class. With the commitment of Mattison, Boise lands the highest ever ranked RB. It is expected for one of the running backs, most likely Mattison, to compete for playing time next year.
Wide Receivers:
- Departing: Shane Williams-Rhodes, Troy Ware, Terrell Johnson (not on scholarship)
- Number of players expected to be taken: 3
- Commits: Julian Carter, Cedric Wilson (JC)
- Offers: Bubba Ogbebor, John Okwoli, Steffon McKnight, Khris Vaughn
- Note: This is another position that will probably end up taking an extra player after the injuries to Ware and Tanner Shipley and the dismissal of Rick Smith. The past two recruiting classes, the coaching staff has focused on speed over size, but are appearing to balance it out more this year. Junior Adams values speed over size, but Carter fits their need for a bigger outside receiver and still has some speed. Given who they are already targeting, it seems like the Broncos are still looking to land a high-impact pass catcher to pair with their QB talent over the next few years. Wilson gives them length, experience and big play potential. He should play immediately.
Tight Ends:
- Departing: Holden Huff, Jake Hardee, David Lucero (dismissed from team)
- Number of players expected to be taken: 2
- Commitments: Nick Crabtree, John Bates
- Note: This is currently an area of strength for the Broncos, given the depth they have built up in the past three recruiting classes (Roh/Dhaenens, Blakley/Lucero, Pistone), with none older than red-shirt sophomores. Crabtree looks to be someone who can come in and develop behind a strong group of players. He should be a mauler in the running game and has good hands even if he lacks top speed.
Offensive Linemen:
- Departing: Jerhen Ertel, Rees Odhiambo, Marcus Henry
- Number of players expected to be taken: 4
- Commits: Kole Bailey, Ezra Cleveland, Austin Dixon, Donte Harrington
- Offers: Joe Kupcikevicius (JC), Lawrence Edwards
- Note: The recruiting philosophy at this position has been to get athletic and agile guys and then pack on the weight their first two years in the program. This has produced some solid linemen for them in the past. However, they are altering this a bit as the staff has gotten commitments from linemen with lots of length as well weighing in at 280+, which is reflected in their commit list. They have done a really nice job building their depth back up and a few of them have a chance to play within their first few years on campus.
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