Way back in the hallowed days of antiquity, aka “two days ago”, we learned that the number 1 ranked recruit in the entire country (rated by ESPN) coming out of high school in 2023, QB Malachi Nelson, was visiting Boise State. Well…there are weeks where nothing happens and days where weeks happen. This is the latter. Apparently the visit went well, because today he committed to Boise State.
He had initially signed with the University of Southern California and was in the transfer portal after one season, where he redshirted.
With Maddux Madsen presumably coming back from his injury and CJ Tiller getting another off-season of work, the QB competition this fall should be anything but boring! And it sounds like he welcomes the challenge. Part of the reason why he wanted to come to Boise State was for the opportunity to prove himself at a blue collar program. He’ll also have the benefit of one of the more experienced teams in the country around him; particularly at running back and offensive line. So…that competition should be fun! In the meantime, you can treat yourself to some of his highlights via Hudl, here.
It’s worth noting that in the new era of NIL, Boise State might have a sneaky advantage in drawing talent from the transfer portal due to the new CFP rules that begin next year. Under the new system, the highest ranked group of five (G5) team will make it to the CFB Playoff. It’s going to be attractive to a lot of talented players to have the opportunity to get that kind of showcase. Boise State has a track record of being among the highest achieving G5 schools, so the odds of a will be one of the early beneficiaries of that change are pretty good. Perhaps this was something that Malachi considered. He also likely considered the endorsement of a former Bronco (and Alum of his high school), Coach Mike Sanford:
Secondary Reinforcements
In other recruiting news, Bronco Nation will be excited to learn that Boise State is bringing in veteran help in the secondary from the P5. Jeremiah Earby, a corner. has committed to the Broncos from the University of California
Kicking Back
Outside of recruiting, Boise State got another huge win this week by retaining the services of Jonah Dalmas for another year. He has been one of the most reliable kickers in Boise State history.
Back to Malachi…(Because, Why Not?)
Some reactions from across the college football landscape, including current and former Broncos:
Presumably, you all have some reactions too?Feel free to share them in the comments section below!
Nice. Maybe this can help recruit a replacement for McCalister.
Allegedly he dad said in an interview that wherever he ended up, he wouldn’t be going alone. Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to bring in some WR competition.
There are 2 WRs from USC in the portal.
I’ll never have a problem with additional depth ESPECIALLY if they have sticky hands and are fleet of foot!
Well, we picked one up from Indiana! Cam Camper!
This is great news. Tremendous upgrade to the QB room. I hope Malachi can fit in and produce. This will put five QBs in the room next season. Presumably, he’ll be here for Spring ball.
Many thought it was the end of the world when Taylen left. I hope there’s a WR in the portal who wants to be a part of a dynamic team. That said, we weren’t able to get a good look at Bolt and Strachan last year.
All I have to add for now is, WELCOME TO THE BLUE, MALACHI!
Thank you, Malachi! Welcome to the Blue. Cannot wait for the 24-25 season to begin!!
LFG!!!!
Yes! I really like Maddog, and I think Tiller can be great, but Nelson gives us a shot at being a legit contender for the first G5 AQ in the expanded playoff! Awesome!
By June, there is no way that the QB room has Nelson, Tiller, Mad Dog, Bennett & Fulton. 1-2 are leaving. When Nelson arrives, he’ll officially use up his one “FBS Freebie” coupon from the NCAA. It’s FCS or bust from here until graduation where Mad Dog & Tiller can start over fresh elsewhere in May/June after Spring Practice. I’m sure Boise (like all other programs) will still lose another 2-3 guys in the Spring & thus gain another 2-3 guys. I think Colorado & Deion has 29 transfers in May after Spring Practice on top of the 37 he… Read more »
The NCAA is likely going away from the 1 free transfer rule, it seems like it is going to turn into a free for all in the coming years with no limitations on transfers
I’m never typically big on the recruiting hype machine. Obviously there were QB’s at USC that were better or he wouldn’t have split. And based on his recruiting rank they probably weren’t higher grades coming in. Always great to pickup great competition in the QB room though. He needs to come in and earn it. He wanted blue collar and I hope he embraces it! Danielson is killing it though. We only lost 2 to the transfer portal. Ensured key talent returned to the program. He has been able to maintain the coaching staff and improve it. He is recruiting… Read more »
BSU actually lost 4 players to the portal, which is probably about the usual turnover, and one player that transferred into the program retired. Losing the starting QB and primary receiver was a pain to all but BSU is VERY fortunate that’s all that was lost. Look at the list of transfers for Air Force, SDSU and UNM.
https://www.mwcconnection.com/2023/9/23/23813464/mountain-west-football-player-movement-tracker-transfer-portal-teams-2024-cycle
I’m curious about the players leaving Air Force because I thought they had to serve their time in the military after football was over.
