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Boise State Spring Practice Needs a Focus on Defense

By Tanner Sperry

Sep 25, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Taquan Mizzell (4) carries the ball as Boise State Broncos linebacker Tanner Vallejo (20) and Broncos linebacker Tyler Gray (36) make the tackle in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2015; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers running back Taquan Mizzell (4) carries the ball as Boise State Broncos linebacker Tanner Vallejo (20) and Broncos linebacker Tyler Gray (36) make the tackle in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boise State Broncos need to replace some key defenders and that should be the focus during spring practice.

Every position on the Boise State football team could use some work before the season starts, but the offense can hold its own well enough during the spring with most of its starters back. It should be a strong point for the Boise State Broncos, although the quarterback competition is going to be a point of interest with regard to just how well the offense can sail.

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On the other side of the ball, five starters return with linebackers Tanner Vallejo and Ben Weaver, cornerback Jonathan Moxey, safety Kameron Miles and nickelback Chanceller James. The defensive line needs to be retooled and a few secondary spots will have to be filled as well, but this defensive unit’s foundation looks quite good.

It’ll need to be great if Boise State is going to come close to running the table. Former defensive coordinator Marcel Yates is at Arizona, so now it’s up to Andy Avalos to run the show.

At safety, Dylan Sumner-Gardner has been a big contributor in recent years and should be the favorite to shore up the open spot next to Kameron Miles.

Even though the defensive line lost a lot of production, there’s, at least, a small core of players to work with that have seen time on the field. Seniors Sam McCaskill and Elliot Hoyte have experience and a couple of career sacks behind a talented first team. Sophomore to be Jabril Frazier had 17 total tackles and 2.5 sacks as a freshman.

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With the right attention and work, this unit can meet the expectations left by last year’s front. Boise State allowed 3.18 yards per play in 2015, good for 12th nationally. The Broncos will try to field another stout defense and improve on the team’s 9-4 overall record last year.

The Boise State spring game is April 9 when the next wave of Broncos players make their case for starting jobs and big roles in 2016.

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