MW Recruiting Roundup 7-31

After a week or two of recruiting news being fairly minimal, the past seven days have really made up for lost time. Kicking things off are two interviews following commitments. First is new Nevada verbal CB Jaden Dedman.

MWConnection: What about Nevada stood out compared to other schools?

Jaden: To be honest it was them showing me the most interest. The coaches were always talking to me not only about football but about life. They spoke about the future and about academics. Really them just communicating with me all the time.

MWConnection: What did coaches say about how they envision you contributing once you're on the field?

Jaden: Once I get there basically I have to compete. I’ll have the opportunity to come in to play as a true freshman at CB but I will still have to compete.

Second is an interview provided by Scale Igiehon’s high school coach Charles Burton (as MWConnection could not get a hold of Scale). Coach Burton had no problem taking time out of his schedule to speak about one of his most talented players.

MWConnection: What kind of player has Scale been for you? (citing strengths and weaknesses)

Coach Burton: Scale is a player that opposing teams must plan around if they want to have success. He is a disrupter on defense and blocker who paves the way for running backs on offense. He is extremely intelligent on and off the field so he is able to play a variety of positions. He strength is that he is big and that could also be his weakness. He plays both ways for us and when you do that at 325 pounds you can get a little tired at times.

MWConnection: If you know, why did he chose Boise State?

Coach Burton: Coaches did a great job recruiting Scale. He visited the campus and enjoyed the atmosphere surrounding the campus and program.

MWConnection: What kind of person is Scale? (as a teammate, off the field)

Coach Burton: He’s a great young man. Hasn’t had any issues of the field and has a smile and personality that draws others to him.

Spotlight: Boise State

Year after year Boise State compiles the best recruiting class in the Mountain West and this year they are laying the foundation to do it again. The Broncos had a tremendous week recruiting wise, so MWConnection will take a closer look in to what their class looks like at this point of the year.

Currently, Boise State has 9 verbal commitments, with 4 being announced this week alone. Igiehon, the NT who was highlighted above, committed a few weeks ago but did not announce it until Monday. On Wednesday, DE Kukea Emmsley sent Twitter into a frenzy when he chose the Broncos over a few PAC 12 offers such as Oregon. Not 24 hours later, another announcement came through as MWConnection was able to confirm ID native Keegan Freeborn chose to verbally commit to Boise State as a defensive tackle. The fourth commit of the week has remained silent at this point but is a running back recruit.

This is the second hot week Boise State has put together this summer, with very little action (commitment-wise anyway) in between. Back in June, they secured another four commitments in about three days. Their first commit, Phillip Mills, made his decision back in May.

Thus far, the best word to describe their 2018 class would be versatile. Of their 9 commits, 5 can or will play multiple positions. Mills said he is going to Boise State to play either Safety or SAM linebacker. Brandon Hawkins said coaches could see him playing SAM or WILL LB. Kazmier Allen is an all-purpose back and the Broncos recruited him as a “weapon” player, who can impact the offense in a variety of ways. Likewise, Emmsley is coming in to play the STUD position, which is a naturally versatile spot being a combination of defensive end and linebacker who can rush or drop back into coverage. Freeborn has played offensive line in high school but is coming to Boise as a defensive tackle. Of the remaining four players on their commitment list, they are a QB, a LB, and 320+ pound NT, and now another RB. Safe to say, the Boise State coaching staff are putting a priority on versatile play-makers on both sides of the ball.

Recruiting Tidbits:

Offers:

• LB Jace Bobo was offered by Air Force
• OL Cade Beresford was offered by Boise State
• OL Cody Pound was offered by Fresno State
• DB/WR Isaiah Mays was offered by Hawaii
• DB Delano Ware was offered by Nevada
• OL Cole Watts was offered by Nevada
• WR Charles Ross was offered by Nevada
• OL/DL Jacob South was offered by Nevada

Visits:

• WR Chris Olave visited Boise State
• JUCO RB Greg Bell visited Boise State (he also announced his top 4, which includes BSU)
• OL Kekaniokoa Gonzales visited Boise State
• ATH Rodney Wright visited Air Force
• QB Jeremy Maussa visited Hawaii
• DE Tava Finau visited Fresno State
• DB Quinn Brinnon visited SJSU
• OL Jake Parks visited Air Force and Colorado State last weekend

Commits:

• DT Scale Igiehon announced his commitment to Boise State (he had committed in June, but stayed silent)
• DE Kekua Emmsley committed to Boise State
• OL Keegan Freeborn committed to Boise State
• OL/DL Zach Watts committed to Wyoming
• RB Carter Kuehl committed to Air Force
• OT Blake Carette committed to Air Force
• DB Lionel Anderson committed to Colorado State
• WR Jammal Houston committed to Colorado State
• TE Daniel Bellinger committed to San Diego State
• OL Jarrett Patterson will be announcing his commitment in August

Was anything missed? Anything you want to see more of? Let us know by leaving a comment below.