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Berger to Broncos

by JASON ELLIOTT
Sports Writer | July 31, 2014 9:00 PM

Coeur d'Alene High senior linebacker Drew Berger will have one less thing to worry about now.

Berger verbally committed to Boise State on Wednesday, and will join the Broncos for the 2015-16 football season.

"We're pretty excited for him," Coeur d'Alene coach Shawn Amos said. "It's certainly a good spot for him and his family, with having (Coeur d'Alene High graduate and BSU freshman) Chase (Blakely) being there. I was kind of hoping he'd go to Idaho."

Berger could not be reached for comment on Wednesday

BSU recruited Berger, who is 6-foot-2 225 pounds, to play inside linebacker. Berger also played running back last year for Coeur d'Alene, which claimed the state 5A championship with a 31-28 win against Highland High of Pocatello at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow.

"He's a hard-working kid and has a great passion for football," Amos said. "His physicality matches the college game."

Berger also had interest from Washington State and Idaho, receiving an offer from the Vandals.

Berger finished last season with 83 tackles, 49 solo and nine tackles for loss as a junior linebacker for Coeur d'Alene.

As a running back, Berger ran for 308 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 6.42 yards a carry.

Coeur d'Alene opens the season at Skyline High of Idaho Falls on Aug. 29.

"It's nice for him to have that done so he can focus on playing high school football and enjoy that," Amos said.

Berger becomes the sixth player in the last two years from Coeur d'Alene to commit to a Division I program, joining Jeremiah Hazard (Idaho State), Matt James (Washington), Blakley (Boise State), Gunnar Amos (Idaho) and Austin Chadderdon (Montana).