INCOMING FRESHMEN (23)
CHASE BAKER, DT, 6-1, 285, Fr., Rocklin HS, Rocklin, Calif.: A three-sport letterman, lettering in football three times, rugby twice and track and field once. Named first-team all-league and second-team all-metro. Finished with 58 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Named a scholar athlete. Plans to major in civil engineering. Originally signed in 2007 and has joined the Boise State program.
MITCH BURROUGHS, WR, 5-10, 185, Fr., Meridian HS, Meridian: A letterman in football four times, baseball three times and track once. As a senior, named second-team all-league after rushing for 450 yards while finishing with 520 yards receiving with 10 total TDs. As a junior, named the Southern Idaho Conference Player of the Year, first-team All-SIC and second-team All-Idaho as a receiver/running back after rushing for 650 yards and finishing with 994 yards receiving on 56 receptions with 23 total TDs. Originally signed in 2007 and has joined the team.
VAN DRUMGOOLE, WR, 5-11, 160, Fr., Vallivue HS, Caldwell: A two-year letterman at Vallivue. As a senior, named to the 5A All-Idaho first team as a wide receiver. Earned first-team All-Southern Idaho Conference honors as a wide receiver and defensive back. Finished the season with 32 catches for 538 yards and eight TDs, as well as 69 carries for 734 yards and 11 TDs. On defense, had 30 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles. As a junior earned second-team All-Idaho and all-conference honors after rushing for 753 yards on 71 carries with 11 TDs, while also catching 31 passes for 417 yards and four TDs. Served as team captain as a junior and senior. Lettered in track and field twice and basketball once. Won the high school state 100 meters in a time of 10.83 seconds in 2007.
BRONSON DURRANT, OL, 6-3, 290, Fr., Marist HS, Eugene, Ore.: A three-year letterman. Helped team to 4A state championships as a senior and sophomore. Named second-team All-Sky-Em League as a senior, despite suffering a season ending injury during the seventh game of the season. Started on the offensive line as a junior, but missed half of the season with a wrist injury. Started a majority of the year as a sophomore, including the state championship game.
SPENCER GERKE, OG, 6-3, 240, Fr., Bishop Kelly HS, Boise: A three-year letterman. Named first-team All-Idaho as an offensive and defensive lineman as a senior, while earning first-team All-Southern Idaho Conference honors as an offensive lineman and second-team All-SIC honors as a defensive lineman. Finished season with 69 tackles, seven pass breakups, two sacks and one interception. Team captain as a senior.
GREG GRIMES, DL, 6-0, 270, Fr., Inderkum HS, Sacramento, Calif.: Selected the Tri-County Player of the Year in 2007. Received first-team CIF all-section honors last year. A second-team all-state selection following his senior and junior seasons. Also a three-time first-team all-conference selection. A two-time Sacramento Bee all-metro selection. Named the Sacramento Observer Athlete of the Year in 2007. He made 94 tackles and had five sacks as a senior.
BYRON HOUT, LB, 6-1, 225, Fr., Lake City HS, Coeur d' Alene: A three-year letterman. Named the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. Honored as the 2006 5A All-Idaho Player of the Year by the Idaho Statesman. Named to All-Idaho first team in 2007. Ranked as the 33rd best player on the Northwest 100. As a senior, totaled 80 tackles, three sacks, 20 tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, 10 hurries and a TD as a linebacker. As a junior, named first-team All-Idaho and all-conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman. Finished with 80 tackles, 12 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and two TDs. Served as team captain as a senior.
GEORGE ILOKA, S, 6-3, 200, Fr., Kempner HS, Sugar Land, Texas: A three-year letterman. Named team captain as a senior. Named first-team all-league as a senior. A member of the Houston Top 100 Team. Finished senior season with 80 tackles, 60 solo and 20 assisted, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. As a junior, caught 30 passes for 500 yards and four TDs. Graduated from Kempner in January and enrolled at BSU.
