By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

Freshman safety George Iloka — who ought to be thinking about his high school graduation right now — has made quite an impression during spring ball.

The early start he created by graduating from high school in January and immediately enrolling at Boise State could land him a role this season.

“He’s fun to watch because he really probably shouldn’t be here right now,” coach Chris Petersen said. “He should be joining us in three or four months. He may be a factor in the fall.”

Defensive backs coach Marcel Yates said that Iloka already is one of the most natural players he has. He also is an imposing 6-foot-3, 200 pounds.

“He stands out,” sophomore-starting safety Jeron Johnson said.

•••

Jack Sula, the Carson (Calif.) High linebacker recently profiled in ESPN The Magazine, has signed a letter of intent and will join the Boise State football program in August, Broncos coach Chris Petersen said Monday.

Sula (6-foot, 205 pounds) drew national attention because his stepfather is a former prominent gang leader and his mother was a former gang member, according to the ESPN article.

He drew the Broncos’ attention because he became available when nobody inked him on National Signing Day, partly because Sula had not fully committed to play linebacker. He also was a standout tailback at Carson, rushing for more than 1,800 yards in each of the past two seasons.

Sula was a team captain. He chose football over gangs, the ESPN article said.

“We like his character tremendously,” Petersen said. “We just think he’s our type of person and he is a very, very productive football player.”

Sula is the fifth linebacker in the Broncos’ 2008 recruiting class.

Here's a link to the magazine article.

•••

The Broncos practiced Monday without pads. They practice again Wednesday, then wrap up the spring with the Spring Game on Friday (6 p.m., Bronco Stadium).