Boise State Football Recruiting: Power Ranking the Last 5 Recruiting Seasons

Boise State is not known for having so called "elite" recruiting classes. In fact, from 2008 to 2011 the highest ranking that Scouts.com has ever given a Broncos recruiting class was No. 60 in 2009.

However, even though BSU has had little praise for their recruiting classes, on-the-field production continues to impress.

Could it be that recruiting rankings cannot possibly measure accurately the potential of a player and the size of his heart. Chris Petersen is a master at recognizing both.

Keeping that in mind, let's power rank the Broncos last five recruiting classes from 2008 to 2012 and see how they stack up.

No. 5: 2011

The 2011 recruiting class had a few solid recruits. However, some of the players in this group have yet to live up to the billing, while others have been extremely disappointing.

Kicker Jake Van Ginkel was supposed to come in and make sure that Boise State would not repeat the painful Reno moment again. However, it didn't turn out that way. Van Ginkel's year never panned out, and this year there is yet another kicker in the latest recruiting class.

Taylor Loffler was another player with high expectations. He is a big, fast and strong defensive back that has a ton of potential. However, an ACL injury landed him on the sidelines. It was disappointing for him and for Bronco Nation.

Jay Ajayi came to Boise State as the latest Texas running back with lots of upside. However, an injury and an arrest and conviction for shoplifting put him on the sidelines and coach Petersen's hot seat.

The 2011 class did have Jimmy Laughrea, Sam Ukwuachu, Dallas Burroughs and local stand out Dillon Lukehart. Each one of these guys has the potential to step up and make their mark. Collectively they could raise the 2011 recruiting class value as well.

Check back in 2013 for their progress.

No. 4: 2009

The 2009 recruiting class is a mixed bag. On one hand you have Joe Southwick, but on the other you have Quaylon Ewing who was dismissed from the team.

This whole class is one of ups and downs.

You have Kirby Moore who played a year then was redshirted for development. Malcolm Johnson was a running back with promise, but an ACL issue ended his quest.

You also have Michael Tamburo, a quarterback out of Georgia that came to Boise but then left. Where did he go? Back to Georgia to join the Bulldogs just in time for those same Bulldogs to take on the Broncos in the season opener last year.

When you look at the list of the 2009 Boise State recruiting class you see guys who have done well, but besides Winston Venable, who was a junior college transfer, none have had a breakout season.

Ricky Tjong-A-Tjoe, Geraldo Hiwat a.k.a. Geraldo Boldewijn, Jake Broyles, Charles Leno, Gabe Linehan, Ebenezer Makinde and Aaron Burks are all part of the 2009 class. Each one has shown that they could contribute, but none have really stood out -- yet.

No. 3: 2010

The 2010 recruiting class is not the biggest in size, but it has some girth to it.

Some of the notable players in this class include Matt Miller, Grant Hedrick, Jeremy Ioane, Troy Ware, Tyler Horn and junior college transfer Tyrone Crawford.

Grant Hedrick is of course one of four outstanding quarterbacks fighting for the starting spot this year for the Broncos. He played in limited packages last year, mostly running the ball out of a "wildcat" type offense. Look for him to contribute even if he doesn't earn the starting job this year.

Matt Miller came on the scene in a big way last year. After losing Titus Young and Austin Pettis people wondered who would step up at wide receiver. Well, it was Miller time in 2011, and you can expect more in 2012.

Troy Ware has looked good in practice this Spring, and you can count on him being a force for the offense come fall.

Tyrone Crawford will be missed, but his impact will always be remembered. The Broncos have one or two junior college transfers a year that usually make an impact. Crawford certainly did that and then some.

The 2010 recruiting class was a good one and it is still producing.

No. 2: 2008

The 2008 recruiting class was a good one. A few of these guys are still around, but some of them are getting ready to play in the NFL.

George Iloka, Byron Hout and Chase Baker were all part of this group. Each one made their mark at Boise State.

Mitch Burroughs, Tommy Smith, Joe Kellogg, Jamar Taylor, Spencer Gerke, Faraji Wright, Raphiel Lambert, Chris Potter and Chandler Koch were all part of the 2008 class as well.

Overall, this group has been solid. There were a few disappointments, but the good has certainly outweighed the bad.

Look for several of these same players to finish strong in 2012.

No. 1: 2012

It is difficult to rank a recruiting class that hasn't played a down yet. However, this one is special.

In fact, as mentioned earlier, the highest ranking that Scouts.com had given a Broncos recruiting class between 2008 and 2011 was No. 60 in 2009. However, this years group ranked No. 56.

Top to bottom there are some incredibly talented players full of potential and promise.

Jack Fields is an incredible running back. If you watch his highlights he may remind you of Doug Martin. He is fast, strong, agile and powerful.

Of course, many Boise State fans are excited to see what the young quarterback out of Florida will do. Nick Patti is an incredible athlete, and his highlight film is truly impressive.

If he becomes the quarterback that many think he can be, his career at Boise State will be amazing. He is fast, mobile and can throw the ball on a rope. Look for him to do great things at BSU.

Ben Weaver is a defensive player to watch. He was ranked No.17 at the ILB position by ESPN.com and was highly recruited. Arizona, Cal, Louisville, Houston, Utah, Air Force, Navy, Texas Tech and Wyoming all offered him a scholarship. He chose Boise State, and should be a great one for the Broncos.

Mario Yakoo is another player to watch. He is a big and strong, just what an offensive lineman should be. He was recruited by Oregon State and UCLA, but he will be wearing the Orange and Blue in 2012.

Other incredible players in this group are Andrew Pint, an outstanding linebacker out of Colorado. Christopher Santini a Safety from San Jose, Travis Averill an offensive lineman from Servite High School in Anaheim, California, Donte Deayon an outstanding corner from Fontana, kicker Sean Wale and Devan Demas another good running back from Houston, Texas.

Add to this list a couple of great junior college transfers in tight end Connor Peters and defensive end Demarcus Lawrence and you have the makings of something special.

Time will tell if this group lives up to the billing. However, the potential is there. It is that incredible potential that lands them No. 1 on this list.

For a complete breakdown of this class check out this article on Bleacher Report.

2012 Recruiting Class:

• Ben Weaver, ILB
• Mario Yakoo, OG
• Travis Averill, OG 
• Donte Deayon, CB
• Chanceller James, S
• Andrew Pint, ILB
• Christopher Satini, S
• Devan Demas, RB
• Jack Fields, RB
• Steven Baggett, OG 
• Chaz Anderson, CB
• Sean Wale, K
• Armand Nance, TE
• D.J. Dean, WR
• Shane Williams-Rhodes, ATH 
• Darien Barrett, DE
• Nick Patti, QB
• Chris Collins, OLB
• Elliot Hoyte, OT
• Tyler Gray, OLB
• Hayden Plinke, TE
• Sam McCaskill, DE
• Demarcus Lawrence, DE 
• Connor Peters, TE