BSU FOOTBALL: OUR NON-HALL OF FAME TEAM – THE BEST BRONCOS NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME, BY POSITION

Posted on April 6, 2018

BY MIKE PRATER
@KTIK.COM

Boise State is bringing its sports stars back to campus April 13 for the first Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 10 years. Two football players are being honored: Legendary quarterback Kellen Moore and offensive lineman Nate Potter. They will be the first football players inducted into the BSU Hall of Fame since quarterback Bart Hendricks made the Class of 2007.

Obviously, Boise State has produced a ton of quality football players since then. We can’t wait for the backlog of players to be inducted, and we’re too impatient to acknowledge the Hall’s official five-year waiting period, so …

Here is our Boise State Football Non-Hall of Fame Team – the best former players not in the Hall of Fame, by position (all based on their BSU careers only):

OFFENSE

Quarterback: Ryan Dinwiddie (2001-03) … The toughest, most efficient and productive quarterback in Boise State history – until Moore came along to set a new standard. Still holds two NCAA records (most yards gained per attempt/career and most yards gained per completion/career). Dinwiddie is one of only six quarterbacks in college football history with a career passing efficiency rating of 168.0 or higher (others are Moore, Sam Bradford, Marcus Mariota, Tim Tebow and Baker Mayfield).

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Jared Zabransky (2003-06)

Running back: Brock Forsey (1999-02), Ian Johnson (2005-08) … Unfortunately, this leaves out NFL talent Jay Ajayi, Doug Martin and Jeremy McNichols, but Forsey and Johnson were more than great football players, one known for touchdowns and toughness, the other for flair and dramatics. Forsey and Johnson were 4,000-yard rushers (Cedric Minter is the only other Bronco in that group), made huge impacts on their teams, and resonated in the community beyond your typical football player because of their own unique styles.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Martin (2008-11), Ajayi (2012-14), McNichols (2014-16)

Wide receiver: Matt Miller (2011-14), Thomas Sperbeck (2013-16) … These two separate themselves – slightly – from a ridiculously talented group of Hall of Fame-type receivers for doing it the Bronco Way … tough, blue collar, quiet/humble, overachievers. Their intangibles, along with world-class production, separate Sperbeck and Miller from the consistent Austin Pettis and the explosive Titus Young.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Young (2007-10), Pettis (2007-10)

Tight end: Derek Schouman (2003-06) … The four-year starter and local fan favorite – “Shoooeeee’’ – caught two of the most important passes in Boise State’s postseason history – the game-winner in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl and the overtime touchdown in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Jeb Putzier (1998-01)

Line: Scott Huff (1999-02), Daryn Colledge (2002-05), Ryan Clady (2005-07), Charles Leno (2010-13), Matt Paradis (2010-13) … Colledge and Clady are the two most dominant linemen in Boise State history, Huff is the best center in school history after starting 40 games, and Leno (39) and Paradis (26) each finished their productive careers with impressive consecutive start streaks.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Matt Hill (1998-01)

DEFENSE

Line: Ryan Winterswyk (2007-10), Shea McClellin (2008-11), Demarcus Lawrence (2012-13) … Three dominating linemen who spent most of their time in the opponents’ backfield. The trio combined for 62 sacks and 134 tackles-for-loss. Winterswyk and McClellin were four-year mainstays (42 sacks between them), while Lawrence did all of his damage in two powerful seasons (20 sacks in 23 games).

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Andrew Browning (2003-06), Nick Schlekeway (2004-07), Billy Winn (2008-11), Tyrone Crawford (2010-11)

Linebacker: Andy Avalos (2001-04), Korey Hall (2003-06), Tanner Vallejo (2013-16) … Hall and Avalos are two of the most decorated and celebrated linebackers in BSU history; both were physical, tough, durable, hard-working and smart playmakers who rank in the top five in all-time tackles. Vallejo (more overall production, played a fourth year) edges out Kamalei Correa (best sacking LB in BSU history?) and Bryan Johnson (two-way all-around star) in a tight contest for the third spot.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Scott Russell (1987-90), Johnson (1996-99), Correa (2013-15)

Cornerback: Kyle Wilson (2006-09), Jamar Taylor (2008-12) … Narrowing down defensive backs was the toughest part of this project. After all, Boise State has earned the nickname DBU because it continuously puts top defensive back talent in the NFL. Wilson separates himself because he was a two-time All-American (2008-09) and was Boise State’s first defensive first-rounder into the NFL. Taylor edges out Orlando Scandrick after a playmaking career that covered five seasons.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Gabe Franklin (2001-04), Chris Carr (2001-04), Scandrick (2005-07), Donte Deayon (2012-15)

Cornerback/safety: George Iloka (2008-11), Darian Thompson (2012-15) … Iloka was a freshman All-American, a three-year starter and an all-league player in the WAC (2010) and Mountain West (2011). Thompson, a rare two-time All-American (2014-15), is third in Boise State history with 19 interceptions.

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Gerald Alexander (2003-06)

Safety: Quintin Mikell (1999-02) … The 2002 All-American changed the position at defensive back, bringing a methodical, physical and attacking style to the Broncos’ roster. He is one of only two Boise State players to record 400-plus career tackles (the other is linebacker Scott Russell).

  • Needs to be in Hall of Fame at some point: Kenny Kuehl (1987-90), Jeron Johnson (2007-09), Marty Tadman (2004-07)

OTHERS WHO NEED TO BE IN THE HALL OF FAME

Kicker/Punter: Kyle Brotzman (2007-10)
Coach: Chris Petersen (2006-13)
Team: 2007 Fiesta Bowl


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).

Daryn Colledge photo courtesy of Cumulus Digital

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