Seniors have edge in filling key BSU voids
BOISE - Two of the biggest voids on the Boise State football team were left by wide receiver Austin Pettis and safety Jeron Johnson - a pair of four-year stars who were as reliable as they come.
The buzz surrounding those positions centers on the young guys who are the future of the program.
But the competition for those spots likely will start with a pair of seniors who see 2011 as their opportunity to step into the spotlight.
Wide receiver Tyler Shoemaker, who carved out a niche as a slot receiver, and safety Cedric Febis, the Broncos' special teams player of the year in 2010, are among the veteran players coaches hope will step up when spring ball begins March 7. The Spring Game is April 16.
"We need those guys," coach Chris Petersen said. "They're seniors and they've been good contributors in different ways."
Shoemaker and Febis aren't alone.
The Broncos have 28 seniors on their roster this year, and only 11 of them are returning starters.
For the rest, this is their last, and best, chance to make a lasting impact.
"We lost enough good players that, whether they're from the younger side or older, they're going to have to take that next step for us to do what we need to do," Petersen said.
Shoemaker has 60 career catches for 1,037 yards and nine touchdowns, including a career-high 32 catches last season. Pettis had more than 60 catches each of the past two seasons.
Offensive coordinator and former wide receivers coach Brent Pease expects Shoemaker to slide into one of the outside receiver spots this season. That would make room for someone like sophomore Kirby Moore at slot receiver.
"A lot of that is going to depend on me getting those outside routes and concepts down," Shoemaker said. "That's what I plan on doing, moving around, being diverse."
Said Pease: "He needs to be able to handle all situations and be a playmaker for the offense. If he's one of the two best guys, he needs to become an outside guy."
Shoemaker will compete with a host of younger players, like sophomores Aaron Burks, Geraldo Hiwat and Moore, juniors Mitch Burroughs and Chris Potter and freshmen Troy Ware and Matt Miller.
Hiwat showed flashes of big-play potential last fall and might be able to replace some of Titus Young's production. Burks has made some long catches in scrimmages. Shoemaker also has high from hopes for Miller, who tore an Achilles' tendon in fall camp last year.
"They're young and kind of raw but when you see them play you guys will know they're the real deal," Shoemaker said.
Febis also has a youngster on his heels. Redshirt freshman Jeremy Ioane, who chose Boise State over Notre Dame and Washington last year, is considered a potential star.
Senior Travis Stanaway, a longtime special-teams standout, was Johnson's backup last season and also will be in the race. Johnson led the team in tackles each of the past three seasons.
"It's a good spot," said Febis, who backed up returning starter George Iloka last year. "You saw what the guy did who just left. Everybody's going to want to fill his shoes. I mean, that's going to be hard to do, but of course everybody is going to want to get a crack at it."
Febis has been an intriguing prospect for years but injuries and the play of Johnson and Iloka - two All-WAC first-teamers - have kept him off the field.
His impeccable play on special teams last season could propel him to a role on defense this year.
"Last year on special teams, I just felt that I knew what I was doing," Febis said. "I saw things before they actually happened. Special teams was where I made my money at. It's definitely a confidence-builder."