For many of the Boise State football team’s seniors, the ceremony to honor them before Saturday’s game against Colorado State will be their first turn in the spotlight.

This is a class defined more by grunt work than touchdowns, by overcoming adversity, by admirably filling the void left by last year’s star-studded senior class.

Seven of these guys started their careers as walk-ons. Significant injuries stalled about half of them. And a handful get the bulk of their playing time on special teams — including the long snapper, the field-goal kicker and four players who made their mark covering kicks.

There are a few stars — cornerback Jamar Taylor, defensive tackle Mike Atkinson, tailback D.J. Harper and linebacker J.C. Percy — but even they were overshadowed for most of their careers.

“That’s one of the best things about this group,” wide receiver and punt returner Chris Potter said. “We’ve had so many guys — it’s safe to say, under the radar — but they’re such key role players. Not a lot of people may notice Hazen Moss and his importance in running down on kickoff. He may not be the guy who makes the play, but he’s always doing his job so other people can make it. Those things are critical, and we’ve got a ton of guys in this group like that. And they’re passing that knowledge to other guys.”

The class filled 12 of the 22 starting spots on offense and defense this season before a few dropped out with injuries. Eight of them had not been regular starters before this season.

The seniors have performed so well that nearly every player in the class can say that this was his career year. Six seniors start on the defense that ranks eighth in the nation in points allowed and fifth in passing yards allowed.

“There are a lot of them who have really taken a nice step,” coach Chris Petersen said. “When you look at that list (of seniors) … all these guys are in pretty significant roles compared to where they were in the past.

“… All of them are significant contributors in some way, some fashion — whether it’s special teams or offense or defense. But even in the locker room, just their stability and being good guys. They’re all like that.”

Chadd Cripe: 377-6398, Twitter: @IDS_BroncoBeat

OL Michael Ames • 54

Hometown: Boise (Centennial High)

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 27 (8 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He won the job at right guard in fall camp and has started a career-high six games.

DT Mike Atkinson • 99

Hometown: Windsor, Ontario

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 35 (15 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He scored the game-winning TD against BYU on an interception return and forced two fumbles in the three-point win at New Mexico but is out with a torn ACL.

CB Josh Borgman • 19

Hometown: Boise (Centennial High)

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 48

Stepping up in ’12: He has recovered two fumbles on special teams this season.

WR Mitch Burroughs • 20

Hometown: Meridian (Meridian High)

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 39 (13 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He has missed the past five games with a wrist injury but has used his experience to coach the younger receivers.

K Michael Frisina • 84

Hometown: Brea, Calif.

With Boise State: 2011-12

Games played: 15

Stepping up in ’12: He is 10-for-10 on field goals of 30 yards or less and 32-of-33 on PATs.

CB Jerrell Gavins • 4

Hometown: Miami

With Boise State: 2009-12

Games played: 38 (14 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He has two interceptions and a touchdown as a key cog in the nation’s fifth-ranked pass defense.

DT Greg Grimes • 91

Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 27

Stepping up in ’12: He has a career-high 21 tackles in his first season as a full-time member of the tackle rotation.

RB D.J. Harper • 7

Hometown: Cypress, Texas

With Boise State: 2007-12

Games played: 51 (12 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He has gained a career-high 948 yards from scrimmage and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns in his first season as the primary back.

WR Tyler Jackson • 15

Hometown: Castle Rock, Colo.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 22

Stepping up in ’12: He has played in a career-high 10 games as a special-teamer.

OG Joe Kellogg • 61

Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 41 (30 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He has fought through a battered body to start eight games and provide leadership on the line.

TE Chandler Koch • 88

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 42 (8 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He has earned three-quarters of his starts as a senior, helping to fill the void caused by Gabe Linehan’s injury.

DL Darren Koontz • 95

Hometown: Seal Beach, Calif.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 32 (2 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He moved into the line rotation full time and has posted career highs for tackles (23), tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (2.5).

S Hazen Moss • 24

Hometown: Rifle, Colo.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 41

Stepping up in ’12: He helped create a dominant kickoff team. That unit has struggled since he was injured.

OL Brenel Myers • 64

Hometown: Houston

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 37 (13 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: One of the heroes of the 2010 Fiesta Bowl, Myers finally became a lineup fixture as a senior at right tackle.

FB Dan Paul • 47

Hometown: Boring, Ore.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 46 (8 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He returned from an injury that forced him to redshirt in 2011 and caught a key touchdown pass against San Diego State.

LB J.C. Percy • 48

Hometown: Blackfoot (Blackfoot High)

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 50 (16 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He leads the team with a career-high 82 tackles after finishing second in 2009 and 2010.

WR Chris Potter • 3

Hometown: Westlake Village, Calif.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 45 (3 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He’s tied for the team lead with a career-high three TD catches and has averaged 11.9 yards per punt return.

LS Chris Roberson • 44

Hometown: Katy, Texas

With Boise State: 2009-12

Games played: 47

Stepping up in ’12: The four-year starter has helped prepare transfer Kevin Keane, who started in his place for three games.

N Dextrell Simmons • 6

Hometown: Houston

With Boise State: 2011-12

Games played: 21 (7 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: He won the nickel job with a physical, high-energy style and made 34 tackles in eight games before sustaining an injury.

LB Tommy Smith • 33

Hometown: Atlanta

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 46 (11 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: The first-year starter ranks third on the team with 44 tackles. He made back-to-back plays to end New Mexico’s last drive earlier this season.

CB Jamar Taylor • 5

Hometown: San Diego

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 45 (32 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: The three-year starter has emerged as one of the Mountain West’s best players with 40 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups.

RB Drew Wright • 39

Hometown: Nampa (Vallivue High)

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 32

Stepping up in ’12: He has helped mentor the Broncos’ young crew of tailbacks.

OL Faraji Wright • 75

Hometown: Vallejo, Calif.

With Boise State: 2008-12

Games played: 33 (3 starts)

Stepping up in ’12: Wright played tight end briefly last week, then replaced injured left tackle Charles Leno Jr. for a while.