Boise State Football: 5 Players Poised to Break Out in 2012

Define the term "break out" and one definition might be to have the kind of season that has fans cheering every down that player is on the field or watching in anticipation. It could also be that the individual is a game-changer, capable of creating chaos for the other team's offensive, defensive or special teams coordinators.

Boise State had many such players in 2012, but the majority of them have graduated, which means it is time for a new crop of players to step up and set the tone on the field. Who will that be in the 2012-13 campaign? Take out the fact that there are some that have to step it up simply because replacements are eager for the shot at replacing them and put aside injuries that could take away a promising season.

Expectations run high for the Broncos in the year post-Moore, post-McClellin and post-Martin. Who has the potential to step it up?

Here are a few names, in no particular order, to track for the upcoming season...

1. D.J. Harper: Runningback

D.J. Harper is a six-year senior, having had two seasons cut short due to injury–which the NCAA, in turn, saw fit to grant him another year of eligibility. Harper played behind Ian Johnson and then Doug Martin.

His cumulative stats, according to the profile page on the Boise State Web site, has him averaging 5.2 yards per carry on 319 carries, with 24 touchdowns. But Harper can also receive out the backfield, and in 2011, he caught 19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Harper was named preseason Mountain West Conference second team, according to report on Broncosports.com, but the door is open for him on the 2012 roster to get the go-to running back, and he certainly has put in the time.

2. Jamar Taylor: Cornerback

Jamar Taylor missed four games due to injury in 2011, but in the nine games he did play, he picked off a pair of passes and was recorded as being part of 27 tackles, according to his bio page on Broncosports.com.

There were times in 2011 when the Bronco secondary got absolutely scorched by opposing passers, and someone has to take charge, inspire and lead; Taylor, a redshirt senior, and sophomore Lee Hightower may be the ones counted on to do just that.  

3. Matt Miller: Wide Receiver

As a redshirt freshman, all Matt Miller did was pull in 62 passes for 679 yards and nine touchdowns. OK, so we know he is good, but that was with Kellen Moore delivering strikes to all his receivers.

If the quartet of players vying for the starting spot behind center will achieve any kind of success, Miller will have to be a key ingredient. The only problem is that most teams know about him, which in turn means he will have to step it up a notch in his sophomore year.

4. Mitch Burroughs: Wide Receiver

Mitch Burroughs has played wideout and was the Broncos' top punt returner (No. 8 overall in the nation) with an average of 13.3 yards per return. In 2011, he hauled in 49 passes for 500 yards and a touchdown and also carried the ball 17 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns, according to the Broncosports Web site.

Also, according to another story on the site, Burroughs has been named preseason all-MWC conference by the 2012 Phil Steele College Football Preview.

Whoever turns out to be the quarterback for the Broncos will have to utilize Burroughs as one of go-to weapons in the upcoming season.

5. Demarcus Lawrence: Defensive Lineman

The 2012 season will be Demarcus Lawrence's first season in the blue and orange, after coming to BSU from Butler CC in Kansas.

At only 248 lbs, Lawrence may not have the bulk to play on the defensive line against much bigger offensive lineman, but he has the speed and power.

On the Phil Steele 2012 College Football preseason picks, Lawrence was named second-team All-Mountain West. With the likes of Billy Winn and Shea McClellin gone from the Bronco defensive front, Lawrence could be key to success on the defensive line.