WHO’S NO. 1? RANKING THE PERFORMANCES OF NINE FORMER BOISE STATE PLAYERS IN THE SUPER BOWL

Posted on January 30, 2018

BY MIKE PRATER
@KTIK.COM

Philadelphia Eagles running back Jay Ajayi has an opportunity to do something no other former Boise State football player has done – produce significant offensive stats in a Super Bowl.

Ajayi, the 10th former Boise State player to appear in a Super Bowl, is favored to lead the Eagles in rushing and is a potential MVP candidate against the New England Patriots, according to Vegas oddsmakers. Ajayi leads the Eagles with 39 touches and 197 yards of offense in two wins this postseason.

More importantly, of the nine Broncos who have appeared in the game, who produced the best Super Bowl performance? There is limited individual success, so overall playing time and winning the game are important criterias.

Here is how Boise State players rank in order, based on their Super Bowl performances:

Matt Paradis, 2016 (after the 2015 season), C, Broncos

  • Defeated Panthers 24-10
  • The center started and played all 60 snaps for quarterback Peyton Manning. Paradis – the top-ranked center in the NFL during the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus – went head-to-head with Carolina star defensive tackle Star Lotulelei. The Broncos’ offensive line allowed five sacks, and the run game produced only 3.2 yards per carry. But Paradis gave up no pressures and graded “above average,” according to PFF.

Daryn Colledge, 2011, LG, Packers

  • Defeated Steelers 31-25
  • Started at left guard after one of the best games of his career in the NFC title game against the the Bears, and played mostly against Pittsburgh defensive end Brett Keisel. The offensive line gave up three sacks on 39 pass attempts by Aaron Rodgers, produced 338 total yards, and 3.8 yards a carry. According to Pro Football Focus, Colledge gave up one hit, two pressures and he had one false start on the Packers’ final drive. PFF said Colledge was “strong in run-game blocking” and received an overall grade of “a little below average.”

Shea McClellin, 2017, LB, Patriots

  • Defeated Falcons 34-28
  • Started, and appeared in eight plays plays on defense and 24 on special teams … Had one quarterback hit in the second quarter and one illegal formation penalty in the second quarter.

Kimo von Oelhoffen, 2006, DE, Steelers

  • Defeated Seahawks 21-10
  • Started at defensive end and had two first-quarter tackles.

Korey Hall, 2011, FB, Packers

  • Defeated Steelers 31-25
  • Started at fullback after late-season injury issues … Credited with one first-quarter catch for 2 yards and one first-quarter tackle on special teams.

Jeron Johnson, 2015, S, Seahawks

  • Lost to Patriots 28-24
  • Appeared in 19 plays, mostly on special teams. … Had one fourth-quarter tackle on punt coverage.

Quintin Mikell, 2005, S, Eagles

  • Lost to Patriots 24-21
  • Played off the bench, had one second-quarter tackle on special teams

Markus Koch, 1988, DE, Redskins

  • Defeated Broncos 42-10
  • Backup behind defensive ends Dexter Manley and Charles Mann … No known stats

Rolly Woolsey, 1976, CB, Cowboys

  • Lost to Steelers 21-17
  • Backup behind cornerbacks Mel Renfro and Mark Washington. … Played special teams. … No known stats.


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 Matt Paradis courtesy of Getty Images / Cumulus Digital

Bronco Focus