The Broncos were not taking any chances on losing the type of quarterback that could step into senior Kellen Moore's football cleats. That's why when high school QB Nick Patti, 5' 11' 195 lb, make an unofficial visit to the Boise campus on April 19th, the Bronco coaching staff had a scholarship offer waiting for him and his dad. The Orlando, Florida football player was already listed as a three star Pro-style quarterback at the end of his junior year by Rivals.com with a year of High School to go. In 2010, Patti accounted for more than 2700 yards with 32 TDs to lead Dr. Phillips Panthers to the A6 state title game.
So just how strong is this Dr. Phillips High School player's verbal committment to the Broncos? On March 26th he was offered a scholarship by C-USA and Big East hopeful University of Central Florida, a hometown school which is only a few miles from where he and his family lives. He also considered offers from Big 10 Indiana, South Florida while UCLA, Tennessee and Kentucky were starting to show interest.
"I loved it then and since I left there I have never had a doubt," Patti told Chris Hays of the Orlando Sentinel about Boise State and his committment to the Broncos. "A lot of people say it's like a weight lifted off your shoulders, and I know that's figurative, but it really is ... Actually more like a weight taken off your heart."
Head coach Chris Petersen and the rest of the Broncos staff told Patti he was their No. 1 choice for a quarterback, but told Patti and his father Ed that they would also be leaving the door open for another QB to cover their bases as Patti is only the second commit for the 2012 class.
Patti would make the third player recruited out of Florida, which along with Texas is becoming more and more a fertile recuiting ground for the Bronco staff.