LC’s Hout commits to Boise State

Byron Hout, who led the Lake City High football team to a 12-0 season and State 5A championship last fall and was later named the state’s player of the year, has given Boise State University an oral commitment.

Hout called BSU head coach Chris Peterson on Monday afternoon after spending the weekend at a Broncos camp.

“I really like their coaches,” Hout said of his decision. “I just kind of feel my heart tells me that’s the best place for me.”

The 6-foot, 215-pound Hout said BSU was one of five schools to offer a scholarship this spring. The others were the University of Washington, Idaho, Eastern Washington and Idaho State.

Hout, a two-way starter last year at defensive end and offensive tackle, will switch defensive positions this fall. He spent the two days at BSU’s camp learning his new position, middle linebacker. It’s the same position the Broncos plan to play him at, he said.

“The coaches said that I remind them a lot of a young Kory Hall the way I’m built,” Hout said.

Hall was BSU’s starting middle linebacker last year when the No. 5-ranked Broncos went 13-0 and defeated Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Hall was named the Western Athletic Conference’s defensive player of the year. He was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers. He’s in the Packers’ camp and is playing fullback.

Hout said BSU has been his favorite college since about the seventh grade. The Broncos’ season last year especially impressed him.

“They’re not always the biggest team, but they play fast and hit hard,” Hout said.

That, in a way, probably best describes Hout. He’s not the biggest player around, but few have his athleticism. Fewer yet pack the same punch as Hout, who had some bone-jarring hits last year.

“What I like about what Boise State does is it doesn’t get caught up with prototypes,” LC coach Van Troxel said. “They don’t care how big you are or how fast you are. They’re trying to find the best football players. In that scenario, Boise State is a great fit for Byron.

“Kory Hall was their heart and soul last year, and Byron was our heart and soul type of guy. He’s going to make plays, get after people and play hard.”

Hout went directly from Boise to Moscow where he joined his LC team for a weeklong camp.

“He had a great week,” Troxel said. “He got better every day. We think he’s going to have a great year. Of course, he was the player of the year last year. How do you top what he did last year? I hope he has an encore in him.”

Hout gave credit to Troxel for his opportunity to play in college.

“He’s probably the main reason I’ve been recruited by these schools,” Hout said. “He’s helped me a lot.”