Boise State Football: The Offseason 'To Do' List for the Broncos

The Broncos are facing the biggest "re-building" year in recent memory. With significant losses on both sides of the ball, a tremendous amount of work is ahead for the Boise State coaching staff and the new and returning players.

Gone is that incredible senior class that won a staggering 50 games over the course of its last four years. Gone is the most prolific quarterback in BSU history in Kellen Moore.

Gone is the future NFL star running back Doug Martin, who only seemed to get better and better. Gone is that dominating defense that had made a name for itself.

In total Boise State lost 14 starting players from last year's team. Six of those players were on offense, while the defense was stripped of eight.

To say it is going to be a challenge to play to the level that players, coaches and fans have come accustomed to would be an overwhelming understatement.

However, it is not as if the entire team left town. Even if it seems like most of them did. There are some key components still in place that should help the Broncos build upon a solid foundation.

First, let's take a look at the areas where the Broncos are strong. Then we will consider the areas that will certainly need some work.

First, the Good News on Offense

Running back D.J. Harper and center Cory Yriarte were both granted a sixth year of eligibility because of injuries that caused them to miss entire seasons. The leadership and experience both players bring to the table will be extremely valuable in the 2012 season.

Not only that, but several key lineman are coming back next season. Jake Broyles will be coming back from injury, and his talent on the line will be most welcome. Tackle Charles Leno is back and so is guard Joe Kellogg. Both of those guys will help to stabilize the offensive line.

Another key returning player will be full back Dan Paul. The Broncos were without him most of last season because of injury, but he will be back. This will help the running game, and in certain pass protections.

The freshman breakout star at wide receiver last season is also returning. Matt Miller will be back for his sophomore year, and you can expect him to continue his success. Kirby Moore will also be back at that same position and so will Geraldo Boldewijn, Chris Potter, Aaron Burks, and Mitch and Dallas Burroughs.

At the tight end spot, Gabe Linehan will be back, and he will have some help from Chandler Koch.

As mentioned before, D.J. Harper will return at running back. If he can stay healthy, you can expect an incredible year from him.

At quarterback, the position most on the minds of Bronco fans, you have two returning players with game experience. Joe Southwick and Grant Hedrick made appearances last season for BSU. You can expect them to compete hard for the starting job. However, don't count out Jimmy Laughrea or the new comer Nick Patti. But, we will come back to that later.

Overall, the Broncos have some good tools left in the tool box for the 2012 season. It will be exciting to see if they get the job done.

Next, the Good News on Defense

Okay, there is not a lot of good news on defense.

But, there is some, so let's take a look.

First, the returning starters. Cornerback Jamar Taylor, nickle Jonathan Brown and cornerback Jerrell Gavins will all be back. Gavins of course, is coming off an injury, but he should be just fine.

Linebackers J.C. Percy and Tommy Smith will return, as will safety Lee Hightower, and defensive linemen Mike Atkinson and Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe.

Other notable returns on the defensive side include Tyler Horn at defensive end and cornerback Ebenezer Makinde.

It will be a massive task to rebuild this defense. However, the Broncos have some key building blocks, and coaches will certainly be looking for players to step it up.

To Do List Item One: Promote a Vision

Promoting a vision is something that Chris Petersen knows a lot about. It has been that ability that has helped him to land recruits, inspire his players and excite the fanbase.

Petersen must inspire this year's team to go far beyond expectations. With the large number of new players, it will be important to get them acclimated to the culture at Boise State and to get those players to believe in the system.

It usually isn't a problem for the inspirational coach, but this year will bring a tougher challenge than in previous years. If for no other reason than just sheer numbers. However, if we know anything about Coach Pete it is that he loves a good challenge.

Look for a great theme for the 2012 season, and look for every player to commit fully to the vision and the work needed to carry it out.

To Do List Item Two: Promote Competition

Coach Petersen knows that competition is good, and this year it could actually be great.

There will be several key competitions in the spring, none more intriguing that quarterback.

Joe Southwick, Grant Hedrick, Jimmy Laughrea and new kid on the block Nick Patti will be involved in what could be the biggest quarterback competition in Bronco history.

Patti enrolled in January so that he could compete for the starting spot, and if you know anything about this kid, you know he means business.

Southwick and Hedrick won't just roll over, and you can expect Laughrea to prove he shouldn't be left out of the conversation. It will be an incredible spring, and by the time the spring game rolls around, it will be interesting to see how each of these guys is doing.

Of course, quarterback is only one of several competitions that will commence in the spring and continue right on into the fall.

It will be intriguing to see what a time of extreme competition and testing will do for the Broncos. It should only make them better.

To Do List Item Three: Build a Defense

Building a defense will not be easy for the Broncos. However, with some key players returning the coaches will not have to start from scratch. But, they will definitely need to add some key ingredients.

The success of the BSU defense for next season will rest on three factors.

The first factor will be the effectiveness of the coaching staff. It will be quite a task to bring all of the new and existing players together and create one cohesive unit. Again, returning players help, but they can only do so much for the new guys.

Next, the players who were on the roster last year and saw little or no playing time will need to step up in a mighty big way. It will be interesting to see who makes a name for themselves in spring ball.

Lastly, there will need to be at least two or three players from this year's recruiting class who make an immediate impact.