TYLER JACKSON, S, 6-0, 185, Fr., Douglas County HS, Castle Rock, Colo.: A three-year letterman. Won the Denver Post Gold Helmet award, presented annually to Colorado's top senior player, scholar and citizen. As a senior, named to the All-Colorado first team, which encompasses all the high school divisions in the state. Also earned first-team All-Continental League after totaling 70 tackles, nine interceptions and 10 pass breakups, while blocking 10 kicks. As a junior, named honorable mention all-state and first-team All-Continental League after finishing with 60 tackles and six interceptions. As a sophomore, named second-team all-league. Named to the Dean's List three times.
MATT KAISERMAN, RB, 5-11, 190, Fr., Skyview HS, Nampa: A letterman in football and track and field three times and basketball once. Named the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year in 2006. Named the 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year after rushing for 1,782 yards (9.8 yards per carry) and 26 rushing TDs, while catching 26 passes for 585 yards and four receiving TDs. Earned first-team all-conference honors as a junior and senior. As a junior, rushed for 1,033 yards and 11 TDs on 130 carries, while catching 13 passes for 172 yards and one TD. Originally signed in 2007 and has joined the team.
JOE KELLOGG, OG, 6-4, 290, Fr., Saguaro HS, Scottsdale, Ariz.: A two-year letterman. Named first-team all-state and first-team All-4A-1 Desert Sky Region as a senior. Started at left guard as a senior and helped team to the Division 4A-1 state championship with a 14-0 record. Also started at left guard as a junior and helped team to the 2006 Division 4A-1 state title with a 13-1 record. Honored with the City of Scottsdale's "City Athlete Award." A member of the National Honor Society.
CHANDLER KOCH, TE, 6-3, 220, Fr., Flower Mound HS, Flower Mound, Texas: No. 3 ranked tight end in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and ranked No. 35 in the nation by ESPN.com. Caught 24 passes for 356 yards and one TD his senior season. Also rushed 12 times for 33 yards and three touchdowns. Earned first team all-conference honors his senior and junior seasons. Made 13 catches for 224 yards and two touchdowns as a junior. A member of the National Honor Society and will graduate in the top 10 percent of his senior class.
DARREN KOONTZ, DT, 6-3, 255, Fr., Los Alamitos HS, Los Alamitos, Calif.: A two-year letterman. Named honorable-mention All-Sunset League as a junior and a senior. Named Los Alamitos' Defensive Player of the Year after making 19 tackles (10 solo, nine assists) in eight games, with two tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
RAPHIEL LAMBERT, CB, 5-9, 185, Fr., Jesuit HS, Portland: Named to the Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, honoring the top 100 players in the West. Carried the ball 199 times for 1,741 yards and 23 touchdowns. Also caught 18 passes for 217 yards and one TD his senior season. Named the 6A Metro League Offensive Player of the Year in 2007. As a junior, averaged 10.7 yards per carry, gaining 865 yards on 81 carries and rushing for 15 touchdowns. Made 28 catches for 411 yards and four touchdowns. Helped Jesuit to two state titles. Also helped track and field team to a state title as a sprinter.
SHEA MCCLELLIN, DL, 6-4, 250, Fr., Marsing HS, Caldwell: A letterman in football, basketball and baseball. Named first-team All-Idaho as a running back and a linebacker. Named the Western Idaho Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Rushed for 1,893 yards and 22 TDs, while finishing with 126 tackles, six interceptions and seven defensive TDs. As a junior, named second-team all-conference after rushing for 998 yards and 17 TDs, and leading the Huskies in TDs. Also averaged 16.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game in basketball and hit .453 with 21 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in baseball as a junior. Originally signed in 2007 and has joined the team.
BRENEL MYERS, OG, 6-3, 260, Fr., Westfield HS, Houston: A two-year letterman. Named first-team All-District 16-5A as a senior after starting 13 games. Graded out at 92 percent for the season with 135 knockdown blocks.
