FOUR BOISE STATE ATHLETES POISED FOR BIG THINGS – WHO ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE THEY ABOUT TO ACCOMPLISH?

Posted on January 26, 2018

BY MIKE PRATER
@KTIK.COM

Jay Ajayi, Chandler Hutchison, Kellen Moore and Nick Cunningham … three former Boise State athletes, and one current, who have been making headlines and creating buzz in 2018. We’re talking Super Bowls, NBA Draft potential, NFL coaching positions and the Winter Olympics. How’d they get here and what are they likely to accomplish before this year is over … 

AJAYI

The Philadelphia Eagles running back has set himself up to become the seventh Boise State player to appear in a Super Bowl, and win a ring. The previous six: Markus Koch (1988, Redskins), Kimo von Oelhoffen (2006, Steelers), Korey Hall (2011, Packers), Daryn Colledge (2011, Packers), Matt Paradis (2016, Broncos) and Shea McClellin (2017, Patriots).

Hall caught one pass for 2 yards in his Super Bowl appearance, but no former Boise State skill player has made an impact in the Super Bowl. Ajayi, who started the season in the Dolphins’ doghouse before a trade to the Eagles, is the kind of punishing back who can create some damage against the Patriots’ not-always-steady rush defense (ranked No. 20 in the regular season).

The Eagles are using Ajayi much more than LeGarrette Blount during the postseason: Ajayi has 33 carries, 6 catches and 197 total yards, while Blount has 15 carries, no catches, 40 total yards and two touchdowns.

ESPN ranked all 106 players in this year’s Super Bowl, and Ajayi checked in at No. 18.

  • PREDICTION: Ajayi runs for 100-plus yards, catches three passes … and scores the first Super Bowl touchdown by a former Boise State player. 

HUTCHISON

The Boise State basketball senior is down to the final few chapters of his college career, including only four more appearances in Taco Bell Arena (Feb. 3, Feb. 14, Feb. 17, March 3). Two huge opportunities loom: the NCAA Tournament in March and the NBA Draft in June.

Chandler is the only player in Division I basketball averaging more than 19 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists a game, has dominated the conference this season, and should be named league MVP. More importantly, can he lead the Broncos’ to the NCAAs, and/or their first win in the tournament?

In June, Hutchison could become the first Boise State player drafted by the NBA since Roberto Bergersen (1999, second round). And, if ESPN’s initial mock draft proves accurate, Hutchison could become the first first-round pick in Boise State history. ESPN projects the 6-foot-7 shooting guard to go No. 16 to the Detroit Pistons because “he looks primed to take advantage of the lack of wing depth in the draft.”

  • PREDICTION: Hutchison wins league MVP, takes Boise State to the postseason (NCAA or NIT?) and works his way into the first round of the NBA Draft where, as a No. 16 pick, he could earn a starting salary of $2.6 million, according to the ESPN report.

MOORE

The former Boise State quarterback retired as a player, and was immediately promoted from backup QB to quarterback coach by the Dallas Cowboys. Rare move, then again it’s Kellen Moore, who lasted six seasons in the NFL despite playing only three games.

Moore is now in charge of Dak Prescott’s development, even though they were playing peers last season. And Moore is working for a fragile organization that could get rid of head coach Jason Garrett and/or offensive coordinator and KM believer Scott Linehan during or after the 2018 season.

If the hierarchy stays in Dallas, and the team improves next season, Moore will shine as a coach for four reasons: He’s “Dak friendly” as they like to say in Dallas, he has the overwhelming support of owner Jerry Jones/Garrett/Linehan, he has a history of smart/successful coaching in his family blood … and because he’s Kellen Moore.

  • PREDICTION: Moore, who is 28, will help the Cowboys to the playoffs next season … and he’ll be a head coach in the NFL by the time he’s 38. Because he’s Kellen Moore.

CUNNINGHAM

The former Boise State track and field athlete is headed to his third Winter Olympics (Feb. 9-25, South Korea). Cunningham, now 32, competed in 2010 (12th in the two-man and 13th in the four-man) and 2014 (13th in two-man and 12th in four-man). He’s experienced, and one of the top bobsled drivers in the world.

  • PREDICTION: Cunningham won’t medal in South Korea, but he will crack the top 10 for the first time in Olympic career.


Mike Prater, editor of The Opinionator, co-hosts Idaho Sports Talk with Caves & Prater weekdays from 3-6 p.m. on KTIK 93.1 FM The Ticket and can be heard on Bronco GameNight after BSU football games on KBOI 670 AM and KTIK 93.1 FM. He can be reached at [email protected], and found @CavesandPrater(Facebook) and @MikeFPrater (Twitter).

Photo of Jay Ajayi courtesy of Cumulus Digital / Getty Images

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