Boise State Football

The Boise State football team returned to practice after a week off for spring break. From all indications it was another productive and positive week for the Broncos, but now it's crunch time as they prepare for two scrimmages in the next eight days.

The first scrimmage will be held on Saturday April 5 at 5 p.m., and it will be open only to the media, invited guests, Boise State faculty, staff and students.

Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman had an excellent breakdown of head coach Bryan Harsin's weekly press conference this week. In the article, Cripe quotes Harsin and his thoughts about the benefits of a campus community only scrimmage. Harsin said: 

They're a huge support system for us, not just on game day. We do have student-athletes who play for us. There's a lot more to it than what goes on on game day. It's more about an appreciation of what they do for us, what they've done for us and what they can do for us.

This campus community scrimmage is something new for the Broncos in 2014, and another sign that the football team is definitely under new management.

The second scrimmage will be held April 12 at 5 p.m., and it will be the annual blue and orange spring game which is open to any and all who purchase tickets.

Boise State also released another all-access video this week, which brings the total to four such videos this spring, with the promise of a fifth one right around the corner. Like the campus-only scrimmage, these videos are a new addition to the spring routine, and so far they have been well received.

As far as the action on the field, several players stood out this week. Senior wide receiver Matt Miller was named in the list of players of the day twice this week, bringing his spring total to three.

Other notable players making the list this week were offensive lineman Travis Averill and defensive tackle Armand Nance.

A new name unfamiliar to many Boise State fans also found mention, as redshirt freshman wide receiver David McKinzie was named special teams player of the day on April 2.

A local player also made the grade in week four. Redshirt freshman wide receiver D.J. Dean made "several tough catches," according to BroncoSports.com, and that was good enough for him to be named offensive player of the day. Dean played his high school football at Eagle High School in Eagle, Idaho.

Cornerbacks Donte Deayon, Bryan Douglas and Jonathan Moxey also made the player of the day lists, but it was running backs and linebackers recognized as position groups of the day.

The next week of action is going to be a crucial one for the Broncos. Not only will they hold a pair of scrimmages on consecutive Saturdays, but they will also host about 100 high school juniors during those crucial scrimmage days.

Cripe also quotes Harsin about how important those visits can be:

We get a chance to meet them face to face and then take them through the facilities. They get to see the coaches coach. The biggest thing is being around in this environment. That’s why guys want to be on your campus and be around you. They know the stats. They’ve seen the games. They’ve watched the film. Does this environment fit? You want to make a good first impression when the guys come in here.

Harsin and his staff continue to install a brand new offense and defense this spring. Boise State fans will get their first look at the progress on April 12. It will be interesting to see how familiar it all looks to die hard fans who have been clamoring for more of what Boise State is about.

With Harsin's motto of "embrace the past, attack the future" you have to think there will be enough of a shadow to satisfy the traditional fan, but enough creativity to bring excitement and newness to it all as well.

There is no spring practice this week for Boise State football because of spring break. Coaches and players alike have taken some time off, but will return next week to continue what has seemed to be a productive spring camp thus far. 

Injuries have been kept to a minimum early on, and the attitude and energy of the players and coaches appears to be much better than in recent years.

With no action on the field this week, it might be the right time to review what has transpired the first two weeks of spring camp for the Broncos, and what it might mean for the team this fall.

Players Making an Impact

There are several players making an impact so far. One of those such players is JUCO transfer running back Derrick Thomas.

Thomas has been named a player of the day twice, and coaches seem to be excited with how he looks running and catching the ball.

Running backs coach Kent Riddle is quoted on BroncoSports.com as saying, "Derrick has put together two really nice practices in a row. He showed some nice explosiveness and power on Sunday night, and caught the ball well out of the backfield for a couple of scores."

Other players catching the eye of coaches are safety Darian Thompson, quarterback Grant Hedrick, wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck, cornerback Mercy Maston and running back Jay Ajayi.

Linebacker Corey Bell is having what appears to be an outstanding spring as well. He has been named one of the players of the day at least four times according to BroncoSports.com, and is causing all sorts of havoc.

Defensive coordinator Marcel Yates had good things to say about Bell, "Corey is just always around the ball. When there is a big play on defense, number 38 seems to be in the middle of things or the one causing the havoc."

A surprising name also appeared on the BroncoSports.com list of spring practice players of the day. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Finley was announced as the "Playmaker" on March 17. 

