The number of Ringwraiths in Tolkien’s classic, The Lord of the Rings, and also the jersey number of former (semi-recent) Bronco quarterbacks Jaylon Henderson and Grant Hedrick, nine is also the jersey number assigned to a current Boise State wide receiver…
#9, Shea Whiting, Redshirt Senior, Wide Receiver
Stats
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 221 lbs
High school: Alief Taylor (Houston, TX)
How’d he get to The Blue™?
Boise State’s imperialistic quest to lure all the tall, athletic receivers out of Texas has continued with Mr. Whiting. Whiting was named a Blue-Grey All-American as a senior in HS and accounted for over 1,100 yards and 12 TDs in his last two prep seasons. There have been some questions of his sanity as he [checks notes] willingly ran the 400 meter dash in his prep days, being a member of the second fastest team in the nation. Mr. Whiting correctly spurned offers from Cal, Arizona, Houston, and Indiana and instead made Boise State his athletic, academic, and literal home.
Nickname
“Smooth”
Runs routes as smooth as shea butter.
Look-alike
Star Trek: The Next Generation and Reading Rainbow veteran, LeVar Burton
Career Highlights
So far, not a ton of receiving statistics recorded at the college level; Only three receptions for one yard. On special teams, he’s accumulated five tackles.
His high school highlights can be enjoyed here.
2023 Prospectus
I’ve been waiting for Whiting (and Cobbs too, actually) to have a breakout pretty much since he got here, because all the pieces are there. He’s got talent, length, and speed. Opportunities have not necessarily been as plentiful, however, and this season there is yet again a lot of returning talent at the position. I know there’s a lot of great receivers in the room, but I’m still going to expect Shea to break out and get some serious numbers on the board in his final year as a Bronco. Also, for what it’s worth, his quarterback seems to be a fan of his.
Is he on Twitter?
Yes. @WhitingShea. But, in a highly understandable turn of events, the man values his privacy and his Twitter is not public.
Completely made up fact
Unlike the rest of America, Shea withstood the urge to participate in the ice bucket challenge for ALS a few years ago. He has a lifelong aversion to ice water, but he wanted to do something. So, he opted instead to go around and single-handedly (literally) cure people of minor medical inconveniences, such as hangnails and upset tummies, via high fives from his magic hands. He posted none of this on social media though because not only do real heroes not wear capes, they also have no desire for online clout.
It is weird to have so much potential and talent in our WR room but with such little production. I know Shakir ate up a lot of the Bachmeier passes…maybe that is the reason. I hope a few of them have a breakout season. If we are able to pound the rock well in the run game, it should open some things up for our receivers.
It always seemed as if Hank could only find one or two receivers. When Green started, the ball was pretty well spread around. It always seemed to me he had a primary and secondary and please help. In that way, he was a better pass performer than Hank. Hank had a primary and that was pretty much it. Hank could tuck and run and run into somebody. Green Tucks and runs and makes defenders miss.
I always wondered what IF he stayed last year and played with Dirk as the OC if he would have played better. But hopefully he has luck at La-Tech
I, too, would have liked to see him stay but perhaps Dirk told him he was going to go with Green and he’d have to win the spot back.