Everything pointed in the same direction for La Quinta High School graduate Taylor Pope.
His bedroom was decorated in blue and orange and although a native Californian, the three-sport Blackhawk standout was always a fan of the Denver Broncos.
As it turns out, the talented football player had the "blue and orange" part right, and the "Broncos" part right.
But it's not Denver, but Boise State where he will don that uniform.
Pope is headed to the Idaho football factory as a preferred walk-on. He was contacted and secured by the Boise staff after their coaches spoke with La Quinta coach Dan Armstrong.
"Out of nowhere, coach Armstrong got a call and they asked if I was still available," said Pope, who recently appeared in the California vs. Arizona high school senior all-star game. "I was looking at numerous schools, but I wasn't sure. Then they recruited me as a receiver. I love catching the ball and I could see myself on special teams."
Pope was La Quinta's quarterback, a standout on defense and was named team MVP, all-Desert Valley League and all-Desert Sun. He admits he'll have to work for a chance to play for the Mountain West Conference favorites.
"It seemed like a natural choice, the natural path to take -- and almost surreal," said Pope. "I've never really been one that had things handed to me and I like to test myself. I push myself really hard and I'm excited to see what happens next."
The 6-1, 180-pounder has been working out all summer with former NFL lineman Johnathan Ingram. He leaves for camp with Boise State on Wednesday.
