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Sometimes a change of scenery is good. In the case of Legedu Naanee, his change has thrust him right into the NFL Draft picture. A little used quarterback during his first two-plus seasons with the Broncos, Naanee was reluctant to make the change to the receiving unit late in the 2004 season. It took him more than a season to get acclimated to his new role, but he made such an impression as a senior that the league's coaches voted him first-team All-Western Athletic Conference.
Pound-for-pound one of the team's strongest players, Naanee set quarterback position records in the weight room during 2003 spring camp, with lifts of 327 pounds in the power clean, 356 pounds in the hang clean, 520 pounds in the back squat, 305 pounds in the bench press and had a vertical jump of 36 inches in 2004 spring camp.
After he moved to wide receiver full-time in 2005, he set that position's records in the weight room in the power clean (364 pounds), hang clean (374 pounds) and back squat (525 pounds).
A quarterback at Franklin High School, Naanee produced outstanding passing numbers in his final two years. He threw for more than 3,800 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2000 and 2001, while also rushing for more than 600 yards and scoring eight times. Following his junior and senior seasons, he was named his league's Offensive Player of the Year.
The team captain led his team to the first round of the 2001 state playoffs and he would close out his career as a four-year starter. He also received first-team all-league honors on offense and defense after intercepting six passes during his final season. He was also an outstanding basketball player, receiving all-league honors as a junior.
Upon enrolling at Boise State in 2002, the coaching staff decided to redshirt him. He was relegated to just brief action in two games on offense in 2003, but saw action in 10 other contests on special teams, where he registered seven tackles (2 solos). Behind center at quarterback, he completed 1-of-5 passes for 27 yards, ran three times for four yards and caught a 4-yard pass.
Naanee spent most of the 2004 season as a personal protector on the punt unit, seeing almost no action at quarterback. The coaches experimented with him at tight end and receiver late in the year, as he gained 45 yards on four catches (11.2 avg.). He also ran for 79 yards on four carries (19.8 avg.).
In 2005, Naanee shifted to H-back. He started all 13 games and finished second on the team with 34 receptions for 483 yards (14.2 avg.) and six touchdowns. He gained 25 yards on four carries (6.2 avg.) and registered one solo tackle.
As a senior, the first-team All-Western Athletic Conference choice again switched positions, taking over "Z" receiver duties. He ranked third on the team with 35 catches for 541 yards (15.5 avg.) and six touchdowns while starting all 13 games. He also attempted one pass unsuccessfully.
In 49 games at Boise State, Naanee played in 30 contests as a receiver, starting 15 times. He finished with 74 receptions for 1,073 yards (14.5 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. He rushed for 198 yards on 18 carries (11.0 avg.) and completed one of six pass attempts for 27 yards. He also registered eight tackles (three solos).
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