Boise State Football: 2013 Recruiting Targets Still Available

The 2012 season should be a positive one for the Boise State Broncos, even if a fair amount of rebuilding will have to take place. One thing is for sure, however: The Broncos will have plenty of new talent eager to compete for a spot on the field.

The 2012 recruiting class is good—it might be the best in school history. Head coach Chris Petersen just continues to improve on the caliber of player he is able to land in Bronco land.

As the team moves to the Big East Conference in 2013, high-quality recruits might arrive in even larger doses. With the step up in competition and the inclusion in a BCS conference, the Broncos will, at the very least, get consideration from recruits they wouldn't have otherwise have had.

If the Broncos start to land those so-called "elite" recruits, that have proven elusive in past years, you have to wonder if it will affect the chemistry of the team?

You know coach Petersen won't sacrifice character on the altar of ego. After all, the Broncos pride themselves on a family atmosphere and a blue-collar work ethic. Elite players with a way too high opinion of themselves would certainly disturb the balance on "The Blue."

Still, there are no doubt a large number of excellent recruits that would fit the mold of a Petersen player and have the elite skills to go along with it. Will the 2013 recruiting class have any of those types of players?

BSU has already named three committed players to its 2013 recruiting class. While none of them are what would be considered elite, they are great talents in their own right.

Quarterback Ryan Finley out of Paradise Valley High School in Phoenix has committed, as have Alec Dhaenens and Joey Martarano of Fruitland High School in Fruitland, Idaho. All three of these players will be excellent additions.

Who will join them? Will any top recruits make their way to Boise in 2013? Only time will tell, but let's look at five of those possibilities.

DeSean Smith

Player: DeSean Smith

High School: Barbe High School, Lake Charles, La.

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 225 lbs.

Position: Tight End

You wouldn't think a player from Louisiana would be on a short list for Boise State recruits. However, this one should be and probably is.

He is big, strong, has good hands and runs a 4.71-second 40-yard dash. He is considered an elite recruit and proof of that is that he has offers from Alabama, Florida State, Florida, Notre Dame, LSU, Oklahoma and, yes, the Broncos, just to name a few.

While it might be a long shot, if the Broncos land this guy it would be an incredible grab.

Some of the pluses for coming to Boise State would be the family atmosphere, immediate playing potential, the offensive system that utilizes tight ends and immediate visibility and recognition.

Would that be enough to lure him west? At this point it is anyone's guess, but the Broncos are probably hoping it will.

Ebenezer Ogundeko

Player: Ebenezer Ogundeko

School: Thomas Jefferson High School, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 227 lbs.

Position: Defensive End

This guy is an incredible pass-rusher. He has strength, power, speed and plays with heart.

Yes, he is from New York, but Boise State's move to the Big East should prove valuable in the recruiting process.

Ogundeko has had several offers, but doesn't make the so called "elite" list. However, he is an incredible player that would be a great pick up for the Broncos.

The main competition in recruiting Ogundeko would appear to be Rutgers, Connecticut, Boston College and Maryland. All of these schools along with Boise State have offered him a scholarship.

He has a 3.5 GPA and seems to be the type of recruit the Broncos are looking for. It will be intriguing to see if he makes his way west in time for BSU to head east.

Tahaan Goodman

Player: Tahaan Goodman

School: Rancho Cucamonga High School, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 185 lbs.

Position: Safety

Goodman is a fast player with a load of athletic ability. He is a very highly rated elite recruit for the 2013 class, and Boise State may have a shot landing him.

He, like other elite recruits, has had offers from numerous schools. Oklahoma, Arizona State, Nebraska, Florida, Colorado and Boise State don't even complete half the list.

He would be a good fit for the Broncos defense. He plays like George Iloka, and could become everything he was for Boise State and more.

This is a guy BSU should certainly try to get.

Michael Hutchings

Player: Michael Hutchings

School: De La Salle High School, Concord, Calif.

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 210 lbs.

Position: Linebacker

Hutchings is an elite recruit the Broncos could land. This guy is an exceptional athlete and would fit in great on the Broncos defense.

There are only 19 other schools so far that have offered him a scholarship. However, those schools are only places like Notre Dame, Nebraska, UCLA, USC, Washington, Tennessee, Oregon, Oregon State and Michigan, just to name a few.

All joking aside, even with the large number of quality schools pursuing him, Hutchings may consider playing for the Broncos for a couple of reasons.

First, coming to Boise State as an elite recruit almost guarantees him the opportunity to win a starting spot in his first year. He would still have to earn it, of course, but some programs won't even give a player the opportunity.

Secondly, the atmosphere at BSU. Many recruits are surprised when they visit Boise. They like the city, the clean air and the people. The coaching staff makes them feel right at home and like one of the family.

If they can get this guy to visit, they have a better chance of landing him.

Tre' Bell

Player: Tre' Bell

School: St. Peter's Prep, Jersey City, N.J.

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 170 lbs.

Position: Cornerback

Bell could follow in the tradition of New Jersey native Kyle Wilson and come play for the Broncos. It would be a good fit for him and BSU.

He is a great player with good speed and quickness.

His offers keep piling up so it could be difficult to land him. Still, the Wilson angle probably gives the Broncos as good of chance as any.

2013 will be interesting for Boise State, and much of the recruiting success probably hinges on what happens this fall. However, the move east will be a shot in the arm and so will the return to ESPN.

Visibility and the ability to play right away is what many recruits are looking for. In 2013 the Broncos will have both.