Boise State's 2012 Recruiting Class: A Look at Each Player

Martin SondermannFeb 1, 2012

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen announced the Bronco's 2012 recruiting class on Wednesday. It is a list that includes 24 outstanding players mostly from the states of California and Texas.

There are 12 defensive recruits and 12 offensive recruits. It will be interesting to see which of them will actually make the lineup next season.

It will also be interesting to see what quarterback Nick Patti can do. He chose to enroll this January to get a head start. We will have to see if he makes enough progress to actually compete for the starting job.

It will be an interesting and intriguing Spring.

Until then, let's look closer at each recruit, what they bring to the table and what we might see from them in the near future.

The Boise State Bronco's 2012 recruiting class.

Nick Patti

1 of 24

Player: Nick Patti

Position: Quarterback

Size: 5'11", 195 lbs

Recruited From: Dr. Phillips High School- Orlando, FL

Status: Enrolled at BSU

Nick Patti graduated high school early so that he could enroll at BSU. He is an outstanding player, and some are hoping he could be the next Kellen Moore.

However, that is a lot of pressure to put on one person. Kellen Moore is a special, once-in-a-lifetime player, and you can't place that burden on anyone. Still, Patti is his own kind of special.

This guy is smart, has a great arm and he can run. He may not be the next Kellen Moore, but he certainly has the ability to be a star on his own merits.

Patti had a 34-4 record as a starter in high school, and set several school records. He was named the 8A Florida Player of the Year after last season, and he was a finalist for the National Gatorade Player of the Year.

Coaches and fans alike are excited to see what Nick Patti can do.

Devan Demas

2 of 24

Player: Devan Demas

Position: Running Back

Size: 5'9", 176 lbs

Recruited From: Cypress Creek High School- Houston, TX

Status: Will enroll in August

Demas is a very fast guy with the ability to make people miss. Look for him to first make a name as a possible return guy.

In high school he was also a track guy, which gives you an idea about his speed.

Jack Fields

3 of 24

Player: Jack Fields

Position: Running Back

Size: 5'10", 196 lbs

Recruited From: Americas High School- El Paso, TX

Status: Will enroll in August

Fields is an incredible athlete. He was named his team's offensive player of the year after his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

He was named the El Paso Times MVP after his senior season.

Fields also lettered in track, and you can bet he will use that speed on "The Blue".

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D.J. Dean

4 of 24

Player: D.J. Dean

Position: Wide Receiver

Size: 6'1", 180 lbs

Recruited From: Eagle High School- Eagle, ID

Status: Will enroll in August

Dean was the 5A Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year in 2011. He was also the Eagle High School MVP his senior season.

He is an all-around player, and he should become a regular contributor. How soon that will happen is anyone's guess, but look for him to make his mark at Boise State.

Shane Rhodes

5 of 24

Player: Shane Rhodes

Position: Wide Receiver

Size: 5'7", 160 lbs

Recruited From: Klein Collins High School- Spring, TX

Status: Will enroll in August

He was a team captain and a first-team all-district player. He was also named his team's most valuable player.

Rhodes is another track guy—he competed in the 300 meter hurdles. He was also an academic all-state selection. He sounds just like the kind of guy Boise State looks for.

Connor Peters

6 of 24

Player: Connor Peters

Position: Tight End

Size: 6'4", 245 lbs

Recruited From: De La Salle High School and Laney College

Status: Enrolled at Boise State

In high school, he played tight end and defensive end. He is fast, strong and athletic. He played one year at Laney College, where he impressed his coaches and obviously caught the eye of the Boise State staff.

Look for him to make an impact right away. He is a seasoned player who should be able to contribute right away.

Hayden Plinke

7 of 24

Player: Hayden Plinke

Position: Tight End

Size: 6'4", 240 lbs

Recruited From: Glencoe High School- Hillsboro, OR

Status: Enrolled at Boise State

He was a standout football, basketball and track star in high school, and has the tools and ability to make his mark for the Broncos.

He has good hands, and knows how to block. With his size, if he develops into the kind of player coaches are counting on, he could play at the next level.

Armad Nance

8 of 24

Player: Armand Nance

Position: Full Back

Size: 6'2", 245 lbs

Recruited From: Spring Dekaney High School- Houston, TX

Status: Will enroll in August

Nance was named first team all-state his senior season. He was also part of the 2011 5A Division 2 State Championship team.

He is a member of the National Honor Society, and a three-time all-district academic team selection.

Steven Baggett

9 of 24

Player: Steven Baggett

Position: Offensive Line

Size: 6'3", 255 lbs

Recruited From: Martin High School- Arlington, TX

Status: Will enroll in August

Baggett is a big, strong and consistent player. In high school, he started 38 games. He was named first-team all-area and first-team all-district as a senior, and all-district his junior year.

