Bengals sign JUCO QB
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POCATELLO - The surprise departure of redshirt freshman Codi Boek left the Idaho State football coaches in the rather unfavorable position of dressing just two quarterbacks entering fall camp.
Coaches wanted to move quickly, then, to fill Boek's roster spot.
They did just that on Wednesday.
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Kyle Blum, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Moorpark, Calif., is now a member of the Bengals, rounding out a trio of quarterbacks that already includes sophomore Luke Butler and redshirt freshman Russel Hill.
Of the two remaining Idaho State signal callers from spring camp, the 6-foot-4 Blum is much more like Butler than Hill. Both Blum and Butler are redshirt sophomores, both are tall and more comfortable inside the pocket than outside it, and both saw their high school numbers stunted by the system in which they played.
''Like Luke, he wasn't in an offense that threw 30 times a game,'' said quarterbacks coach Brian Jensen. ''We liked his overall skill and his youthfulness; we weren't looking for a junior or senior.''
Splitting time as the starter last fall at Moorpark (Calif.) Junior College, Blum went 54-for-108 in eight games, throwing for 993 yards and seven touchdowns. Those numbers were almost spot-on projections from his high school numbers. As a senior at nearby Moorpark High, he threw for 1,444 yards for 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, playing in 11 games. His completion rate (50 percent) was identical to what it was last year in junior college.
But that wasn't a reflection on Blum's talent, said Tim Lins, his high school coach.
''We ran the ball a lot, so he didn't have 3,000 yards passing like other players,'' Lins said via phone from his California home. ''He's a smart guy, and he'll do what he's told. He's a team guy.''
Jensen said Blum will be given every chance to battle for the starting position between now and the Sept. 8 home opener against Southern Oregon - though missing spring camp will most certainly be detrimental to Blum's chances. Still, Jensen is confident in the abilities of all three quarterbacks to lead the Bengals.
''All three of those guys - Luke (Butler), Russel (Hill) and Kyle (Blum) - can play,'' Jensen said.
With the addition of Blum, the Bengals now have two sophomores and one redshirt freshman at quarterback, with recruit Evan Mozzochi expected to reshirt the 2007 season.
Boek decided to transfer to American River College, closer to his father's home outside Sacramento. His father, Nathan, was diagnosed with cancer in early May.
By Dan Thompson
