Auburn transfer fills a huge need on Boise State football’s O-line

The Boise State football team found a big body to fill a big need Wednesday.

Offensive lineman Will Adams of Auburn was one of four players to sign with the Broncos on the first day of the signing period for mid-year enrollees.

Adams (6-foot-7, 303 pounds) graduated from Auburn on Saturday, so he’s eligible to play in 2016. He only has one season of eligibility left, though.

He has appeared in 38 games without a start for Auburn. He’ll play for the Tigers one more time in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 30 against Memphis before becoming a Bronco.

“I was always kind of the sixth lineman, backing up two of the best players in the SEC,” Adams said Wednesday night, “and I just had a great desire to play. I didn’t think I’d really get the chance (at Auburn).”

Adams has worked as a backup at all five offensive line positions. He played in several games this year as a blocking tight end and also participates on special teams.

Boise State recruited him as a tackle.

“With my frame, tackle is my true position and where I’m most comfortable,” he said, “and that’s what I am going to play at Boise.”

The Auburn coaches were supportive of Adams’ decision, he said. Former Boise State defensive end Beau Martin, who was on the team last year, works in the strength and conditioning department at Auburn. He suggested Adams take a look at the Broncos, who had inquired about him, Adams said. Auburn’s director of strength and conditioning, Ryan Russell, worked at Boise State from 2007-09.

“I’m pretty close with our strength staff,” Adams said. “I figure if it’s a place that they loved — absolutely loved — it was worth giving a look and contacting them.”

Adams took a few recruiting visits — he declined to name the other schools — and was in Boise last Thursday and Friday.

“It’s beautiful out there,” he said. “... The coaches and players, they’re all very genuine people.”

The Broncos are expected to return four of their Poinsettia Bowl starters on the offensive line, all except center Marcus Henry. They also lose standout left tackle Rees Odhiambo, who broke an ankle in October.

The returning tackles aren’t entrenched, though. Right tackle Mario Yakoo moved out from guard during the season and left tackle Archie Lewis is only starting because of Odhiambo’s injury.

And after those two, the Broncos are young and raw because of the unexpected departures of promising tackles Eli McCullough (medical) and Troy Bacon (left program) this year.

“I’m looking to come in and help somebody out and do what I can for a program, because that’s what it’s about,” Adams said. “... They have a need with Rees and Marcus leaving. It leaves two big holes because they’re excellent players.”

The other signees:

▪ Cedrick Wilson Jr. is one of the most productive junior college wide receivers in the nation. He has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Wilson (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) was named a second-team All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association, which covers most of the country but not California. He contributed 66 catches for 1,045 yards and 17 touchdowns this season at Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College. He ranked fourth in the nation in touchdown catches and third in receiving yards per game (116.1).

▪ Offensive lineman Kole Bailey (6-5, 285), of Twin Falls High, was named first-team All-Idaho at the 4A level after helping the Bruins average 6.7 yards per carry.

▪ And linebacker Tyson Maeva (6-0, 230) of San Diego played middle linebacker and fullback in high school. He was named to the All-San Diego Section first team as a linebacker this year.

Correa’s NFL decision on hold

Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said Wednesday night in San Diego that junior defensive end Kamalei Correa’s performance in the Poinsettia Bowl could influence the decision on whether he leaves early for the NFL.

“No matter what happens, (Correa’s) focus, our focus, is the game,” Harsin said. “Because, really, that’s where it needs to be. That’s already out there, that he might be making a decision — it’s all going to show up in the game. We’ve had these discussions before, guys want to send things in, papers in (to the NFL advisory group), get their information back. We had guys do that last year that stayed. It’s not a for-sure thing at this point, but playing well in the bowl game, that is. Once it’s over, we’ll sit down and figure what his future is, and if that’s the best move for him. If it’s the best thing and he’s going to get a good opportunity, then fine. But you’ve got to play well first.”

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 10:10 PM with the headline "Auburn transfer fills a huge need on Boise State football’s O-line."