Look for Demarcus Lawrence to be one of those guys. He is a junior college transfer and has three years of eligibility. He is big, strong, athletic and exceptional as a defensive end.

Other players who may make a splash in their first year of swimming on "The Blue" are defensive end/linebacker Darien Barret, linebacker Tyler Gray, linebacker Ben Weaver and safety Chanceller James.

If these three areas can be satisfied, it will be a good season for the Broncos defense. If not, it could be frustrating to watch.

To Do List Item Four: Build an Offense

Realizing that none of this is rocket science, the next thing the Broncos must do is rebuild that potent offense.

One of the unique challenges that Boise State will face is big change, but not just with the players.

Not only did Boise State lose several key starters such as Kellen Moore and Doug Martin, but they also lost their offensive coordinator to Florida. Brent Pease decided to take his shot at commanding the offense of an SEC team, and who can blame him. Do you know how much those guys make per year?

However, losing coach Pease was not necessarily a horrible thing. Yes, he is a good coach, but the way he led the offense last year had some fans frustrated.

Complaints were often leveled at the way the offense rarely stretched the field last season. Now, some of that was because of personnel issues. The Broncos didn't have an extreme down-field threat as in years past, so the short to mid-range shots may have been all that was available. We may never know.

The new coordinator, Robert Prince, will no doubt be a great fit for a fresh start Bronco offense.

Look for Prince to open it up and get creative. He will have some talent to work with, but "trickeration" is always good when you may lack some depth. Prince and Petersen worked together at BSU when Petersen was the O.C., and you can bet the creative juices are already flowing.

The key position, quarterback, has already been covered. However, it will be great to see who comes out on top. At this point it is anyone's guess.

Running back will be another interesting battle. D.J. Harper will return, but new guy Jack Fields may also make an impression. Add to that a healthy fullback in Dan Paul, and some other guys who contribute such as Drew Wright, and possible freshman Devan Demas. With all that going for them, the Broncos should have a decent running game in 2012.

The line should be solid, and wide receiver and tight end have some key players coming back.

The offense will be easier to build than the defense, but it will all hinge on those players who take it upon themselves to play beyond the level they ever thought they could. To play at the level Boise State is used to, it will take an exceptional effort.

To Do List Item Five: Continue the Special Teams Tradition

Special teams will need to remain special, but it will be a bit of a challenge.

Another coach departed the Broncos in the offseason. Jeff Choate decided to join Mike Leach at Washington State.

Choate had been the coach behind the dominating special teams for Boise State.

With him gone, coach Petersen gave the task to continue the special teams tradition to coach Scott Huff. Coach Huff is the tight ends and fullbacks coach, but now he adds special teams to his list of duties. If you know anything about coach Huff, you know that Petersen made the right choice.

Huff should be able to continue the special teams greatness. He will also have a lot of new players to choose from. Look for a few young guys to make their name flying down the field in an effort to prove they belong.

To Do List Item Six: Work on the Kicking Game

The kicking game is a very sore subject for Bronco fans, and it would be a crime to leave it off any BSU 'to do' list.

The "Achilles heel" for the mighty Broncos has been the foot.

You know the history, the heartache and the pain of missed field goals, Boise State fans, and a consistent kicker is on many a wish list.

There are going to be three or four kickers on the roster next season.

Dan Goodale showed some potential last season, but he will need to improve to win the starting spot. Incoming freshman Sean Wale will be one to watch, and so will Jake Van Ginkel.

This will be another one of those healthy competitions that should produce an excellent starter. Let's hope whoever wins the job has an incredible year, and who knows, maybe even win a game on a last-second kick.

How refreshing would that be?

To Do List Item Seven: Remember Who They Are and Who They Represent

Sometimes before you go forward, you have to look back.

A time of reflection is good if it is used as a form of motivation rather than longing for the "good old days."

Boise State has become a special place to play, and it wouldn't hurt to remind every player on the 2012 team of how far the Broncos have come and what is expected.

You could just hear Chris Petersen giving his guys a speech.

Something like this:

Men, you are part of the team that inspired a generation of young football players. You are part of the team that so many underdogs look to for inspiration.

Yours is the jersey that so many long to wear, and a logo so many hope to represent.

You are are a beacon to the player lost in the ocean of comments and commentators who tell him that he isn't big enough, fast enough, or strong enough to play.

You are part of the team that lets it all hang out. You are part of those who risk it all for the honor of absolute sacrifice in the pursuit of victory.

You are part of the team known for the crazy, unpredictable and jaw-dropping plays that have become a signature trademark.

You are now part of the pioneers of inspiration that have caused teams at every level of competition to emulate and imitate.

Men! This is not the time for us to retreat, surrender, back down, back up, give up or give in.

We are Boise State!

We don't avoid any challenge, we take them head on.

It is a time for you to sweat, strive, sacrifice and shine.

We must remember who we are and who we represent.

We are more than a team, and we represent more than a school.

We are a nation, and thousands march with us!

What to expect: 

If the Broncos are able to do everything on this 'to do' list, it will be a surprising and inspiring season. Look for Coach Petersen to do one of his best coaching jobs ever. It seems whenever he is challenged and told something is impossible, critics end up walking away shaking their heads.

Next season will probably be no exception.