Recruiting expert: Boise State’s 2020 DB class would ‘make some Pac-12 schools happy’
Boise State football coach Bryan Harsin took a break from Las Vegas Bowl prep in December and sat down with cornerbacks coach Jalil Brown and recruiting coordinator Darren Uscher to debate signing a recruit, who the Broncos were on the fence about.
That recruit turned out to be cornerback Rodney Robinson, who committed to the Broncos on the morning of early signing day without having visited Boise State.
“That’s where the brand is very strong with a lot of these guys,” Harsin said. “They’ve been following the programs, and their family are obviously Boise State fans.”
Robinson was one of five defensive backs the Broncos signed on early signing day. They added junior college transfer cornerback Jonathan Earl on traditional signing day.
Boise State went into the 2020 recruiting cycle in search of immediate help on the offensive and defensive lines. The Broncos also knew they had to plan for the future on the back end of the defense.
The result of those efforts, according to 247Sports National Recruiting Editor Brandon Huffman, is an impressive defensive backs class.
“They’ve got some dudes back there,” Huffman said. “This secondary class would make some Pac-12 schools very happy.”
The Broncos’ 2020 class of defensive backs includes two cornerbacks who stand 6-foot-3, a safety who is rated higher coming out of high school than his cousin, who went on to play in the NFL, and two candidates to eventually replace senior nickel Kekaula Kaniho — one of whom is his brother.
Here’s a look at what Boise State has coming back in the secondary this season, its incoming defensive backs and when some of those freshmen may see the field.
Returning starters
CB Jalen Walker, R-Sr., 6-foot, 179 pounds
Walker ended last season in strong fashion, turning his first career interception into a touchdown at Utah State and following that with eight tackles at Colorado State. He helped the Broncos limit Hawaii to 10 points in the Mountain West title game and was named second-team all-conference.
After starting all 14 games last fall and finishing fifth on the team with 53 tackles, he’s going to be tough to unseat this season.
CB Avery Williams, R-Sr., 5-9, 198
Williams also started all 14 games last season, but kickoff returner John Hightower’s departure may mean an expanded role on special teams for Williams and a few less snaps on defense. He returned two punts for touchdowns last fall and was named Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year.
The former walk-on didn’t record an interception last season, and he struggled in coverage down the stretch, especially in the Las Vegas Bowl loss to Washington, so Williams may find himself in a battle this fall to retain his spot at cornerback.
S DeAndre Pierce, R-Sr., 5-11, 180
Injuries have cost Pierce the majority of the past two seasons. He’s the most experienced safety on the roster, though, so if he’s healthy, he’ll likely be in the starting lineup.
He was limited to five games last fall after suffering an injury in the season opener against Florida State, which kept him out the following four games. He started the next four before a collision with Boise State STUD Curtis Weaver in a win over Wyoming left Pierce on the shelf for the rest of the year with a knee injury. In 2018, he appeared in the first five games before a lacerated spleen kept him on the sideline.
N Kekaula Kaniho, Sr., 5-10, 182
Whether he was breaking up a pass or fending off a blocker with one hand while forcing a fumble with the other in the Broncos’ regular-season win over Hawaii, Kaniho found ways to make plays last season. In many ways, he was Boise State’s emotional barometer on defense, and that isn’t likely to change this fall.
Kaniho has appeared in 41 career games and made 27 starts since 2017. In the Broncos’ nickel role last season, he finished third on the team with 11 tackles for loss. If Boise State finds another suitable option at nickel this season, he also has the ability to move to safety, which he did last season against Air Force.
Next in line
CB Markel Reed, So., 6-0, 176
Reed appeared in 11 games last season and saw his snaps increase late in the year. He was a three-star recruit in the Broncos’ 2019 class, and he’s the most likely candidate to push Williams for his starting spot.
S Jordan Happle, R-Sr., 5-11, 208
Happle was limited to six games last season due to injuries. He was among the Broncos’ most active tacklers late in the year, but he was also a liability at times in coverage.
N Tyreque Jones, R-Jr., 6-2, 201
Jones has appeared in 26 games and made eight starts the past two seasons. He’s listed on the roster as a nickel but played cornerback and safety in 2019 and intercepted his first career pass in the Broncos’ win at Colorado State.
S JL Skinner, So., 6-4, 213
Skinner appeared in all 14 games and made one start last season. In certain situations late in the year, he lined up at outside linebacker. Whatever position he plays, his size and athleticism will make it tough to keep him off the field this fall.
2020 class
CB Jonathan Earl (JUCO), 6-3, 190, Golden West (California)
A transfer from Golden West College, he comes in with two years of eligibility and the size to play cornerback or safety. In 2018, he led Golden West with six receiving touchdowns.
CB Donovan Clark, 6-3, 190, Lincoln (Washington) High
The No. 12 overall prospect in Washington and a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He was hampered by a knee injury during his senior season at Lincoln High in Tacoma, Washington, but he’s healthy now and plans to join the track team this spring.
CB Kaonohi Kaniho, 5-10, 160, Kahuku (Hawaii) High
The brother of Kekaula Kaniho. The younger Kaniho’s senior season at Kahuku was cut short by injury, but his aggressive mentality is similar to his brother’s.
S Rodney Robinson, 5-10, 165, Cajon (California) High
The Broncos list Robinson as a safety, but he can also play cornerback or nickel, according to Huffman. Robinson racked up 300 career tackles and 10 interceptions at Cajon High.
S Semaj Verner, 6-2, 185, Mayfair (California) High
Another versatile recruit who can play safety or cornerback, Verner was awarded a fourth star by 247Sports in January. He is rated higher coming out of high school than his cousin Alterraun Verner, who played at UCLA and spent eight seasons in the NFL.
S Isaiah Bradford, 6-0, 170, Redlands East Valley (California) High
Bradford was the first verbal commit in the Broncos’ 2020 class. As a junior, he racked up 102 tackles, but an ACL tear cut his senior year short and he will sit out this season at Boise State as a grayshirt.
Who hits the field first?
The easy answer is Earl. Having played two seasons of junior college ball, he should come in more physically prepared than the rest of the defensive backs in the class, and his size alone makes him an option to match up against some of the bigger receivers in the conference.
The more complicated answer is Verner and Robinson.
Verner’s length, versatility and instincts have recruiting analysts and Boise State coaches raving about him. He may have a hard time seeing the field early as a cornerback, but safeties DeAndre Pierce and Jordan Happle have missed time with injuries in recent years. If one of them goes down this fall, Verner may become an option.
“First of all, you’re looking at a well-rounded player. Some guys are ball hawks, some guys are tacklers. He has the whole package,” Boise State defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding said. “I think he can cover. I think he can come up and stop the run, and he’s a smart player. He’s got some twitch, and he’s got some length.”
Robinson isn’t working with the same physical tools, but his mentality may get him on the field. He’s a big hitter, and he racked up 300 tackles and 10 interceptions in his high school career. He seems built to be a nickel at Boise State, but defensive backs coach Jalil Brown said he can also play cornerback or safety.
“What he lacks in height, he makes up for in his athleticism, his football IQ and his overall physicality,” Brown said. “You look at his tape and he instantly jumps out of everybody on the field. He’s flying around, making plays. He’s well built, a little muscular, so he has the ability to go up there and strike some of the offensive players, wrap them up and bring them down.”
This story was originally published February 12, 2020 at 4:00 AM.
