Boise State Football: Ranking the Broncos' Top 10 Recruiting Targets for 2015
Boise State head coach Bryan Harsin has to feel good about the fact that he has an entire year to land his 2015 recruiting class. He had just over a month to sign his 2014 class after being named the Broncos head coach in December of 2013.
Of course, the addition time adds other challenges, such as holding on to verbally committed teenagers for the duration.
Currently, the Broncos have handed out several offers to recruits for 2015. Let's look at 10 of those players in an effort to rank them by mutual interest and possible impact on the roster.
All stats and ratings via 247Sports
No. 10 Trent Irwin, WR
Although the Broncos haven't officially offered 4-star wide receiver recruit Trent Irwin, they have shown interest. However, so have several other notable schools.
Still, if Boise State could land Irwin, he would be quite the addition. He plays much like current Bronco Matt Miller and would fit nicely in a Bryan Harsin offense.
Irwin is from Hart High School in Newhall, Calif. At 6'2", 190 pounds, he has the size to be an intimidating force. He also has decent speed, clocking a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
No. 9 Darrell Stewart, ATH
Darrell Stewart has already verbally committed to the Broncos' 2015 class, but signing day is a long way away.
Stewart is out of Nimitz High School in Houston, Texas, where he plays against some elite competition. On film it is clear that he can play with the best of them. He can play quarterback, wide receiver or on the other side of the ball at safety.
At 6'0", 170 pounds, he would fit well as a wide receiver or at safety for the Broncos. He could be a very dynamic and fun player to watch on The Blue.
Keep an eye on Darrell Stewart; it will be interesting to see if the Broncos hold on to him.
No. 8 Chason Virgil, QB
West Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas turns out excellent football players. Dual-threat quarterback Chason Virgil is no exception.
At 6'2", 170 pounds, he probably needs to put on a little bit of weight, but that is one of the only criticisms you might be able to find when it comes to this 4-star athlete.
Chason has several other offers from some elite teams. Auburn, Clemson, Texas and UCLA are just some of the teams opening the door to him.
No. 7 Shane Lemieux, OG
The Broncos are going to need to add some offensive linemen to the roster in 2015. Shane Lemieux is a 3-star recruit out of West Valley High School in Yakima, Wash., and he would be a great fit.
However, other teams have the same idea. Right now, Lemieux has offers from Oregon, South Carolina and Arizona State.
Lemieux towers at 6'6" and weighs in at 285 pounds. Imagine what he is going to look like after adding some weight. He plays aggressive and manhandles his opponents. Boise State would be fortunate to land him.
No. 6 Landis Durham, DE
Landis Durham is a 3-star defensive end from Plano East High School in Plano, Texas. He is an incredible athlete, and it's hard to understand how he only earns 3-stars.
Other teams are taking notice as well. The Broncos offered Landis, but several other schools are looking at him. Oklahoma, Texas, Texas A&M and USC are some of those teams giving him a glance.
Durham would be a perfect fit in a Boise State defense. He can play end or linebacker. He would be an outstanding addition to the 2015 class for the Broncos.
No. 5 Prentice McKinney, S
Prentice McKinney is another Texas prospect on the Broncos' 2015 wish list. At 6'2", 180 pounds, he could be quite the force at safety for Boise State. In fact, with his speed and size, he could probably play as a true freshman.
Boise State has a legitimate chance at landing McKinney despite the fact that schools like Maryland, Michigan, Notre Dame and Oklahoma have offered him. The simple reason is defensive coordinator Marcel Yates.
Yates has quite the reputation of helping defensive secondary players prepare for the NFL. That goes a long way with young recruits dreaming of playing on Sundays.
No. 4 Darrell Miller, CB
Darrell Miller is a 3-star cornerback recruit from Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas. At 5'11", 173 pounds, he is a decent size for a corner, and he runs a 4.53 40-yard dash.
Miller has received offers from Houston and Utah along with the Broncos. However, other schools are showing interest, among them Baylor and Texas.
Still, with Marcel Yates doing the recruiting, the Broncos are going to be heavily in the mix.
No. 3 Josh Butler, CB
Josh Butler is another outstanding player from West Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. He has speed, agility and hits like a linebacker. He can also return punts with the best of them.
Butler would be an outstanding fit in a Marcel Yates defense. He is another player that could start as a true freshman, and he has the ability to become something very special.
The Broncos will get competition from schools like Texas A&M, Miami, Baylor and Tennessee, but only in Boise would Butler have the chance to be a four-year starter. That may be too much for him to pass up.
No. 2 Ykili Ross, CB
Ykili Ross stands 6'2" and weighs 185 pounds. That's great size for a cornerback. Maybe that's why Ross has several offers, including UCLA, Arizona State and interest from USC.
Ross would be a stellar addition to the Boise State 2015 class. It will be a challenge to land him, but it is not outside of the realm of possibility.
No. 1 Brett Rypien, QB
Brett Rypien is an outstanding 4-star quarterback recruit from Shadle Park High School in Spokane, Wash. He has good size at 6'2", 185 pounds, but he probably has an even better pedigree.
Rypien is the nephew of former Washington State quarterback Mark Rypien, who also won a Super Bowl MVP trophy while playing for the Washington Redskins.
Brett will take an official visit to Boise on April 5, 2014, and Broncos fans should be excited.