Upon first glance, Boise State redshirt freshman Joel Velazquez looks nothing like a kicker. Or a punter.
But this season, the Broncos are likely to have the 6-foot, 228-pounder handle double duty at both key special teams positions.
Until his junior year at Trabuco Hills High in Mission Viejo, Calif., Velazquez played linebacker and fullback. He then decided to focus on using his size to create some serious boom on his kicks.
“He’s a big, strong guy,” special teams coordinator Kent Riddle said. “... It doesn’t wear on him like other guys. But we’re mindful of that.