Boise State going hard after signal-callers

With the 2008 Boise State recruiting class having come and gone with no QB signing with the Broncos...the Broncos want to make sure that 2009 goes differently. As of today, Boise State has offered scholarships to at least 4 different quarterback prospects and had more come to the Blue on official and unofficial visits.

All of the quarterbacks that have been through or have been offered are considered in the top 50 at their position in the country. Josh Nunes, from Upland, California is a 4-star recruit that is ranked 20th at his position. Nunes is 6'4" and 185 lbs. and visited Boise during Spring practices. He was offered early in April.

Richard Brehaut, out of Los Osos High School in California also picked up an April offer from the Broncos. Brehaut is also rated as a 4-star recruit and the 22nd best QB in the land—he stands 6' 2" tall and weighs in at 205 lbs. Brehaut, like Nunes, has a slew of Pac-10 and Big XII offers...but Bronco fans can be encouraged by the fact that he will camp at Boise State this summer. One of last year's camp MVPs, Raphiel Lambert, later spurned several Pac-10 programs to sign with the Broncos.

Making locals very happy last month was the offer extended to Pocatello's own Taysom Hill, out of Highland High. Taysom is ranked just below Brehaut and has also garnered a 4-star rating from the scouts. Hill is a versatile signal-caller and has impressed on both sides of the ball in Poky. Hill has offers from Arizona, Stanford and Washington State among Pac-10 squads as well as interest from BYU and Utah. Hill, who stands 6' 2" tall and weighs 210 lbs. has the speed and size of another recent Bronco QB, Jared Zabransky, but sadly lacks the shock of brilliant red hair.

Last but not least, the Broncs today offered Danville, CA signal-caller Joe Southwick a scholly. Southwick is another 6' 2" QB who is ranked 41st at his position and is rated a 3-star recruit. Southwick has a pair of WAC offers from Nevada and San Jose State.

Some spies spotted Logan 3-star QB Jeff Manning hanging around Spring ball, so rest assured that he is on the coaches radar as well.

The Broncos would be lucky to get any one of these talented QBs and with numerous Pac-10 and other BCS offers, some may be a tall order...but the wide open offense at Boise State and the promise of tutelage of one of the great offensive minds in the biz has to be enticing to some of these youngsters. Personally, I'd like to see Brehaut or Hill land on the Blue as their skillsets seem to fit the current Boise State offensive scheme—but any of these guys inking with the Broncos would be a very positive sign for the future of the program. Especially after the 2008 QB drought.

Josh Nunes profile
Richard Brehaut profile
Taysom Hill profile
Joe Southwick profile

Ya gotta have heart.

Boise State has made a name for itself in its somewhat brief history where undersized, unrecognized players and walkons come and become major contributors if not stars.Look at the amazing career of Mountain Home product Ia Falo, who came to Boise State as a 5'7" 143 lb. walkon cornerback and became an explosive and important roleplayer on special teams. ESPN even featured Falo in an article (the Special Teams Demon). The list of smallish, unrecruited talent that Boise State has cultivated over the years could probably fill the pages of a book...remember Jadon Dailey? Andrew Woodruff? Tim Gilligan? What about Brock Forsey, Colt Brooks or Vinny Peretta? Boise State not only seems to find these guys and develop them, but I believe needs them. These players personify the blue-collar work ethic of "the little team that could" and have been so key to our success and so vital in leadership roles that I believe that Boise State should continue to forsake the star ratings and really go after these high character guys with "heart to spare" year after year.

Who will be the next Ia Falo? Maybe Andy Silsby, a local walk-on running back who won't sniff the starting gig, but has shown himself to be a very capable and versatile special teams man. Maybe it's Ricky Cookman, a highly touted wide receiver that just didn't pull down the offers most thought he would...he could be the next TJ Acree or Tim Gilligan. Maybe it will be Stephen Gabbard, another star HS running back that will probably be buried on the RB depth chart, but could be a big time player in another role.


Whoever it is, Bronco Nation will be watching and rooting. These guys are what make our Broncos the pride of the state and the darlings of the mid-majors. So, if you are a lightly recruited player who has the heart of a champion and the desire to help the team in any capacity...you may just belong on the blue.