2013 Boise State Spring Football Analysis

2013 Boise State Broncos ... Head Coach: Chris Petersen

Boise State Broncos

2013 Schedule
Not Yet Released

Why To Be Excited There aren’t any more questions about the quarterback situation and who’ll replace Kellen Moore. Joe Southwick didn’t exactly set the world on fire in place of the Bronco legend, but the team went 11-2 losing its two games by a combined total of six points – Southwick was fine. With top target Matt Miller coming back along with big senior Kirby Moore, the passing game should be even sharper and more consistent. On the other side of the ball, the entire defensive front is back after finishing 11th in the nation in sacks and second in the Mountain West against the run.

Why To Be Grouchy Who’s going to protect Southwick? Boise State never seems to have problems finding replacements up front to step up and produce, but it’s still a problem with three starters gone including tackle Brenel Myers and guard Michael Ames. Defensively, the back seven needs to come up with massive changes losing top tackler J.C. Percy and linebacker running mate Tommy Smith. Also gone are starting corners Jamar Taylor and Jerrell Gavins from the nation’s fifth-ranked pass defense.

What Needs Working On The kicking game needs to be stronger. Punter Trevor Harman wasn’t bad, averaging over 41 yards per kick, but overall the unit didn’t work with the punting game averaging just 34 yards per try. Michael Frisina hit 15-of-20 field goals and didn’t miss any important kicks, but now he’s gone and untested Dan Goodale is stepping in. The team could also use a bit more pop out of an offense that was efficient, didn’t make mistakes, and was effective enough to win 11 games, but it didn’t have the normal explosion against the good teams. The Broncos failed to score more than 28 points against any team that ended up in a bowl game.

Team Concerns For 2013: Scoring? Boise State? The offense wasn't all that bad, but it wasn't up to normal Boise State standards in a transitional season for the attack. Quarterback Joe Southwick put together a decent year in place of Kellen Moore, but the passing game was merely average and the offense didn't explode against the medium-to-strong teams. The punting has to be better after netting just over 34 yards per kick.

The 2013 Class Is Heavy On ... Defensive linemen. Last year the concern of the recruiting class was the lack of help for the front four - not a problem this time around. Chris Petersen went big on defensive tackles getting Tutulepeata Mataele and Justin Taimatuia from the JUCO ranks to see time right away in the interior, while Nick Terry and Kamalei Correa are two excellent prepsters who are as good as the program has brought in. The secondary also got a ton of help with JUCO corner Mercy Maston to find a role out of the boc and corner Dionza Blue a future starter. The offense isn't being ignored with three nice receivers in Kendal Keys, Jake Roh and Tanner Shipley along with running back Aaron Baltazar.

2012 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 59. That Class Was Heavy On ... The Broncos could use a few defensive linemen, or else next year will have to focus mostly on the front four. Quarterback has been addressed over the last few classes, and receivers are in place for the future. Linebacker might turn out to be the strength with a little bit of time, while the stars of the class will be for the secondary. 

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 64. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive front seven. How much impact has Boise State’s move to the Mountain West had on recruiting? Yawwwwwwn. Down the road, the move up might matter a little bit, but it didn’t do much this year with a good class, but not an elite one. However, JUCO transfer safety Dextrell Simmons is a special prospect and corner Eric Agbaroji is a nice pickup for the secondary. The strength is on the defensive front, including linebacker Blake Renaud for the middle, with tackle Jeff Worthy and ends Sam Ukwachu and Robert Ash all expected to be rocks over the next several years.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 94. That Class Was Heavy On ... Quality over quantity. There simply weren't any spots to fill, and it showed with a light class. However, the players brought in were good ones highlighted by big receiver Matt Miller, QB Grant Hedrick, who won't be in the mix until at least 2013, and corner Bryan Douglas, the next great Bronco shut-down defender. This year's defensive line didn't need a whole bunch of work, but it got a little boost from JUCO transfer Tyrone Crawford, a speed rusher for the outside.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 62. That Class Was Heavy On ... Linebacker. While the Broncos were able to come up with a little something for several spots, the stars are at linebacker where John Michael Davis and Allen Mooney were two tremendous gets, while Gabe Linehan should be excellent with a little time in the weight room. This is the Boise State 2013 starting linebacking corps. Two good quarterbacks, Joe Southwick and Mikey Tamburo, were also signed to develop until Kellen Moore is done.