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Basically... Only three starters return, but things will be fine as there are enough good players to keep the production rolling. While this doesn't appear to be the juggernaut of past seasons, it's still going to be one of the WAC's top offenses assuming Jared Zabransky or Mike Sanford shines at quarterback. The receiving corps doesn't have any name players, but it'll be very effective.
Star of the offense: Junior OT Daryn Colledge
Player that has to step up and become a star: Sophomore QB Jared Zabransky or senior QB Mike Sanford
Unsung star on the rise: Redshirt freshman OT Jeff Cavender
Best pro prospect: Colledge
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Colledge, 2) WR T.J. Acree, 3) WR Lawrence Bady
Strength of the offense: Receivers
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line experience
Quarterbacks
Projected Starter
- Jared Zabransky, Soph. - It's a neck-and-neck battle between Zabransky and Michael Sanford for the starting job. Zabransky has a good arm and excellent mobility rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown last season to go along with 180 passing yards and a score. He was razor sharp in the spring game, after struggling a bit earlier in spring ball, completing 9 of 11 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown to go along with 15 rushing yards and a score.
Top Backups
- Michael Sanford, Sr. - Sanford has a ton of talent and several years of learning the system under his belt. He's a strong passer with an excellent deep arm, and he proved in the spring game that he can handle the starting gig completing 9 of 12 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown. However, he doesn't have Zabransky's running skills.
- Legadu Naanee, Soph. - He stunk in the spring game only completing one of eight passes with an interception, but he's a athlete who has to find a place on the field: He's 6-4, 230 pounds with tremendous athleticism. He has all the BSU quarterback weight room records.
- Taylor Tharpe, RFr. - Most likely the number three quarterback, Tharpe did a great job with the scout team last year and has looked great in practice when he got a chance. He completed 3 of 4 passes for 82 yards and an interception in the spring finale.
The Skinny: Ryan Dinwiddie is a tough player to replace right away, but that's what was said about trying to find a new quarterback for Bart Hendricks a few years ago. There are several good options to choose from, and it'll come down to the experience of Mike Sanford vs. the all-around talent of Jared Zabransky. It'll be a battle going into the fall.
Player to keep an eye on: Taylor Tharpe ... Quarterback Rating: 6.5
Running Backs
Projected Starter
- Jeff Carpenter, Jr. - It'll be running back by committee for the Broncos with Carpenter, a former walk-on, getting the ball first. He's an extremely quick back who should quickly become a top producer after leading the team with a 7.6 yard-per-carry average. He won't be much of a workhorse, but he has a little bit of power.
- Fullback Brad Lau, Soph. - A true fullback, Lau bulked up 20 pounds to be a 246-pound blocker replacing Greg Swenson. He's a good, hard-nosed runner who'll handle most of the short yardage duties and could turn into an elite goal line scorer.
Top Backups
- Lee Marks, Jr. - The former defensive back ended up running for 166 yards and two touchdowns. He's only 5-7 and 179 pounds, but he more than makes up for it with elite sprinter's speed. He can catch a little bit and should be scary when he gets the ball on the move.
- Jon Helmandollar, RFr. - The 218-pound back has all the tools to be the team's new star back. He isn't just big, he's fast and very productive earning the 2002 Idaho Player of the Year honor rushing for 1,963 yards and 32 touchdowns. Once he works on his receiving skills a bit more, the starting job could be his.
- Fullback Calvin McCarty, RFr. - He'll be used as a big tailback and a backup fullback coming off a redshirt year. He's 214 pounds with decent moves rushing for 2,491 yards and 31 touchdowns in his senior year of high school.
The Skinny: It all depends on the emergence of Jon Helmandollar. Jeff Carpenter and Lee Marks are decent backs in the mold of David Mikell, but Helmandollar has the talent to be the workhorse star. The fullbacks are outstanding with Brad Lau on the verge of turning into a top player. Calvin McCarty isn't a bad back to have in reserve.
Player to keep an eye on: Jon Helmandollar ... Running Back Rating: 6
Receivers
Projected Starters
- T.J. Acree, Sr. - The former walk-on became a the team's top scorer last year leading the Broncos with seven touchdown catches and finished second with 51 catches for 758 yards. He's not the biggest or fastest receiver in the world, but he has sure hands and always finds ways to get open. He's a perfect fit for the offense.
- Lawrence Bady, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer did everything expected of him last year turning into a scary deep threat averaging 25 yards per catch and finishing fourth on the team with 29 grabs for 726 yards and four scores. He had a 98-yard scoring play against SMU.
- Tight end Derek Schouman, Soph. - At 217 pounds, Schouman is more of a big wide receiver than a true tight end, but he's good no matter how you want to label him. He was a true freshman star catching 17 passes for 272 yards and four touchdowns turning into a big-time playmaker. He has All-WAC written all over him.
Top Backups
- Mark Onibokun, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer has size and speed catching six passes for 55 yards. He'll become one of the new weapons in the attack playing behind Lawrence Bady at the Z.
- Drisan James, Soph. - James is a quick receiver with a little bit of experience making five catches for 74 yards as a freshman. He'll push for time behind T.J. Acree at the X.
- Tight end Andy Weldon, Sr. - More of a blocker than Derek Schouman, the 246-pound Weldon can catch a little bit, though he's not much of a field stretcher, and will see plenty of time in two tight end sets. He made three grabs for 23 yards last year.
The Skinny: It's not fair to say that just any receiver can shine in the Boise State offense, but there are always receivers that fit in with what the attack does. The receivers this year aren't all that talented, but they'll work. Lawrence Bady will be a great fill-in for Tim Gilligan, while several receivers will more than make up for Jerry Smith's lost production. The tight ends are excellent.
Player to keep an eye on: Mark Oniabokun ... Receiving Rating: 7.5
Offensive Line
Projected Starters
- Tackle Daryn Colledge, Jr. - An All-WAC performer and one of the league's rising star lineman, the 291-pound junior will be the anchor of the line at left tackle. He's tremendously quick for a player of his size and is outstanding in pass protection.
- Guard Tad Miller, RFr. - One of Idaho's top offensive line prospects, the 296-pound Boise native will be a fixture at left guard for the next four years.
- Center Klayton Adams, Sr. - The former JUCO transfer was a backup all year before being called into action against TCU in the bowl game. He's only 5-11, but he's 293 pounds and strong.
- Guard M.J. Ansel, Sr. - Ansel proved to be a consistent lineman last year and will move from the left to the right side to replace Tyrone Tutogi. The 289-pound senior will have to become a rock to make up for all the inexperience elsewhere.
- Tackle Jeff Cavender, RFr. - Cavender, who'll start on the right side, is an athletic 275-pound tackle with good feet and great potential. His twin brother, Pete, is a backup center.
Top Backups
- G Joe Wiegand, Soph. - He's a talented backup able to step in at guard or center. He was the backup in the middle last year, and now will play behind Tad Miller on the left side.
- T Ryan Keating, Soph. - The 318-pound Keating is the biggest player on the line able to play guard or tackle. He'll be the backup behind Jeff Cavender at right tackle.
The Skinny: The Boise State line doesn't have to be full of road graters to be effective. The key is to find as many different athletes as possible to become good pass protectors, but they also need to be able to open up the occasional hole. The line will be fine despite the loss of several starters. Daryn Colledge is a great player to build around.
Player to keep an eye on: Jeff Cavender ... Offensive Line Rating: 6
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