Shadle Park QB Brett Rypien commits to Boise State

Brett Rypien sidestepped family ties – like avoiding a blind-side, would-be tackler – making an oral commitment to play football at Boise State during an unofficial visit Saturday.

The Shadle Park senior-to-be quarterback confirmed his commitment to The Spokesman-Review through a text message.

“For me, it came down to three things I was looking for,” Rypien said by phone. “I wanted a good coaching staff, good facilities and an atmosphere I could see myself being successful in for four years. Boise State definitely has all of that for me. I was really blown away by their facilities.”

Rypien and his parents and two sisters drove to Pendleton, Ore., after a baseball game Friday evening. They arrived in Boise at 10 a.m., Saturday. Rypien immediately met with head coach Bryan Harsin along with 34 other juniors the Broncos are recruiting. Rypien toured the campus and football facilities and watched a BSU scrimmage later in the afternoon.

After the scrimmage, Rypien went to Harsin’s office where he made his commitment.

He said it came down between BSU and Washington State, the first school to make an offer.

“I can’t thank WSU enough,” Rypien said. “It’s the toughest decision I’ve ever made. I’ve lost countless hours of sleep over it.”

Rypien was first offered by BSU last summer while he attended a camp. That was when BSU was coached by Chris Peterson, who has since moved on to Washington.

Harsin – a former BSU quarterback and coaching assistant – was the head coach at Arkansas State last year before being lured away to return to Boise.

Rypien has chosen his own path. His uncle, Mark Rypien, played at WSU and went on to become a Super Bowl MVP quarterback.

Uncle never pressured nephew. “He was supportive of me throughout this entire process,” Rypien said.

He said earlier this week that he planned to take some time after his visit to BSU before making a decision.

“I didn’t want to wait any longer,” he said. “I’m just glad it’s over with.”

BSU’s reward is arguably the best quarterback in Greater Spokane League history.

Rypien has rewritten the GSL record book. He ranks first and second in all-time single-season passing yards (3,266 last year and 3,129 as a sophomore). He ranks first as the all-time career passer (7,135) and owns the top five single-game marks, the best being 613 yards.

He also ranks first in all-time single-season total offense, all-time career offense and all-time touchdown passes (46).