Finley, as mentioned by Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman, is coming off of shoulder surgery. Cripe quotes head coach Bryan Harsin in the article when it comes to the reps Finley has received this spring, "what he’s getting right now is a lot more than I thought he’d be getting."

If Finley is healthy this fall it could help the Broncos with a position that is far too thin for comfort. Boise State currently has four quarterbacks on the roster with a fifth to be added when new recruit Alex Ogle gets to town this fall. However, only redshirt senior Grant Hedrick has any game experience with the Broncos.

A New Time

As mentioned in the introduction, Coach Harsin has brought new energy and attitude to Boise State football. With that he has also brought a new level of openness to the program.

While the media still has some limited access during spring practice, the communication and willingness to share more of an inside look at the program have been apparent.

Not only are Coach Harsin and his staff actively engaging the fans and students on social media, but the program is releasing videos that give everyone a much better look within the team itself.

Going Forward

With spring ball going well for the Broncos, it will be interesting to see if the momentum is sustained after spring break.

Boise State will hold its official spring game on April 12, and Harsin is hoping for a record crowd. Harsin said his goal is 20,000 fans for that game, via Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman. However, understanding the scope of that, he is also quoted as saying, "We’re hoping we can get that. That’s a challenge there."

If 20,000 people do show up it would be a tremendous accomplishment. No matter what size the crowd, they will no doubt be greeted by the same kind of enthusiasm and energy Harsin and his staff have produced so far.

Demarcus Lawrence came to Boise State in 2012 as a JUCO transfer. He played his freshman season at Butler Community College, where he earned first-team JC Gridwire and second-team NJCAA All-America honors, according to BroncoSports.com.

As a redshirt sophomore, Lawrence made his presence known quickly on The Blue. He started 11 games at defensive end and earned first-team All-Mountain West honors. He was also named Boise State's Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman.

Lawrence continued his success as a junior in 2013 and was named a Walter Camp All-American for his efforts. He was also named to the first-team All-Mountain West team for the second season in a row.

Demarcus Lawrence may have only played two seasons as a Bronco, but his impact was huge, and he is going to be difficult to replace.

When Lawrence announced that he was going to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft, it probably didn't come as a shock to most Boise State fans. Lawrence is a dominating player who should be no later than a mid-round draft pick. NFLDraftScout.com lists Lawrence as a third- to sixth-round pick.

A look at the numbers, and it's easy to see why Demarcus Lawrence made the decision to leave school after his junior season to pursue an NFL career.

It wasn't all smooth sailing for Lawrence as a Bronco. He was suspended on a couple of occasions by head coach Chris Petersen. Lawrence missed the 2012 Las Vegas Bowl as a result of one of those suspensions 

Those troubles, however, now seem far behind the 6'3", 245-pound defensive end, and he seems eager to take on the next challenge. As reported by Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman, Lawrence said all the right things when announcing his decision.

For these last two years I have had the honor of being part of the Boise State family and have had an incredibly special group of teammates, coaches, trainers, and staff around me. While Coach Peterson’s decision to take the Washington job had some influence on my decision I felt it was in the best interests of my family and myself to pursue my lifelong dream to become an NFL player. It is my hope in making this decision that my coaches, administration, teammates and the Broncos fans continue to support me both through prayer and encouragement in the pursuit of my dreams.

Fans, coaches, players and certainly his family will support Lawrence, but the Broncos are going to miss him in 2014, and it is going to take a special player to fill his shoes. 

Looking at the current roster there are three candidates who seem to have the potential to fill some of the void Lawrence left behind. Of course, all of that could change by the time fall camp rolls around. But, for now let's consider three.

The two players who found themselves behind Demarcus last season at times were Beau Martin and Sam McCaskill. Both of these players have potential, and of the two of them Martin had the most impressive season in 2013.

However, the player that just might make huge waves in his first season on The Blue is Rondell McNair.

McNair is a 6'4", 250-pound monster. He swallows up ball-carriers, and his quickness to the quarterback is every bit what Lawrence brought to the table. He is big, fast, athletic and plays with the kind of fire that fans are going to love.

Demarcus Lawrence will be missed, this is true. But, Rondell McNair may cause the pain to subside quickly.

He is truly a diamond in the rough, and if he plays to his potential, Boise State may have another All-American on its hands. That is a tremendous amount of pressure to put on someone, but it seems like McNair thrives in that kind of environment.