On AF, as an AF grad and season ticket holder but born and bred in Boise and still huge Boise fan (I still hate U of I 🙂), for AF players there is no commitment if they leave before they step into their first class starting junior year. As for their departures listed this year, all were freshmen or sophomore and had no playing time with the exception of Rillos (starting TE) and Eldridge (starting RB). Both of them graduated but have one more year of eligibility. AF doesn’t have a way to allow them to play at AF for… Read more »
Thanks for the info
And by the way, BSU v AFA is TORTURE for all of us every year!
Indeed.
Your last sentence says it all…that makes two of us.
Did not know about the other two. I remember Wright had some playing time. At least I think so.
Still pretty good considering the exodus of players from the other mountain west schools. Surprised Fresno, San Diego and UNLV didn’t hold onto more. They typically contend for Mtn West titles and the mountain west is primed to have a team in the playoff.
Would have included Utah State but they are perennial chokers.
Players at military academies (Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, etc) have two year to go to class, play sports, etc & transfer & owe the govt nothing, but once you begin the 3rd year, you are locked into your service (unless you are kicked out of school).
“Kicked out of school” has a few connotations. If you’re referring to being dismissed for academic reasons and, that dismissal is before the start of the junior, or second class year, there is no further commitment for most. However, if there is still more than one year of service remaining for a cadet who was former enlisted personnel and is dismissed, the commitment must be fulfilled. If the dismissal occurs in the junior or senior year, there is a commitment for all that must be fulfilled in the enlisted ranks.
Roger Staubach (football) and David Robinson (basketball) graduated from the Naval Academy and served their two-year obligation before going to the pros.
Actually, Staubach served for four years on active duty with the Navy.
Good catch.
I always thought that the Harsin teams would have ranked much better if they had depth. It seemed that when a player was injured or sat out for a breather the quality of play really fell off. The elite schools are stacked at nearly every position. Players on the depth charts now have an opportunity to explore other programs for playing time. The Broncos have to find a sweet spot when offering scholarships to players in the portal. They don’t want to bring players in from high school only to have them lose playing time to someone who couldn’t make… Read more »
I think the tradition at Boise has always been the next man up mentality. The only position I feel like injuries have ever really hurt us were at key skills positions and those are inevitable for any team. Nobody has 2 or 3 RB 1’s lined up.
Except Boise State. Lol. Embarrassment of riches.
Oh, yeah. I was about to post, “This ain’t gonna happen.”
And the rich keep getting richer.
Next year gonna be interesting to say the least. Hell, the next 48 hours gonna be interesting. Danielson going full coach prime. Lol
I’ve never seen anything like this; as of a minute ago, the Broncos have 4 commits from the transfer portal. They are all from P5 schools. There is something else I noticed. It’s the small things, right? The things that seem unrelated but somehow mean a lot. I linked to the official Boise State football page. All the new commits are posted with photos. In the past that was not done until much later. Sometimes not until well into fall camp. I think that makes the recruits feel a part of the program immediately. I think that means a lot.… Read more »
Beyond Transfers, I curious as to how this new “Dating Situation” will work out with the Pac-2 for the next two years. Obviously, the smart money is on the MWC & Pac-12 (2) fully merging for 2026. The MWC media deal ends after 2025 & the Pac-12 must increase their members to 7 or more by July 1st, 2026 or fully dissolve. All eyes are on this Florida State – ACC situation. If they win, the ACC is screwed & so is the American Conference because the ACC will gut whatever talent is left (USF, Memphis, Tulane)….. & They might… Read more »
Also, with the Pac-12 gutted & the playoff expanding, I’m REALLY curious as to what is going to happen to the Pac-12 bowl partners like the Rose, Vegas, Sun, Alamo, Holiday, LA Bowl, etc. I’m sure the higher powers will quickly figure out something for the Rose Bowl, but the other conferences are contractually locked into other Bowl Games already have contracts with Vegas, Alamo, Holiday, Sun, etc so I would ponder that MAYBE the MWC might temporarily benefit from this & have better Bowl Game access in 2024 & 2025 so even if a MWC somehow gets left out… Read more »
BREAKING: #BoiseState goes back to the transfer portal and lands a 6-4, 265-pound defensive lineman with 40+ games of experience.
Former #BallState standout Tavion Woodard just announced he committed to the Broncos.
Looks like he and Coach Stockton were a package deal.
I hope we start seeing a couple of recruits from the Midwest in the next few years. There is some good talent who would like the Boise vibe. Boise is a clean city compared to what places like Muncie, South Bend, Toledo, Lansing, and other cities in Michigan and Ohio have to offer.
A story we have all overlooked was Jonah Dalmas staying for another year. There were plenty of games where he was the deciding factor. He’s not afraid to take out a runner the other 10 have failed to stop. He’s dependable and accurate. So why not go pro and cash in? There are a lot of good kickers in the NFL. If he tries out and has a bad day, he has nothing. He stays with the Broncos another year and he will likely pick up a little NIL money. I don’t think the choice is hard; NFL and nothing… Read more »
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