Boise State Football: The 5 Most Underappreciated Players in School History

The Boise State Broncos have had many players over the years that have shined brightly against the backdrop of that famous blue turf. Many of those players are remembered by the fans for the incredible accomplishments and contributions they had as Broncos.

However, there are some who never garnered the attention of the fanbase. These were unselfish gridiron warriors who faded into the ocean of the team, and yet without them BSU history would have been much different.

Still, there is another group of Broncos who had fan love, but never got the accolades they deserved, and all these in combination make up what Bronco football is all about.

It is on the backs of those undercredited, underappreciated and sometimes underawarded players that a blue-collar program like Boise State has been built.

Brick by brick, heart by heart and with blood, sweat and tears, players not seeking their own glory have helped to build a program that has inspired a generation of underdogs.

This is a tribute to those somewhat forgotten players who have helped make Boise State what it is today. We look at five of them here, but there are hundreds out there.

Colt Brooks

Colt Brooks is what a Bronco player should be. He is tough, strong, determined and willing to do whatever is asked of him.

He is an example of a player who had fan love, but was often left out when it came to recognition and awards as a player.

Brooks was a walk-on. He showed up in 2002 and made it impossible for coaches to cut him. He redshirted but then strapped on his helmet and became a special teams bruiser in 2003.

In 2004, Brooks earned a spot on the defense. He played inside linebacker and had 40 tackles.

All he did in his junior year was double that total. He was fourth on the team with 80 tackles and six sacks.

He then went on to have another 56 tackles his senior year, and he posted another six sacks. He also had an interception and helped the Broncos to a perfect season.

The crazy thing about Brooks is that he was only named to the All-WAC second team one time. Fans loved him, but he never got the respect or accolades he deserved.

Colt Brooks was a true Bronco and he should always be remembered as such.

Kyle Brotzman

Kyle Brotzman did so much for the Broncos in his career. However, what people seem to only remember is the night in Nevada when his kick missed by inches.

Yes, it was a heart-breaking night, but the blame is not Brotzman's to carry. The BSU defense got tired in that second half and missed tackle after tackle. Nevada's offense was allowed to move up and down the field.

Not only that, but the Bronco's offense missed several opportunities themselves that night. If you remember Boise State had a 17-point halftime lead.

So, to put it on Brotzman was not right. Fans, for the most part, know that now, but the emotion of the night caused some to put it all on Kyle.

That night in Reno should not define a player like Brotzman. He did too much for BSU over the years. It is easy to forget that it was his pass on a fake punt that gave the Broncos the win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

It is easy to forget that it was Brotzman who broke the NCAA record for scoring by a single player. That mark of 439 points still stands and it will be hard to beat.

Boise State should be proud of what Kyle Brotzman did. Yes, the night in Reno was painful for the Bronco faithful, but it shouldn't tarnish an otherwise stellar career.

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas was an outstanding running back from 1988 to 1991 for the Broncos. He was one of the most consistent players in the history of Boise State.

Coaches could count on him carrying the ball in every situation and usually with good results. When you look at his statistics you see the kind of player that BSU still looks for. He was tough and willing to pound it out.

He is fourth all time in school history for rushing yards at 3,437. That nearly puts him in the top 50 in NCAA history.

Thomas carried the ball over 800 times, and he is second only to Brock Forsey. He also had 32 career rushing touchdowns which is fourth in Bronco history, and he is fourth in 100-yard career rushing games at 13.

He averaged over 200 carries per year and had some incredible multi-purpose games including 268 yards against Idaho in 1989, and he is fifth all time for Boise State in career all-purpose yards.

Thomas is often forgotten when the great players of Boise State are spoken of. However, he shouldn't be, and on this list he isn't.

Wes Nurse

Wes Nurse was an incredible force on the defense for the Broncos from 2000 to 2003. Many might remember his name, but it seems he never got the credit he deserved.

With all that Nurse did on the field he was only named to an All-WAC team once.

Over his career he had 294 tackles, 10 interceptions and 14 pass deflections. He was a versatile player for the Broncos starting his career as a cornerback then moving to safety when the starter at that position was injured.

In 2002, Nurse had 89 tackles and three interceptions. In 2003, he was third on the team in tackles with 84 but 41 of those were solo. He also had five interceptions that same year with one touchdown and nine pass deflections.

Wes Nurse was a Bronco through and through. He may not have gotten the accolades he deserved, but his play was certainly not the problem.

Taylor Tharp

Taylor Tharp never broke records at Boise State. In fact, he only really saw playing time in the 2007 season. So, how does he make this list? Well, because he is the definition of a true Bronco.

Tharp redshirted in 2003 and then became the backup in 2004. He did a fine job behind Jared Zabransky and when he was able to play he made the most of it.

In 2005, he was once again the backup to Zabransky. He saw limited playing time, but just kept showing up without complaint.

In 2006, once again Tharp stood on the sidelines most of the season doing whatever was asked of him.

It wasn't until 2007 that Tharp would get his shot at the starting spot. Of course, it wasn't going to be easy. He was trying to replace Zabransky who had just come off the greatest victory in BSU history over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl.

However, even with a rebuilding year and the pressure of replacing "Z," Tharp stepped up.

The Broncos went 10-3 that season, which was good considering all things. But what makes that year so special is the fact that Tharp is a great example of what it means to be a Bronco.

He spent four seasons either as a redshirt or a backup before he ever got his shot. Then when he did get his chance he made the most of it.

Tharp threw for 3,090 yards and completed 259 passes in 2007 and led the Broncos to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl. The Broncos lost that game in thrilling fashion after Tharp almost brought them back late in the game.

Tharp's playing time was only one season. It was sandwiched between Jared Zabransky and Kellen Moore. It is easy to forget about a player like that, but in Tharp's case it shouldn't happen.

Taylor stands as a shining example of an unselfish player that put the team first.

Boise State should create an award every year for the player that is the best example of putting the team ahead of personal ambition.

They should call it the Taylor Tharp award.