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Recruiting Update 2017 Recruiting Guide

MikeWittmann

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Nov 29, 2014
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Boise State Bronco’s Class of 2017 Recruiting Guide

The Broncos currently have fifteen verbal commitments (counting players who signed in December) and remain in contention for many other quality players. Coaches will be able to resume in-home visits with players early in January and there will be three key weekends where recruits can go to Boise on official visits. Though new offers at this point are much less likely, they could still occur depending on how the process starts to play out for the top recruits on their board.

Keep in mind that numbers in a class are always fluid and it’s hard to tell how many they will take in a class each year. There are a few things to keep in mind though. 1) In the Harsin era, Boise State always takes more incoming freshmen than they have departing seniors. This is to account for the inevitable attrition that usually takes place as players transfer or retire from the team. 2) Any grayshirts commits will not count towards this class, but Riley Whimpey will be returning from his LDS mission and count towards this class. 3) Unlike last year, none of the recruits who signed in December and are joining the team for the spring semester are expected to “green-shirt” or count towards the previous year’s class.

All that being said, the Broncos began the year with 84 scholarship players. Numbers are fluid and not exact but here is an estimate. With the players transferring out, being dismissed from the team, leaving for the NFL or graduating, plus the five players signed in December, Boise State has 65 scholarship players. That would leave 20 scholarships remaining for this class. With 10 players already committed verbally in the 2017 class (adding Whimpey, not counting Birch or Moore), the Broncos can take around 10 more players this cycle. Out of those, the Broncos will probably be targeting: 2 RB, 1 WR, 1 OL, 2 DE, 1 LB, 2 S and maybe a DT.

This guide is current as of 12/29 (Players committed to other schools are not listed under offers)

Quarterback:

- Departing: Thomas Stuart

- Number of players they will take: 2

- Commits: Chase Cord, Rathen Ricedorff

- Offers:

- Note: This position was the biggest area of need for the Broncos in this class and they were able to fill it was a great prospect in Chase Cord. He also has the potential to start for the Broncos in a few years. He had a dominant senior high school season and is a playmaker with his arm and his legs. Ricedoff will provide immediate depth and will bring another dual-threat player to the position.

Running Back:

- Departing: Devan Demas, Cory Young, Jeremy McNichols

- Number of players they will take: 2

- Still in play: Cyrus Habibi-Likio, Dom Williams, Tariq Hollandsworth

- Note: Boise State is showing they can develop productive running backs with Ajayi and now McNichols putting up huge seasons in the Broncos’ system. This makes Boise State an attractive place for running back recruits and the Broncos are targeting quality backs in Habibi-Likio and Williams.

Wide Receiver:

- Departing: Thomas Sperbeck, Chaz Anderson, Taylor Pope

- Number of players they will take: 3

- Commits: Cartrell Thomas, Bryan Thompson

- Still in play: Nolan McDonald, JC Angulo

- Note: The coaching staff did a great job landing their first four-star WR commit in Thompson,. Commit Thomas is a versatile pass-catcher and will add a dynamic presence to their offense, playing in a style similar to Shane Williams-Rhodes. McDonald possesses great athleticism (he plays quarterback in high school) and Angulo is a big deep threat who makes good adjustments to the ball on his routes. Either of these two players would be add quality WRs to their roster.

Tight End:

- Departing: None

- Number of players they will take: 0-1

- Offers: Kade Greeley

- Note: With no tight end graduating, it’s possible the staff doesn’t take one in this class. While it would make sense, it’s also possible they take one and try to get into a routine of having at least one in each class. Greeley is a tall receiving recruit and would add another dimension to the passing game.

Offensive Linemen:

- Departing: Steve Baggett, Travis Averill, Mario Yakoo, Will Adams, Kellen Burh

- Number of players they will take: 4

- Commits: Mike Young, John Ojukwu, Zach Troughton (JC)

- Still in play: Onesimus Lutu-Clarke, Sean Seaward, Isiah Moore (JC)

- Note: Due to the past two recruiting classes, depth at this position is young but plentiful. However, they will need to keep recruiting solid linemen in order to sustain the depth. Again they will be losing a number of starters and are looking for one more player here, most likely an interior lineman. Young is a massive young man who may need time to work on technique but should develop into a solid guard. Troughton gives them experience at the JUCO level, which will be needed at losing four rotation linemen after the 2016 season. Ojukwu is an extremely hard worker who was under-recruited and continues to the streak of local linemen getting to the blue. The 4th spot is going to an interior position with some promising offers out.
 
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Defensive Tackles:

- Departing: Elliot Hoyte

- Number of players they will take: 1-2

- Offers:

- Note: Last year this was the most important position they needed to recruit. This year will be more difficult to land players here as the position has suddenly become crowded. However, because of the haul of last year, the coaching staff may be able to take a gamble on a project type recruit who can take their time and develop behind the 2016 class. It would not be a surprise for offers to be scares at this position until the winter and for the staff to take a grayshirt, player going on an LDS mission, or a project type of player.

Defensive Ends/STUD:

- Departing: Sam McCaskill

- Number of players they will take: 2 (not counting grayshirt)

- Commits: Zeke Birch (grayshirt)

- Still in play: David Anenhi, Isaac Buell, Michael Owusu, Anthony Pandy

- Note: The end positions are actually pretty balanced currently, but they will still look to take at least a player at each of the end spots to maintain their depth. Caldwell has shown he prefers to recruit athletic players who cause havoc on the edge and can move inside if needed. They still need two players and have a few offers out.

Linebackers:

- Departing: Ben Weaver, Tanner Vallejo, Darren Lee

- Number of players they will take: 4

- Commits: Breydon Boyd, Quentin Brown, Roman Kafentzis

- Still in play: Ezekiel Noa, Mohamed Sanogo

- Note: Losing 4-year contributors at all three spots, comprising of two four year starters and a key back-up and special teams member, the linebacker corps will need to reload with high-level players . Boyd will be a force at MLB, especially at stopping the run. They will take two more players in the mold of aggressive, tackling-machines who can play in space in order to continue what Avalos has built at this position. Brown and Kafentzis fit the bill at the SAM position with the ability to play in run and pass coverage.

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Safeties:

- Departing: Chanceller James, Dylan Sumner-Gardner

- Number of players they will take: 3-4

- Commits: Mike Young (JC), Tyreque Jones

- Still in play: Nick Pickett, Kekaula Kaniho

- Note: Safety depth has been a concern the past two seasons, specifically a lack of safeties that can play in pass-coverage, so that could be a focus in this class. Young fits this need and has experience at the JUCO level and Jones is quite an athlete who is used as a QB as well as DB in high school.

Cornerbacks:

- Departing: Jonathan Moxey, Ray Ford

- Number of players they will take: 2

- Commits: Marques Evans, Jermani Brown

- Offers:

- Note: The coaching staff has done a great job recruiting this position and assuming both stay, they will inject a boost of talent into the position. Evans brings athleticism and versatility; he could fill a few spots in the secondary but as of now, it looks like he will stay at cornerback where his height will be a big addition. Brown is the first four-star CB in the Harsin era and has the talent to play immediately. His athleticism will likely allow him to be a major factor both on defense and the return game.

Special Teams:

- Departing: Sean Wale, Tyler Rausa, Matt Cota

- Number of players they will take: 1

- Offers:

- Note: Handing out a scholarship to a special teams player is rare. That being said, they will probably target one in this class. Last year they showed they weren’t afraid to offer a scholarship to a punter if it’s the right fit. Another possibility is offering a preferred walk-on spot initially before putting them on scholarship after a year or two.
 
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