Recruiting class of 2012 revealed

For fair weather Boise State football fans, it seems like the end is near. The golden arm of Kellen Moore will no longer grace “the blue,” bringing a half decade of dominance to an end. Fortunately, Head Coach Chris Petersen isn’t giving up just yet.

The incoming set 18 athletes includes 11 Californians, six Texans, and one highly touted quarterback from Orlando, Fla.

Wednesday—national Letter Of Intent Day—Petersen announced a recruiting class that will carry the Broncos through a very interesting transition.

Not only has Moore expended his final year of eligibility, but Boise State has gaping holes in the defensive line and linebacking core left by Billy Winn, Shea McClellin, Tyrone Crawford and Byron Hout.

Petersen was able to accomplish needs on defense with the signings of highly recruited defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. Lawrence will be a redshirt sophomore for the Broncos, and definitely has the size for the position (6-feet, 4-inches / 248 pounds).

In the stead of two-time Heisman Trophy candidate Moore are four quarterbacks aiming for the 2012 starting position under center. Nick Patti, who graduated early from high school and is currently enrolled in classes at Boise State, is now a favorite for the job, according to Petersen.

Patti comes in a similar package as Moore, standing at only 5-feet, 11-inches and weighing nearly 200 pounds. However, he possesses one prized skill that Moore did not: mobility. Patti runs a 4.5 40-yard dash and rushed for 626 yards with seven touchdowns as a senior.

“We feel really good about Nick Patti, and we feel really good about the other three guys. It’s going to be one heck of a competition,” Petersen said. “We’ve got some talent there.”

With freshman Matt Miller most likely assuming the role as Boise State’s primary receiver next season, the Broncos didn’t aim to capture many recruits at the wide out position but were able to snag local Eagle High School product D.J. Dean.

“We think he’s going to start at the receiver positions, but one of the things we really liked about D.J. was that he could play defense,” Petersen said, regarding Dean’s future placement.

Though more Idaho prospects may walk on to the team near the beginning of summer, Dean remains the only local player in the 2012 recruiting class, something Petersen attributes to the current caliber of Idaho football.

After the Broncos’ struggles at the running back position against TCU last season, many questions revolved around the replacement of Doug Martin.

Texas natives Devan Demas and Jack Fields have been called upon to fill the void. Together, the two accounted for over 4,500 yards and 51 touchdowns.

Also another problem for the Broncos of late has been at the kicking position. Now, Boise State has two kickers on scholarships with the signing of Sean Wale, a kicker/punter hybrid.

“We’re going to do what we’ve got to do to get our situation solved,” Petersen said. “We feel really good right now.”

Though many fans are unsure about the future of Bronco football, remember this: Petersen found gold in Prosser, Wash.

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Posted by John Engel on Feb 6 2012. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.