Shields Out, Career Over

Boise State has issued a press release that linebacker David Shield's shoulder injury will keep him out for this year, effectively ending his career at Boise State:

Shields will use a medical hardship and remain on scholarship. He will stay
with the team in an undetermined role through December when he expects to
graduate. He won't count towards the Broncos' limit of 85 scholarships.

This is disappointing news for Shields who had promising sophomore and junior years. Luckily, this year seems to be a strong year for the Broncos at linebacker.

David Shields to sit out senior season [BroncoSports.com]

OBNUG Roster Update: Linebackers

Spring football gets OBNUG in the mood to speculate, so over the next few weeks, we will be making blind guesses as to who will be starting for the Broncos in the fall. We’ll do it position-by-position. Today: Linebackers.

Linebackers

Ideal candidate: Bobby Boucher


Worst candidate: Gallant from Highlights


Actual candidates: Kyle Gingg, Derrell Acrey, Dallas Dobbs, David Shields, Tim Brady, Ellis Powers, Aaron Tevis, Tommy Smith, Byron Hout, Daron Mackey, Hunter White, Dan Paul

OBNUG's pick: Gingg, Mackey, Dobbs. A position of weakness last year should be a strength for the Broncos in 2008. I mean look at that list! The Broncos could start 11 linebackers if they wanted! We think that might be imprudent, so we'll go with Gingg, Mackey, and Dobbs in the meantime, although we expect many others to contribute.

Kyle Wilson out of spring practice

The Idaho Statesman is reporting that Kyle Wilson will miss spring practice due to a knee injury. With Orlando Scandrick gone to the NFL, the Broncos will be without both of their starting cornerbacks from last year for the spring.

While Wilson's injury is not expected to be serious, linebacker David Shields is still a question mark to return next season after shoulder surgery. Fortunatley, the team is stacked at linebacker, but having a veteran presence like Shields would be helpful.

Other Broncos get their shot (see sidebar) [Idaho Statesman]

David Shields to have surgery

This, from the Idaho Statesman:

Boise State senior linebacker David Shields will have another shoulder surgery this month and miss spring ball, Petersen said. It's unclear when Shields, who has started for parts of the past two seasons, will be ready to play.

This news appeared at the bottom of the recruiting story in yesterday's paper. It is interesting that there are so many good linebacker recruits in this class. Perhaps the team is expecting Shields to have a slow recovery.

Signed, sealed, delivered [Idaho Statesman]