Boise State Football Recruiting: Top 2013 In-State Recruits Who Can't Slip Away

The 2012 recruiting class is arguably the best in Boise State history. It will be exciting to see how this group of 24 outstanding players perform in coming years.

However, of the two dozen players who have signed to play for the Broncos in 2012, only one of them is an Idaho player. Wide receiver D.J. Dean from Eagle High School is the sole Idaho member of this year's recruiting class.

The Broncos missed signing another local star from the same high school as Dean. Tanner Mangum chose BYU over BSU, and that has to hurt a bit. The Broncos offered Mangum, but he declined. To lose a local player to a team that is a bit of a rival has to be painful.

Mangum is an excellent quarterback and even earned MVP honors at an Elite 11 quarterback camp. It is too bad he didn't choose to stay home, but the Broncos probably won't miss a beat at quarterback because of the signing of outstanding Florida recruit Nick Patti.

Still, losing local players is not something coach Chris Petersen probably enjoys. In 2013, there are a couple of local stand-outs who seem to be leaning the Broncos' way. However, nothing is guaranteed, and Boise State probably doesn't want to let any more local talent slip away.

Alec Dhaenens

Player: Alec Dhaenens

School: Fruitland High School, Fruitland, Idaho

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 235 lbs

Position: Tight End, Defensive End

Dhaenens has already committed to join the Broncos in 2013, but until ink is on paper you never know. He has offers from Washington State and Nevada, but that could increase if his senior season is what it could be.

The Broncos have plans for Alec at tight end or H-back, and with his size and speed you can expect him to shine.

Chances are that the Broncos won't lose this guy and we should see him in the Blue and Orange come 2013. He is a talented player with a bright future, and the Broncos do not want to let him slip away.

Joey Martarano

Player: Joey Martarano

School: Fruitland High School, Fruitland, Idaho

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 230 lbs

Position: Linebacker

The other player on this short list is out of Fruitland as well. For some reason they are growing some outstanding football players on the west side of the Treasure Valley.

There is no question that Martarano wants to play for Boise State. He has already committed. However, the trick in keeping this guy home has to do more with baseball than football.

Martarano is also an amazing baseball player. According to Brian Murphy of the Idaho Statesman, Martarano is expected to be drafted to play professional baseball in the 2013 draft.

It will be a difficult decision for this young man, who certainly has potential to be a standout player for the Broncos.

Coach Petersen has recruited Martarano as an outside linebacker or defensive end, and it would be a shame to lose someone with that kind of hitting power to baseball.

It will be interesting to see which sport he chooses, but you have to believe coaches at Boise State are hoping this one doesn't get away.

Recruits in Idaho

The state of Idaho isn't exactly a "hotbed" for football talent. However, there are always some amazing players who come out of the Gem State. With the popularity and rise of Boise State football, you can probably expect more young players to strive for the dream of playing on "The Blue" one day.

In the coming years, there will no doubt be an increase of players from all over Idaho who work harder than ever for the chance to play for the Broncos. Until then, only a handful of players each year make the grade.

There are currently 17 players on the Boise State roster who played their high school football in-state, and several others who have made their mark at BSU over the years who have local roots.

In the coming months there may be some other Idaho players who make their way up the watch list of the Boise State coaching staff. If nothing else, there will no doubt be those who show up and walk on.

We know that Coach Petersen doesn't want to miss any talent close to home.