White commits to play for Boise State

Hunter White was schedule to take an official recruiting trip to Boise State University on Jan. 19. But late New Year’s night, White made a key decision before taking that trip.

The Edison High standout football player had just finishing watching — along with a breathless college football nation — Boise State pull out a stunning 43-42 overtime upset victory over Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl that only could be described, as he said, as “incredible.”

After the game was over, White, a 6-foot, 200-pound receiver and linebacker who was named in December as the 2006 Player of the Year in the Sunset League, gave a verbal committed to play for the Broncos.

The national letter of intent signing day is Feb. 7.

“It was the best college game I’d ever seen and when it was over, I knew that I wanted to go there,” said White, who was recruited by the Broncos as a defensive player. After the game, White placed a cell phone call to Boise State head coach Chris Petersen with the news.

“He was awesome,” White said of Petersen, who took the call on the Broncos’ team bus as it headed back to its hotel headquarters following the game. “He said my committing was ‘icing on the cake’ and made his night.

“I kind of wanted to commit to them before the bowl game, but I had quite a few recruiting trips scheduled to take this month. But now, I’m a Bronco.”

College coaches are not allowed to discuss recruits with the press until letters of intent are signed on Feb. 7.

In addition to Boise State, White said he had official recruiting trips set for the University of Nevada at Reno, Washington State, Villanova and Colorado State.

Although he had yet to take the trips, he said he had decided to narrow his choices between Boise State and Washington State.

“I really like Washington State, too,” he said. “I think a combo of things sold me on Boise State. A lot of Orange County guys play there. I love the coaches and in talking with a few of the players, they love the program.”

One of those players he’s talked repeatedly with is former Edison player Ryan Keating, a senior offensive lineman for the Broncos.

During his senior year at Edison, White had 74 receptions for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns. On defense, he had 108 tackles and returned two interceptions and two fumbles for touchdowns.

As a junior, White was named the league’s defensive MVP.

“He’s worked real hard for this,” said Edison Coach Dave White, Hunter’s father. “He’s been really passionate about football during his four years here. We’re excited for him.”

At Boise State, he’ll play his career at Bronco Stadium, home to — as the school puts it — the “only blue Astro Turf in the world.”

“Everybody always comments on it, but I like the blue field,” Hunter White said. “I’m looking forward to playing on it.”