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Dees won't win the Heisman, that's for sure.
He has an outside shot at the Jim Thorpe award (given to the nation's top defensive back), but he probably won't win that, either.
There's no doubt, however, that he'll be on the mind of every opposing quarterback who calls a passing play in the fall.
With everyone raving about the BSU offense -- particularly record-setting QB Bart Hendricks -- Dees has received little national attention. The 5-foot-10 senior has quietly become one of the nation's top DB's -- the Big West version of Wisconsin's Jamar Fletcher or Tennessee's Deon Grant.
Dees began the 1999 season with four interceptions in four games (including two against UCLA on Sept. 4), a pace that would have seen him lead the nation in the category. After a month-long slump, he finished the season with a respectable six picks, good for seventh in the nation.
Dees, the Big West interception leader for two years running -- he had five INTs in 1998 -- was named a third-team preseason All-American by Athlon Sports' college football preview. He's slotted to anchor a Bronco defense that will challenge for a Big West title in the conference's final year of existence.
-- Luke Winn
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Dees averaged 0.5 interceptions per game in 1999. Boise State sports information
