Boise State Football: 4 Breakout Players for BSU

The Boise State Broncos enter the 2012 season with so many unknowns and uncertainties. The questions are many, and the answers are few—at least for now. However, as the season commences you can expect key questions to be answered.

One of the biggest questions for this year's Boise State squad has to be which new or existing players will come out of the shadows to shine brightly for the Broncos?

Every year the Broncos have a handful of guys step up and become a force on the field. This season should be no different.

Looking at the current roster, there are a few players that should become household names in Bronco land by the time bowl season rolls around.

With that in mind let's look at possible candidates that have serious potential for a breakout season.

Samuel Ukwuachu

Sam Ukwuachu is a player to watch in 2012. He had a great spring and that should continue into the fall.

Ukwuachu is a 6'5", 218-pound defensive end with serious athletic ability. In high school he was a very good wide receiver as well, and his agility and finesse should only help him succeed as part of a rebuilt Bronco defense.

Ukwuachu played his high school ball at Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas, and was part of a 5A state championship team in 2010. He was also named first-team all-conference as a senior with 70 tackles and 10 sacks that year.

He redshirted last season, and that year of development looks like it is paying off. Coach Petersen and the rest of the coaching staff is excited about Ukwuachu and his potential.

He will be competing against another possible standout for playing time this season in Demarcus Lawrence. However, with the huge need for players to step up on defense, expect the Broncos coaching staff to get Ukwuachu in the mix.

Demarcus Lawrence

Demarcus Lawrence is an exciting addition to the Broncos roster in 2012. He comes in as a junior college transfer out of Butler Community College and played his high school ball in Aiken, South Carolina. He has three more years of eligibility.

As a freshman in 2011 at Butler CC, Lawrence earned second-team NJCAA All-American honors with 66 tackles, 10 sacks and 27 tackles for loss, according to BroncoSports.com.

Boise State coaches are no doubt hoping to see the same kind of production out of Lawrence as a Bronco. If the spring is any indication, they can expect it.

In an article in the Idaho Statesman this April, Chadd Cripe noted that Lawrence generated quite a buzz among coaches and players in spring practice. In that same article Cripe quotes senior nickel Dextrell Simmons about what he thought of the newcomer.

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“He’s been pretty impressive,” said senior nickel Dextrell Simmons, who arrived as a junior college transfer last spring. “He’s always running to the ball. I feel like he’s progressing faster than I did.”

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At 6'3" and 241 pounds, Demarcus Lawrence should be a force on the brand new Bronco defense. Look for him to cause people to remember his name and shake their heads in awe.

Corey Bell

Corey Bell is another name Bronco fans can expect to hear a lot of this season. He is a nickel with great athletic ability and plays with true grit.

Bell is a sophomore and saw some action last season as a freshman but mostly on special teams. However, this spring he solidified himself as a key player on the Bronco defense for 2012.

Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Bob Gregory was quoted in the Idaho Statesman about Bell's progress in the spring.

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“I’m excited to see what Corey can do. He’s playing really well right now.”

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Bell figures to be a key part of what the Broncos are doing on defense in 2012. Look for him to be a solid player and a household Bronco Nation name by midseason.

Blake Renaud

Remember the name Blake Renaud.

He is a 6'2", 250-pound linebacker who is coming into his own. This spring he made an impact on both coaches and players.

If you were at the Boise State spring game you saw his potential.

In the spring game this year Renaud looked good and had an interception during the game. He was all over the field and looked like the kind of player the Broncos have become accustomed to at linebacker.

During spring practice Renaud had several interceptions, and that should continue into the fall. Look for Renaud to frustrate opposing offenses all season.

He is poised to be another excellent linebacker in a long tradition of powerful workhorses in the center of the Boise State defense.

Others

The 2012 season should be another solid one for the Boise State Broncos. The talent is there and there are several key players who are poised to breakout this year.

You have seen the spotlight shined on four of those possible standouts. However, there are others on the team who have the potential to step up as well.

Look for Jake Van Ginkel to possibly become the kicker Bronco fans have been waiting for. He is very talented and seems ready to take the job.

Also, incoming freshmen Christopher Santini, Sam McCaskill and Jack Fields may turn a few heads. Look for each of these newcomers to make his case for playing time.

Redshirt freshman running back Jay Ajayi should make an impact if he is healthy, and redshirt freshman wide receiver Troy Ware could also make some serious noise.

Others that seem poised to have a great year are redshirt sophomore safety Jeremy Ioane and sophomore defensive back Lee Hightower.

There is certainly a load of talent on this year's Boise State team. If it all comes together it could be another remarkable campaign.