Boise State: Potato Head University or The Gem Of Idaho?

It’s amazing how many people relegate Boise, Idaho to "Spudsville" when, truly, Boise is better known as the capital of the Gem State. Boise State University likewise is not filled to the rafters with potato heads but truly marvelous gems.

BSU continues to turn out superb individuals who take their education seriously. Unlike many universities, Boise State student athletes not only graduate as winners and true competitors in their sport, but as true competitors in their academic field.

For example, Ian Johnson, who was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a free agent, studied General Business Management. Indeed fans, Ian will be marketable long after his football days in Minnesota are over.

Recent articles from Boise State and devoted media have established BSU athletes' academic standard as being above par (exception going to the local men’s golfers, which is not the sport that Boise State is known for all over the country).

Indeed football is BSU’s power sport and those graduating are overachievers in the classroom as well as on the blue turf. Ironically, the gems that play football for BSU most often still have to prove themselves at the next level—and they do.

Some better known BCS schools have their kids drafted by the NFL and some wash out for lack of talent, heart, or both, who knows? BSU kids sometimes get drafted and recently, when they did, it was first and second round—as was the case for Ryan Clady (first in '08) and Gerald Alexander (second in '07).

Orlando Scandrik, Legedu Naanee, and Derek Schouman were all part of the memorable 2007 Fiesta Bowl game along with Ian Johnson and Vinny Perretta. Those three were drafted in the later rounds of the NFL and are still playing.

However, in the 2009 NFL draft there were no players drafted from BSU, but a half dozen signed to free-agent contracts. Some were signed by clubs with really sound players thus making the task of making the squad much more difficult.

Perretta and Johnson were offered contracts by the Minnesota Vikings, who are not that deep in any position, thus the task of making the team for those two is exceptionally easier done.

However, Boise Broncos understand the concept of hard work, and, like Ian and Vinny, accept their roles and will do everything they can to make the team—and are talented enough to get the job done. 

Quintin Mikell and Chris Carr, like Johnson and Perretta, were Bronco free agents just a few years back and they are still playing in the NFL.

Korey Hall is also a player from the Fiesta Bowl team and is still playing for the Green Bay Packers. Bronco players may be looked on as rough by many, but it doesn’t take those diamonds long to shine.

Boise State instructors and coaches well understand the quality of individuals they teach—they were always the finest cut. Bronco fans are looking forward to their successes, but that will be another story.