By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2011 Idaho Statesman

Nickel Chris Santini of San Jose, Calif., gave the Boise State football program an oral commitment Monday evening.

Santini (6-foot-1, 216 pounds) chose the Broncos over Pac-12 members Oregon State and Utah, among others. He visited Boise State for junior day in the spring.

“I loved the feeling that I got when I came out there,” he said. “It just felt right to me.”

Santini is the 13th commitment for the 2012 signing class confirmed by the Idaho Statesman.

He’s powerful — he can squat 500 pounds — and aggressive, a good combination for the nickel position. He played safety last season at Leland and will play middle linebacker this season.

“I’m just extremely excited (about) how great it’s going to be when I get there,” he said, “the feeling of knowing that I’m going somewhere that’s so great.”

Here's the updated 2012 recruiting class:

— CB Marcus Rios, 6-0, 170, Cosumnes Oaks HS (Elk Grove, Calif.)
— QB Nick Patti, 5-11, 195, Dr. Phillips HS (Orlando, Fla.)
— WR/RB Shane Rhodes, 5-7, 160, Klein Collins HS (Spring, Texas)
— CB Chaz Anderson, 6-0, 175, Loyola HS (Los Angeles)
— TE Armand Nance, 6-1, 238, Dekaney HS (Houston)
— RB Devan Demas, 5-9, 170, Cypress Creek HS (Houston)
— OL Steven Baggett, 6-4, 250, Martin HS (Arlington, Texas)
— RB Jack Fields, 5-11, 200, Americas HS (El Paso, Texas)
— CB Donte Deayon, 5-9, 155, Summit HS (Fontana, Calif.)
— LB Ben Weaver, 6-1, 225, Klein HS (Spring, Texas)
— OL Travis Averill, 6-4, 280, Servite HS (Anaheim, Calif.)
— LB Andrew Pint, 6-2, 215, Valor Christian HS (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
— N Chris Santini, 6-1, 216, Leland HS (San Jose, Calif.)