Boise State?s incoming football recruits have traded couches for beds ? and become less comfortable.
The Broncos addressed the situation that led to their NCAA violations by creating a bridge program for new players, who live in dorms and take two classes while working out with the team during the summer.
It?s a grueling introduction to college football ? and one coach Chris Petersen still doesn?t like, but has accepted as a defense against rules violations.
?Happier, yes,? he said of his take on the second year of the program. ?Do I think it?s the best way? No.?
The Broncos got in trouble with the NCAA because incoming recruits were sleeping on couches and floors at the residences of their new teammates during voluntary summer workouts. Those are impermissible benefits. The penalties, announced in September 2011, included three fewer preseason practices in 2011 and 2012, less contact in spring ball for three years and the loss of nine scholarships. The scholarship total was ruled excessive by the NCAA appeals committee but hasn?t been reduced yet.
Petersen implemented the bridge program last year to avoid such problems. The players arrive together in June and can live in the dorms and be on scholarship because of their classes.
The days are long, with two classes every weekday, conditioning workouts and player-run practices. There?s study hall, too.
?It was a wake-up call, definitely,? said redshirt freshman defensive end Sam Ukwuachu, who participated in the program last year. ?We didn?t get done until late in the evening. It?d be a grind.?
Petersen tweaked the program this year. One change: The players were in class Monday-Friday instead of Monday-Thursday, which made shorter class periods.
Boise State and its recruits also were more prepared than last year, Petersen said.
?These guys handled it better,? he said.
The team leaders noticed that, too.
?This class is more focused,? senior cornerback Jamar Taylor said. ?They want to play. And they know if they come in and handle their business they?ll be OK.?
CAMP IMPRESSIONS
? Defensive tackle Mike Atkinson and wide receiver Mitch Burroughs, both seniors, showed up frequently in the Sunday morning veteran practice. Atkinson was in on two sacks, forcing a fumble, and Burroughs made one nifty catch along the sideline on a well-defended pass and broke free down the field for another grab.
? True freshman wide receiver Shane Williams-Rhodes (5-foot-7, 160 pounds) generated a buzz among the veterans watching the afternoon newcomers practice with two big plays, including one on which he juked a defender after a short catch and took off down the sideline. On National Signing Day, coach Chris Petersen said: ?The smallest guy on our roster might be the guy that excites everybody the most. I don?t like to put pressure on any guys, but coming in we haven?t had many guys who have made the plays he can make in high school.?
? Redshirt freshman tight end Holden Huff was Petersen?s camper of the day after making several catches. ?Holden is making plays for us out there, and we like playmakers,? Petersen told Broncosports.com.
SPOTLIGHT ON ? OL JAKE BROYLES
Junior Jake Broyles is right back where he was a year ago ? fighting for a starting job on the Broncos? offensive line.
He won the job at right guard in 2011 but injured the big toe on his left foot in the third game of the year. He missed the rest of the season and eased back into action in spring ball.
He?s 100 percent now and competing with senior Michael Ames, junior Spencer Gerke and senior Brenel Myers ? all of whom have starting experience ? for a spot on the line.
?It?s awesome,? Broyles said. ?We?re all huge competitors. We all want to be out there. We know at the end of the day the best guy?s going to get the job.?
Broyles was surprised to learn that his injury required such an extensive rehab. He figured a toe wouldn?t be that bad.
?It just happens, and (the season) is gone like that,? he said. ?It?s a little hard to deal with it. You realize you have a couple years left and you still have teammates that need your support.?
He tried to use the time wisely. He improved his upper-body strength, worked his healthy leg and evaluated his own game.
?Mostly my footwork needs to be a little more precise,? he said.
He also drew motivation from the setback.
?It puts everything in perspective of how this is what you wanted to do ever since you can remember,? Broyles said. ?It gives you a little bit more motivation that you want to be out there and stay healthy.?
MEANWHILE, AT FRESNO STATE ?
The Bulldogs? offensive linemen are getting fitter and leaner to survive in the fast-paced, no-huddle offense of new coach Tim DeRuyter, the Fresno Bee reports. One lineman, Cody Wichmann, has lost about 30 pounds.
?They look different walking onto the field,? offensive line coach Cameron Norcross told the Bee. ?They don?t waddle onto the field, they saunter. They have a swagger to them now because they know they?ve changed themselves.?
Chadd Cripe: 377-6398, Twitter: @IDS_BroncoBeat
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