Freshman linebacker Tommy Smith from Atlanta, Ga., chose Boise State despite taking his recruiting trip on a snowy weekend.

“I liked it,” he said. “In Atlanta, we get snow every blue moon. It was a new thing to me. It snowed in Atlanta this last year, but I think I was 7 the last time it snowed (before that).”

The Broncos found Smith through a recruiting video posted on YouTube. His high school coaches sent the link to schools across the country trying to drum up interest in Smith, who racked up 12 sacks and two interceptions on an unsuccessful team.

Smith (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) is expected to fit well on the strong side of the defense because of his pass-rushing background (he played defensive end in high school), speed and lanky frame.

Colorado, Tulane, Middle Tennessee and Troy showed interest. Smith committed early to Western Kentucky, but jumped on an offer from the Broncos.

“They win championships — that’s why I’m here,” he said. “I want to contribute to the team.”

One newcomer who has intrigued observers this week: left tackle Faraji Wright (6-foot-3, 275 pounds) of Vallejo, Calif. Wright played at Berkeley High, right under the noses of Cal, and looks like he could blossom into a regular part of the offensive line.

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Boise State only has season tickets remaining in two sections, ticket manager Anita Guerricabeitia said. The school has sold a record 22,448 season tickets this year, including the Stueckle Sky Club.

Pricey tickets are available on the 50-yard line where the old University Club was. The tickets require a $925 Bronco Athletic Association membership per pair.

Obstructed-view family plans are available in section 101.

Individual-game tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Aug. 14. Guerricabeitia expects to have 300-1,500 seats available, depending on the game.

Tickets remain on sale for all road games except Oregon. Boise State sold out its 2,000 Oregon tickets and has nearly sold out its 3,000 Nevada tickets.

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The heat and the Broncos' fast-paced practices are starting to take a toll on the players. They had to fight through the fatigue during Wednesday's morning practice, the first in shoulder pads.

The offensive line brought good intensity to a drill called half-line, where the offense and defense set up with just one side of their formation. Senior right guard Jon Gott had some good blocks and sophomore tailback Jeremy Avery proved he has big pop in a small frame, delivering a vicious hit on one of his runs.

The leading candidate for play of the day so far came from senior defensive end Mike T. Williams, who mauled freshman quarterback Kellen Moore from behind, knocked the ball loose and pounced on the fumble. It was a lineman's hat trick — sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery. In all, the defense recovered three fumbles in the practice.

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Sports Illustrated ranks Boise State No. 37. Colorado, led by former Broncos coach Dan Hawkins, is No. 36.

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We finally got ahold of defensive end Justin Jungblut, the Broncos' 10th commitment we've confirmed for 2009. He was at a team camp in San Diego for several days and unavailable to talk.

Jungblut (6-foot-6, 248 pounds) is from Saguaro High in Scottsdale, Ariz., the same school that produced offensive lineman Joe Kellogg, who joined the team this week.

Jungblut attended the Broncos’ camp this summer. He also had offers from Utah, Air Force, Wyoming, Idaho and UNLV, he said. Some Pac-10 schools have started to show interest, he said.

“They wanted to wait and see what I did my senior year,” Jungblut said. “I’m a firm commitment to Boise.”