Today the Senior Bowl is played in Mobile, Alabama, a opportunity for many of colleges best seniors to show case their football skills and increase their stock in the up coming NFL Draft. Its a big day for a lot of kids and their families. Of all the post season bowls, like the Shrine Bowl, this is probably the single most important bowl game for the college seniors. Each team is coached by an NFL coaching staff. General managers are there, kids interviewed by different pro teams, this the biggest and final showcase for players to make their case as to why they should be drafted.
What I like about it, is its based in large by talent, not just the name of a conference or school. Players from all over the country are invited regardless if they played for Auburn, Bama,Texas or even smaller lesser known schools like the Boise State Broncos.
Boise State has two players in today's game, Titus Young and Austin Pettis, for us Idaho spud peelers that is pretty big doings. Pettis and Young are the two best receivers to ever play on "The Blue." That is what we call our field, guess cause the field really is blue.
In today's game Young will be wearing the #2 jersey and Pettis #1, just the opposite of what they wore their senior season. I will share a bit of each of their history, to me that Titus is in today's game is amazing in and of its self.
Austin Pettis: Boise States all time leading receiver and receiving touch downs. The scouts really seem to like Pettis. Hi speed and ability to separate are questionable, but he does have good hands and the ability to shield the ball from defenders and the ability to get open. There are two plays by Pettis that just stand out for me, they were awesome. The first one was in his junior year, I think against Tulsa. Pettis ran a fade route and went up for the ball, the defender never turned around. The pass was under thrown. Pettis exhibited his body control, as he made his jump he was able to see the ball was under thrown and folded over the defender and caught a ball for 6 that would have hit the defender square in the numbers.
The second play also took place in his junior year in the Fiesta Bowl. Pettis was coming off a broken ankle and surgery. The guy could hardly walk and barely make a cut. Pettis got into the game and some how got open and made a critical first down catch. I was amazed at his dedication to his team, his ability to some how get open and jump and make that catch.
Mel Kiper projects Pettis as a 4th or 5th round draft pick. Today he has the opportunity to lock that in or even raise his stock.
Titus Young: Young was Boise States speed merchant and deep threat receiver and holds the Bronco record of most receiving yards. To me this is where the Titus Young story gets interesting.
During Young's sophomore year he was suspended for like a game and half at the beginning of the season, seems he needed some attitude readjustment time. Young was barely back in the line up before what happened before got him suspended for the rest of the season and kicked off the team. Coach Pete would not even talk to Titus, but there was some sort of window of opportunity to get back on the team left open.
Most people expected Young to transfer to another school and take the easy way out. I don't know what Pete and his staff have that Young wanted so badly but he stayed and ate what ever humble pie necessary to rejoin the team.
His junior year saw some changes in attitude but he still had that showboat its about me tendencies. Once Titus got in the end zone he had excessive celebration penalties plague him all season, especially when the games were televised.
Titus had three plays I will always remember. During the 2009 Fresno State game played there. Running back Jermey Avery got to the edge and rambled for what have been around a 60 yard score. As Avery approached the goal line a Fresno player slapped the ball from his arms. It looked as if the ball would roll through the end zone giving Fresno a two point safety and the ball. Young followed the play all the way down, jumping on the ball and turning a disaster into a Boise State touchdown.
That same season against the University of Idaho on kick off his guys signaled take a knee. In stead Titus took it out of the end zone and ran it back for a 103 yard touchdown.
The catch in what proved to be a losing effort against the Nevada Wolf Pack.
ESPN's Mel Kiper sees Young as a second or third round draft pick.
Their days at Boise State are over, the memories they created will long endure and I do hope the best for them in pros. Titus, Austin thanks for the memories
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