Patient Dobbs thrives

Dallas Dobbs was all but invisible in last year’s Fiesta Bowl, recording a tackle on a kickoff return in Boise State’s amazing 43-42 overtime win over Oklahoma.

But the former Chaparral High School standout will play a more prominent role for the Broncos (10-2) against East Carolina (7-5) in today’s Hawaii Bowl.

Dobbs, a 6-foot-2-inch, 220-pound junior, will start at inside linebacker, where he leads Boise State in interceptions this season with three and is third on the squad in tackles with 65.

“When we first took over last year, it was presumed that he’d never play here, and he’s a starter now, so he’s come a long way,” Boise State linebackers coach Viliami Tuivai said. “Dallas has played beyond anyone’s expectations.”

For his efforts, Dobbs was named the school’s inaugural winner of the Bronco Excellence Award, which honors the team’s most improved player.

“It’s been a great year for me,” Dobbs said. “(My college career has) changed from being something where I just wanted to stick it out and finish something that I started, to being an asset for the team.”

Dobbs, who played mostly on special teams the past two seasons — and entered this year intent on winning the long snapper job, which he did — saw his fortunes start to change when the school’s coaching staff did last year.

Tuivai moved him from outside to inside linebacker in the Broncos’ 4-3 defense, and Dobbs thrived in his new role in practice.

“All of a sudden, my (practice) reps increased dramatically, and I had some time to shine,” Dobbs said. “At the beginning of this year, I felt a lot more comfortable with what I was doing on the field.”

When starting linebacker David Shields went down with an injury midway through this season, Dobbs stepped in and stepped up his game.

“He’s one of our leaders,” Tuivai said. “He’s just a very instinctive and very smart player.”

Boise State defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox said Dobbs’ strength lies in the details.

“He’s not going to strike you getting off the bus,” he said. “He slips a block and makes a tackle, or he plays into a passing lane. He’s got a knack for that. That’s probably the hardest thing in our business to evaluate.”

Dobbs isn’t a typical Division I college linebacker and didn’t take a typical route to Boise State, either.

After graduating from Chaparral in 2001, Dobbs went on a two-year Latter-day Saints mission to Argentina, then sold cars in Las Vegas for a few months before enrolling at Boise State in the spring of 2004.

The Broncos redshirted Dobbs in 2004, while Steven Jackson, a fellow member of the high school class of 2001, was starting his rookie year with the St. Louis Rams.

“Every time I see him on TV, I’m like, ‘Man, I’m still in college. What happened?’ ” Dobbs said.

Dobbs was born in Boise, Idaho, and lived there until his family moved to Las Vegas when he was in the first grade. His parents since have moved back to Boise, so they can go to his games.

Dobbs, an excellent student and accounting major, doesn’t live with his parents, though. He lives with his wife. He got married in the summer of 2005.

“He’s a real different type of guy than the normal Division I jock,” Tuivai said. “He doesn’t care about bling-bling and wearing jewelry. He’s a married LDS guy, he’s older than most of the cats, and he has a very funny sense of humor.

“He’s quite the comedian. He keeps things lively.”

Dobbs is serious about improving his game, though.

“Showing up early, working hard and giving all-out effort is one thing I attribute to his success here, and I’m sure it will make him better in the future,” Tuivai said. “The game will slow down for him as time goes on.”

Dobbs said he’s happy but not satisfied with his progress. “Once they give you a shot and you contribute, it just makes you want to do better,” he said. “My expectations are a lot higher.”

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0354.