BOISE STATE BRONCOS
2013 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 7
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 4
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: D.J. Harper-RB, Dan Paul-FB, Mitch Burroughs-WR, Chris Potter-WR, Chandler Koch-TE, Joe Kellogg-OG, Michael Ames-OG, Brenel Myers-OT, Michael Frisina-K
DEFENSE: Michael Atkinson-NT, Darren Koontz-DT, Greg Grimes-NT, Tommy Smith-LB, J.C. Percy-LB, Jamar Taylor-CB, Jerrell Gavins-CB, Dextrell Simmons-NB, Sam Ukwuachu-DE (transferred), Lee Hightower-SS
WR Matt Miller
Receiver / Defensive End

Nine receivers caught a dozen or more passes in 2012. Most of them are back as are most of the backups. This is a deep receiving crew. Boise State ranked 7th nationally in the sack department. Defensive ends Demarcus Lawrence and Tyler Horn are back to harass opposing quarterbacks.

Linebacker / Cornerback

A completely new set of linebackers in this nickel base defense need to be found. Tommy Smith and J.C. Percy were dominating tacklers. Cornerbacks Jamar Taylor and Jerrell Gavins had much to do with the great success of this pass defense. Replacing them will be a crucial experiment this off-season.

DE Demarcus Lawrence
 
BOISE STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Joe Southwick-Sr (6-1, 202) Grant Hedrick-Jr (6-0, 200)
RB Jay Ajayi-So (6-0, 215) Derrick Thomas-Jr (6-0, 207) / Jamal Wilson-So (5-11, 238) (FB)
WR Matt Miller-Jr (6-3, 218) Aaron Burks-Sr (6-3, 200)
WR Kirby Moore-Sr (6-3, 206) Geraldo Boldewijn-Sr (6-4, 215)
WR Shane Williams-Rhodes-So (5-6, 158) Dallas Burroughs-Jr (5-8, 171)
TE Gabe Linehan-Sr (6-4, 238) Holden Huff-So (6-5, 221)
OT Charles Leno-Sr (6-4, 294) Rees Odhiambo-So (6-4, 309)
OG Spencer Gerke-Sr (6-3, 297) Mario Yakoo-RFr (6-3, 320)
C Matt Paradis-Sr (6-3, 293) ..
OG Jake Broyles-Sr (6-5, 299) Travis Averill-RFr (6-3, 292)
OT Rees Odhiambo-So (6-4, 309) Steven Baggett-RFr (6-3, 275)
K Dan Goodale-Jr (5-10, 193) Tyler Rausa-So (5-8, 191)
 
BOISE STATE 2013 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Demarcus Lawrence-Jr (6-3, 244) Beau Martin-Jr (6-2, 258)
NT Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe-Sr (6-3, 303) Armad Nance-So (6-0, 290)
DT Tyler Horn-Jr (6-5, 264) Tutulupeatau Mataele-Jr (6-3, 280)
DE Khayree Marshall-Sr (6-2, 240) Darien Barrett-RFr (6-2, 233)
MLB Blake Renaud-Jr (6-3, 249) Dustin Kamper-Sr (6-1, 232)
WLB Tyler Gray-So (6-4, 223) Travis Saxton-Jr (6-1, 220)
CB Donte Deayon-So (5-9, 151) Deon'tae Florance-Jr (5-9, 171)
CB Bryan Douglas-Jr (5-9, 170) Cleshawn Page-Jr (5-8, 173)
SS Darian Thompson-So (6-1, 201) Taylor Loffler-So (6-3, 212)
FS Jeremy Ioane-Jr (5-10, 189) Ebo Makinde-Sr (5-10, 179)
NB Corey Bell-Jr (5-11, 208) Jonathan Brown-Sr (5-10, 215)
P Trevor Harman-Sr (6-3, 207) Sean Wale-RFr (6-1, 183)
QUICK TAKES

     

  • This could be the year for senior quarterback Joe Southwick. He finished the 2012 regular season playing his best football. This offensive line also does a good job protecting Joe. After sitting behind and watching legendary Kellen Moore handle the position it's now his turn to take a swipe at a magical Boise State run.
  • The Broncos understandably leaned on the run game more with a new quarterback. Gone is 1,000-yard rusher D.J. Harper but young sophomore Jay Ajayi brings an explosive power element to the table and a 6.9 yards-per-carry average.
  • Receiver Matt Miller has more catches than any Bronco over the past two season. He is a possession-type guy who moves the chains. This may not be the highest rated set of receivers on an individual basis, but there is plenty of quality route runners to choose from.
  • History has shown that no matter how many people Boise State brings back, this team is geared to play with anyone while racking up impressive won-loss records. Head Coach Chris Petersen has done more with lesser experienced teams compared to the one he will have under his tutelage for 2013. The defense certainly has some questions that need answered given the personnel loses but this is still a typical triumphant Boise State team. Ignoring them as a Top 25 entity would be an insult.

 

BOISE STATE 2013 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31 - at Washington
Sept. 7 - UT-Martin
Sept. 13 - Air Force
Sept. 20 - at Fresno State
Sept. 28 - Southern Miss
Oct. 12 - at Utah State
Oct. 19 - Nevada
Oct. 25 - at Brigham Young
Nov. 2 - at Colorado State
Nov. 16 - Wyoming
Nov. 23 - at San Diego State
Nov. 30 - New Mexico