DAN PAUL, LB, 6-0, 230, Fr., Sam Barlow HS, Boring, Ore.: A two-sport letterman, lettering in football three times and track and field twice. Named first-team all-conference as a linebacker and second-team all-conference as an offensive lineman as a junior and senior. Named honorable mention all-state as a linebacker and an offensive lineman as both a junior and senior. Claimed first place in the Oregon Weight Lifting Championships. Named a Scholar Athlete Award finalist, captain of the team and defensive MVP. Originally signed in 2007 and has joined the team.
CHRIS POTTER, WR, 5-11, 170, Fr., Oaks Christian HS, Westlake Village, Calif.: A four-year letterman. Named all-state three seasons, as well as earning first-team All-Tri Valley honors three times. Earned first-team All-CIF honors and was named Offensive Player of the Year. Named the L.A. Daily News Offensive Player of the Year. Earned co-MVP honors in the Tri Valley League. Played quarterback as a senior, accounting for 40 total TDs (21 passing and 19 rushing) while completing 70 percent of his passes. Played wide receiver for three years. As a junior, caught 48 passes. Team captain as a senior. Also lettered in baseball twice. Won the Scholar-Athlete Award.
TOMMY SMITH, LB, 6-1, 205, Fr., North Atlanta HS, Atlanta: A four-year letterman. Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-City Team. Earned second-team all-conference honors as a senior, after finishing with 87 tackles, 12 sacks, eight tackles for loss and two interceptions. As a junior, had 76 tackles and eight sacks. Finished with 36 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore, while totaling 34 tackles and four sacks as a freshman. Served as a team captain as a junior and senior. Also lettered in basketball three times and track and field twice. Ran the 100 meters in 11.2 seconds. A member of the honor roll.
TOM SWANSON, OT, 6-6, 300, Fr., Skyline HS, Sammamish, Wash.: Earned first-team all-state and All-Kingco Conference honors his senior season after receiving honorable-mention honors at the state and league level his junior year. Helped Skyline to state championship in 2007. A three-year letterman in football, while also earning two varsity letters as a member of the track and field team.
JAMAR TAYLOR, CB, 6-0, 185, Fr., Helix HS, Spring Valley, Calif.: Named to the All-CIF first team in 2007, and the second team following his junior season. Also received first-team All-East County League honors both years. Career totals include 155 tackles, 19 pass breakups, nine interceptions, four fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles. As a senior had 50 tackles, four interceptions, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Named the East County League Defensive MVP after his senior season. Also was named to the San Diego All-Academic team in 2007.
DOMINIQUE VINSON, WR, 6-0, 165, Fr., Edison HS, Huntington Beach, Calif.: A two-sport letterman. Named first-team all-state, first-team All-CIF, first-team all-county and Sunset League Co-MVP. Finished senior season with 78 receptions for 1,129 yards, plus 65 tackles and seven interceptions. Also lettered in track and field. Graduated from Edison in May and joined BSU team in January.
FARAJI WRIGHT, OT, 6-3, 275, Fr., Berkeley HS, Vallejo, Calif.: A three-year letterman. Earned first-team all-conference honors as a senior. Served as team captain as a senior. Named to first-team West County Times Football Team, while also being named to the San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro Second Team. Offensive Lineman MVP at the Cal camp in 2006 and 2007.
JUNIOR COLLEGE TRANSFER (1)
DARON MACKEY, LB, 6-0, 230, Jr., West HS/Bakersfield College, Bakersfield, Calif.: A two-time all-conference player at Bakersfield, where he also was named third-team All-America. Finished sophomore season with 78 tackles, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a TD. As a freshman, had 113 tackles, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a TD. Named all-conference as a junior and senior at West, while earning third-team all-state honors as a senior. During senior season, had 143 tackles, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. As a junior, made 128 tackles with an interception and two forced fumbles.
