Boise State football 2017: Projected Broncos depth chart
By Brad Weiss
Defense
Notable Losses: As is the case with the Boise State offense, the defense suffered some losses as well after last season. Defensive lineman Sam McCaskill was a 1st Team selection, and linebacker Ben Weaver was 2nd Team. The biggest loss may come in the secondary, where both Jonathan Moxey and Chanceller James are both gone. The middle of the defense will also feel the loss of linebacker Tanner Vallejo.
DE: Durrant Miles, junior
DT: David Moa, junior (RS)
NT: Sonatane Lui, sophomore
David Moa may be the best defensive player in the conference, and is coming off a 1st Team All-Mountain West season as a sophomore last season. Moa led the Broncos with eight sacks last season, and racked up 10.5 tackles for loss. Durrant Miles is a solid play, and if Lui can play up to his ability, this front could be one of the better units in the conference.
STUD: Jabrill Frazier, junior (RS)
WLB: Leighton Vander Esch, junior (RS)
MLB: Tyson Maeva, sophomore
SLB: Desmond Williams, freshman (RS)
The linebacking unit lost a ton of talent last season, including Ben Weaver and Tanner Vallejo. In addition, potential starting middle linebacker Joe Martarano left the team to focus on baseball, leaving this group pretty bare. However, Leighton Vander Esch is coming off an injury, and is a solid player, while Jabril Frazier racked up four sacks last season. Expect to see some of sophomore Sam Whitney at the STUD position as well this season.
CB: Tyler Horton, junior
SS: DeAndre Pierce, sophomore
FS: Kekoa Nawahine, sophomore
CB: Michael Young, junior (RS, transfer)
Replacing Jonathan Moxey and Chanceller James is going to be tough this season, but the Broncos do have arguably the best cornerback in the conference coming back. Tyler Horton had only one interception last season, but he did run it back for a touchdown, and many expect him to be a shutdown corner in 2017. The rest of the secondary is a bit of a question, with both safeties being sophomores, but they should be ready to go come opening day.
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Special Teams
K: Joel Velazquez, freshman (RS)
P: Joel Velazquez, freshman (RS)
KR: Cedrick Wilson, senior (transfer)
PR: Cedrick Wilson, senior (transfer)
Joel Velazquez will have to replace both kicker Tyler Rausa and 2nd Team All-Mountain West punter Sean Wale this season, as he takes on both duties. Star senior Cedrick Wilson is going to handle both kick, and punt return duties, giving the team a solid threat in the return game. Wilson did a phenomenal job in both roles last season, and is certain to break at least one for a touchdown in 2017.