Boise State is becoming famous for having some outstanding offensive lineman. Look for Baggett to become one of them.

Travis Averill

10 of 24

Player: Travis Averill

Position: Offensive Line

Size: 6'4", 270 lbs

Recruited From: Servite High School- Anaheim, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

Averill was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year his senior season, and he also made first-team all-league.

He is a great all-around athlete. He lettered in baseball once and track and field twice while in high school.

Averill is the real deal, and he will no doubt be competing for a starting spot right away.

Mario Yakoo

11 of 24

Player: Mario Yakoo

Position: Offensive Line

Size: 6'4", 320 lbs

Recruited From: Steele Canyon High School- San Diego, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

In his senior season, Yakoo was named first-team all-grossmont league and first-team all-cif San Diego County.

He is a big and strong player with the right kind of attitude. He was also a first-team all-academic team member.

He is young, so he might be a candidate for a grayshirt. However, when he does get out there to play, he will be a good one.

Sean Wale

12 of 24

Player: Sean Wale

Position: Kicker/Punter

Size: 6'2", 175 lbs

Recruited From: La Habra High School- La Habra, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

More than a few fans are probably glad to see a kicker on the list.

Wale was named a member of the Chris Sailer Kicking top 12. He was also named first-team all-cif and first-team all-county.

Look for him to have his shot right away.

Chaz Anderson

13 of 24

Player: Chaz Anderson

Position: Cornerback

Size: 5'10", 164 lbs

Recruited From: Loyola High School- Los Angeles, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

In his senior season, Anderson was named second-team all-state and first-team all-sierra league.

He was a letter-winner in track and field and football. He is a versatile player, and in high school he shined on both sides of the ball.

Look for him to compete for a spot right away.

Donte Deayon

14 of 24

Player: Donte Deayon

Position: Cornerback

Size: 5'9", 155 lbs

Recruited From: Summit High School- Fontana, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

Deayon was named the Sunkist League Most Valuable Player and first-team all-state after his senior season.

He is a four-year letter-winner in football and track and field. He is a competitive guy, and look for that to come out as he competes for a spot come next season.

Deayon is an excellent student as well. He earned medals for grade-point averages of 4.0 and 3.5 or higher.

Chanceller James

15 of 24

Player: Chanceller James

Position: Safety

Size: 6'2", 190 lbs

Recruited From: Steele Canyon High School- San Diego, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

Chanceller James should be an impact player for the Broncos. He was named the All-Grossmont League first-team after his senior season.

He lettered in football, basketball and track and field. He was also named a first-team all-academic team after his senior football season.

Look for him to be another one of these guys making a name for himself as a freshman.

Chris Santini

16 of 24

Player: Chris Santini

Position: N/LB

Size: 6'1", 208 lbs

Recruited From: Leland High School- San Jose, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

As a senior Santini had 99 tackles, and nearly 80 of those were unassisted. He was named to the all-state and all-county teams after his senior season.

He has been a consistent player throughout his high school career, and you can expect that to continue.

Ben Weaver

17 of 24

Player: Ben Weaver

Position: Linebacker

Size: 6'1", 225 lbs

Recruited From: Klein High School- Spring, TX

Status: Will enroll in August

Weaver was named first-team all-district in both his junior and senior years. In his senior year, he had 111 tackles, and in his junior season he had an impressive 87 tackles.

He is very athletic, and played football and soccer in high school.

He was also a member of the National Honors Society.

Andrew Pint

18 of 24

Player: Andrew Pint

Position: Linebacker

Size: 6'1", 220 lbs

Recruited From: Valor Christian High School- Highlands Ranch, CO

Status: Will enroll in August

Pint was named to the all-state team in both his junior and senior years. He was also named the MVP of the league as a sophomore.

He is a letter-winner in football, lacrosse and track and field.

He also earned all-state honors in academics. He is certainly another great fit at Boise State.

Chris Collins

19 of 24

Player: Chris Collins

Position: Linebacker

Size: 6'1", 208 lbs

Recruited From: Santa Monica High School- Santa Monica, CA

Status: Will enroll in August

Collins was a stand-out star at Santa Monica High School. He was the Ocean League Defensive Player of the Year after his senior season.

He chose Boise State over Arizona, Washington State, New Mexico State and Arizona State.

Tyler Gray

20 of 24

Player: Tyler Gray

Position: Linebacker

Size: 6'3", 215 lbs

Recruited From: Templeton High School- CA

Status: Enrolled at Boise State

Gray was an all-state first team selection following his senior season. He was also named to several other all-somethings.

In his senior season, he racked up an incredible 143 tackles and over 1600 yards as a running back. This guy is simply incredible, and you can expect that to continue.

Look for Gray to become a monster at BSU.