By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2013 Idaho Statesman
The Broncos don’t practice today. Above is Chris Petersen’s press conference from Tuesday. Below is my report on the defensive backs. In tomorrow’s paper, I’ll have a story on returning defensive starters Demarcus Lawrence, Sam Ukwuachu and Darian Thompson — all of whom excelled last season as major college football rookies.
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POSITION REPORT: DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returning starters (2 of 4): Junior Jeremy Ioane was second on the team with 70 tackles and tied for second with three interceptions last season, his first year as a starter. Sophomore Darian Thompson started the last six games after the suspension to Lee Hightower and finished eighth on the team with 43 tackles and also made three interceptions. Thompson’s breakout season was a surprise under the circumstances, but not to his coaches. “We knew going into training camp of 2012 that he had a chance because he knew all the positions and was making plays in practice,” defensive backs coach Jimmy Lake said. “And sure enough, when his opportunity came, he cashed in and made a lot of big plays on game day. And we’re expecting that from him again.”
Starters lost: CB Jamar Taylor, CB Jerrell Gavins
Returning contributors: Junior Bryan Douglas was so impressive last season that he stole some playing time from Gavins, including the starting assignment in the first three games. But Douglas tore an anterior cruciate ligament Oct. 27 at Wyoming. He’s out for spring ball — with an expected return to full strength in August. Sophomore Donte Deayon dropped his redshirt after the injury to Douglas and was the No. 3 corner when the season ended, gaining valuable experience. Sophomore safety Dillon Lukehart played a ton on special teams and a bit on defense and senior Ebo Makinde shifted from corner to safety to provide depth. He’ll stay there.
Other players to watch: Junior Deon’tae Florence is a playmaker who should benefit greatly from his first spring ball. He already has at least three interceptions this spring. Redshirt freshman safety Chanceller James was one of the top redshirts last fall.
Way-too-early projected starters: CB Douglas, CB Deayon/Florence, SS Ioane, FS Thompson
Roster:
Cornerback
1 Bryan Douglas, 5-9, 170, R-Jr.
16 Deon’tae Florence, 5-9, 171, R-Jr.
39 Cleshawn Page, 5-8, 173, Jr.
17 Promise Amadi, 5-9, 180, R-So.
30 Donte Deayon, 5-9, 151, So.
18 Chaz Anderson, 5-10, 183, R-Fr.
Safety
37 Ebo Makinde, 5-10, 179, R-Sr.
10 Jeremy Ioane, 5-10, 189, R-Jr.
34 Taylor Loffler, 6-3, 212, R-So.
35 Darian Thompson, 6-1, 201, R-So.
28 Dillon Lukehart, 6-0, 202, R-So.
22 Chanceller James, 6-1, 202, R-Fr.
Incoming recruits: CB Dionza Blue, CB Jonathan Moxey, CB Cameron Hartsfield, CB Mercy Maston, S Thomas Sperbeck
Notes/quotes:
— The cornerback recruiting class of 2013 will prove influential in Boise State’s success the next few years. Of the five signees, the Broncos likely will play at least two this season by necessity and could play more depending on how they perform. Cleshawn Page (video below) is here this spring; the other four arrive in the summer. “They call us all the time,” Lake said of the four summer additions. “They want to know what defense we’re running. I have no doubt they’re going to come in here prepared and ready to battle for a starting position.”
— The Broncos have five cornerbacks in spring ball, including walk-on Promise Amadi, who is ineligible this season because of NCAA transfer rules. “It’s a great opportunity for those guys right now,” Lake said. “They’re going to get a lot of reps. And now’s the time for them to learn this defense and try to make plays. When we go into fall, there’s going to be four more corners and they’re all going to be fighting for playing time, so they have a little advantage now of learning the defense and getting 15 practices under their belt. They’re an excited group right now. They’re flying around.”
— Thompson finished last season with three interceptions and a fumble recovery for a total of 30 return yards. “We talked trash to him pretty good in meetings,” Lake said. “He can catch the ball really well. We want to see him return one for a touchdown this year.”
— Redshirt sophomore safety Taylor Loffler finally is healthy. He tore an ACL in high school and joined the Broncos in summer 2011 knowing he wouldn’t be able to practice. One day into spring ball in 2012, he sustained another torn ACL. His combination of size (6-foot-3, 212 pounds) and athleticism had coaches excited about him when he signed — and Lake, who wasn’t here then, is intrigued, too. “To his credit, the rest of spring football (last year) he was in every single meeting and all fall he was in every single meeting, taking notes,” Lake said. “That’s what those guys have to do, not get lost in the shuffle. Taylor did a good job of keeping his head in football. You can tell, he’s bright-eyed every day coming in because now he gets to actually put the cleats on and run around and make plays.”
Chadd,
More good stuff, looks like a really strong group and just shows that Coach Pete wasn’t kidding when he said these positions are critical to the success of the team. Have to feel for Taylor Loffler, and hope that he can bounce back after two years of setbacks. Also, have to love Coach Lake’s appreciation of his effort.
Having 10 cornerbacks on the roster seems a bit excessive to me. I don’t see the need for more than 8 maximum. But better to have too many I guess than get caught short due to injuries (suspensions, etc.). Too bad they don’t carry that many defensive tackles and defensive ends.
Corners are heavily involved in special teams, so you need more of them than some other positions. But Jimmy Lake also mentioned on signing day that he prefers corners over safeties because you can always move a corner to safety and that corner is one of the most injury-prone positions. You wouldn’t think that, but given what’s happened to Boise State in recent years (2007, 2011, 2012) I guess it makes sense. … All that said, I’d guess they might have recruited an extra corner this year because it’s such a huge need. They have to come up with three or four really good players out of that bunch.
Remember the TCU game in 2011 when were dinged up at the cornerback position and down to the bottom of the backups? Well, Casey Pachall kept throwing over our heads and we end up losing the game along with a chance for an appearance in a BCS game. MAACO bowl was the result of not having enough depth at the cornerback position. Don’t think Coach Pete wants to see that happen again.
Probably the greatest asset the Bronco secondary has is Coach Lakes. He came in last year and really did a great job. His aggressive approach and emphasis on turnovers really made a difference for the team last year. You can also tell from Chadd’s reports and from the way his players perform that he inspires his players to improve and excell. And he has the background and experience to provide them with the knowledge and technique they need.
Sorry I mistakenly added an “s” to Coach Lake.