Boise State Football: 5 Guys Who Need a Great Spring Performance

This spring will be one of the most intriguing in Boise State history. There are several key position battles that are going to heat up along with the weather.

The Broncos are in what some call a "rebuilding" year, but there is a ton of talent still on the BSU roster.

There are 26 seniors and several amazing incoming players in one of the greatest recruiting classes in team history, and all of them will be competing for the opportunity to represent the Blue and Orange.

Some players are looking for their first chance to shine, while others are looking to make the most of their last opportunity.

How will it all turn out? Who knows? But, one thing for sure is that for some players this will be a make-or-break spring. Let's look at the five guys that will need to step it up this spring if they want to make their mark for the Broncos.

Jay Ajayi

Jay Ajayi came to Boise State last year with high hopes and high expectations. That all ended with a knee injury and then a shoplifting arrest.

To say he is on head coach Chris Petersen's "thin ice" list would be putting it mildly.

Ajayi is an incredible player, but he will need to prove himself this spring. Chances are he won't see a lot of playing time in spring ball, but he will need to show his commitment to getting better, and he had better prove he has learned a valuable lesson from his arrest and conviction of a petty theft misdemeanor.

He will certainly not have any more chances thrown his way.

If anyone needs to have a good spring, it's Ajayi. Again, it might be limited as far as what he can do on the field, but right now that is probably secondary.

Lee Hightower

Lee Hightower was at one time named the heir apparent to George Iloka. Those are huge cleats to fill. Hightower did show some of that talent last year, but he has much more to do before he can be compared to Iloka.

Look for him to work hard this spring to prove he belongs. The Broncos secondary is in desperate need of rebuilding, and Hightower could be a key.

Can he live up to the expectations that are being placed on his shoulders? Some players crumble under such pressure, and it will be interesting to see if he can perform under these circumstances.

Dan Goodale

Dan Goodale is not to blame for the Broncos' loss to TCU. However, it was painful for the BSU faithful to watch another perfect season disappear on the foot of their kicker.

This spring will be a very fierce competition for the kicking spot. Redshirt freshman Jake Van Ginkel and true freshman Sean Wale will fight Goodale for the opportunity to kick field goals for the Broncos.

If Goodale wants to have a chance he will have to show something very special because Coach Petersen has more scholarship kickers on his roster than he is probably comfortable with.

This will be interesting to watch, and by the end of the spring we should have a pretty good idea of who is going to win the spot.

It is not often that the kicking competition makes headlines, but this year it just might.

Geraldo Boldewijn

Geraldo Boldewijn was supposed to be the Broncos' deep threat last year. While he did have his moments, he failed to live up to expectations.

He has the speed and talent to torch opposing defenses, but it will be interesting to see if he can match that with heart this year.

Look for him to come out this spring and work hard at proving he is what people expect.

Last year freshman Matt Miller stole the show, but look for Boldewijn to attempt to get some of that light shined his way. And he will get some serious competition from several receivers hungry to make their own mark. The speedster Dallas Burroughs and true freshman Shane Williams-Rhodes will attempt to prove they are deep threats themselves.

Still, with Boldewijn's size and speed the role as deep threat is his to lose. Look for him to shine come springtime.

Joe Southwick

Joe Southwick is the most seasoned of all quarterback prospects on the Broncos 2012 squad, and he is going to work hard to prove he deserves the starting nod.

However, as most know, this spring is going to be one of the greatest quarterback competitions in Boise State history. Sophomore Grant Hedrick will not just roll over, and neither will redshirt freshman Jimmy Laughrea. You can expect both of them to push Southwick to the brink.

However, the one that has most fans intrigued is true freshman Nick Patti. Could lightning strike twice? Could another amazing freshman come in and become a Bronco legend?

Patti has been labeled by many as the "next Kellen Moore." However, that is not fair to him or to Moore. There is only one Kellen Moore, and to place those kind of expectations on any player is just not appropriate.

Still, it will be intriguing to see how Patti stacks up. You can bet Southwick is not going to simply step aside for the pesky freshman. Look for Southwick to step up and play to the highest level he has ever achieved.

It will be an interesting spring, and the quarterback competition will be the main attraction.