Berger follows family to Boise State

The family tie was in place long ago and it was a strong one. That was always a draw. But ask Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) linebacker Drew Berger about his decision to commit to Boise State, and he downplays the significance of brother's standing as a member of the Broncos.

Instead, he has a list of more traditional reasons. He won't say his brother, class of 2014 prospect Chase Blakley, didn't play a role. At the same time, though, Berger didn't follow blindly.

"The Boise coaching staff's intensity was important," Berger said. "The fact that they were my first offer and that they never stopped trying to get my on board mattered. When I step on that blue, there's no place I'd rather be."

Berger announced his commitment to the entire Broncos staff via speakerphone prior to the school's Wednesday-night staff meeting. The in-state school represented Berger's lone FBS scholarship offer. Still, according to him, there was at least one other serious player in the race to land his commitment.

"Washington State was on me pretty hard," Berger said. "I talked to Coach Wilson and he said the coaches were all over the place right now, but they were going to meet and figure out offers. He said I was right at the top. He said if I could wait around, and offer would come most likely. It was between Washington Sate and Boise, but I just knew Boise was the place for me.

As for the timing of the decision, Berger says it was more of a feeling-based reaction than a hard deadline he set for himself. This, it seems, was a slow build of sorts.

"I think, just talking with my family and the coaches, I figured out it was the right place for me recently," Berger said.

Berger a three-star prospect in the class of 2015 will join his brother Blakley, who chose Boise State as a four-star tight end during the last recruiting cycle.