Boise State football has produced an immense amount of NFL talent, with 31 Broncos getting drafted since the 2009 draft. Boise State looks to add many more in the coming years under Head Coach Spencer Danielson.
These Broncos were stars on the blue, helping the Boise State program become one of the most successful in the country (fifth highest win percentage at the Division I level).
Eleven former Broncos will represent Boise State in the NFL this Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. Here’s who to look out for:
Brett Rypien: Minnesota Vikings
Rypien started on the blue from 2015-2018 as quarterback. Through his time at Boise State, he received numerous titles such as two time Walter Camp Award Watch List, three time Davey O’Brien Award Watch List, three time Maxwell Award Watch List, three time All-Mountain West First Team, two time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week and more.
Rypien signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie in 2019 and stayed for four seasons. He then spent an offseason with the Los Angeles Rams (2023), Seattle Seahawks (2023), New York Jets (2023) and Chicago Bears (2024). Rypien is now playing his sixth NFL season with the Minnesota Vikings.
Rypien did not play in Minnesota’s 30-20 loss against the Los Angeles Rams last week.
The Vikings will take on the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday at 6:20 p.m.
Avery Williams: Atlanta Falcons
Williams redshirted his first year with the Broncos and started the next four seasons as running back (2016-2020). Williams earned five time Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week, four time All-Mountain West First Team, two time Paul Hornung Award Preseason Watch List and Burlsworth Trophy Nominee.
The Atlanta Falcons selected Williams in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Last week Williams tied for the team-high with 21 special teams snaps. He had a 14-yard punt return to set up an Atlanta scoring drive. The Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-26, placing them atop the NFC South standings.
Williams faces off against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at 11 a.m.
Ezra Cleveland: Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland redshirted his freshman season at Boise State in 2016 and played with the Broncos until 2019. In his three years starting on the blue, Cleveland earned two time All-Mountain West First Team, All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and two time Academic All-Mountain West.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Cleveland in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2023 the Vikings traded Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
As offensive lineman, Cleveland played 39 total snaps for the Jaguars, who totaled 390 yards of offense. Jacksonville lost to the Green Bay Packers, 30-27.
Next Cleveland competes against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at 2:05p.m.
Cedrick Wilson Jr.: New Orleans Saints
Wilson spent his first two years playing football at Coffeyville Community College and transferred to Boise State to play for the 2016 and 2017 season. The wide receiver was named to the Biletnikoff and Paul Hornung Award Watch List.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Wilson in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. After six seasons with the Cowboys, Wilson transferred to the Miami Dolphins for the 2022-2023 season and now plays for the New Orleans Saints.
Last week, Wilson Jr. was not active for the Saints and New Orleans lost to the Los Angeles Chargers, 26-8.
This Sunday at 11 a.m. the Saints face the Carolina Panthers.
Scott Matlock: Los Angeles Chargers
Matlock redshirted his freshman year at Boise State and started the next four years as defensive tackle (2018-2022). Matlock was named two time All-Mountain West Second Team, All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and added to the Bednarik and Outland Trophy Award Watch List.
In round six of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected Matlock.
Last weekend Matlock successfully contributed to both sides of the ball, recording his first-career sack and catching a 9-yard pass. The Chargers beat the New Orleans Saints, 26-8.
This Sunday at 11 a.m. Matlock and the Chargers compete against the Cleveland Browns.
Khalil Shakir: Buffalo Bills
The wide receiver played at Boise State from 2018-2021 where he earned two time All-Mountain West First Team, Reese’s Senior Bowl Invitee, PFF Preseason Third Team All-American and more.
The Buffalo Bills selected Shakir in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Last week Shakir hit a career-high nine catches, totaling 107 yards. He picked up a pair of first downs, including a 35-yard reception to set up a Buffalo field goal. The Bills defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 31-10.
Look out for Shakir this Sunday as the Buffalo Bills take on the Miami Dolphins at 11 a.m.
Alexander Mattison: Las Vegas Raiders
Mattison played in every game at Boise State from 2016-2018 as running back. He received numerous titles during these three years such as All-Mountain West First Team, All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and Doak Walker Award Watch List.
Mattison left the Broncos senior year when the Minnesota Vikings selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft. After five seasons with the Vikings, Mattison signed with the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2024 season.
Last week Mattison started as running back with the Raiders, totaling 44 yards from scrimmage in a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
This Sunday at 11 a.m. the Raiders compete against the Cincinnati Bengals.
JL Skinner: Denver Broncos
Skinner spent four years (2019-2022) with the Boise State Broncos as a safety. He was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, All-Mountain West First Team and Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week.
In 2023 the Denver Broncos selected Skinner in the sixth round of the NFL Draft.
Last week Skinner played 18 special teams snaps, downing a punt at the 1-yard line. Denver defeated the Carolina Panthers, 28-14.
Next, Skinner and the Denver Broncos play the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday at 11 a.m.
John Bates and Jeremy McNichols: Washington Commanders
Bates spent five years with the Broncos (redshirted first season) from 2016-2020. The tight end received two time All-Mountain West Honorable Mention and three time John Mackey Award Watch List.
In 2021, the Washington Commanders selected Bates in the fourth round of the NFL Draft.
McNichols spent 2014-2016 playing at Boise State where he earned countless awards: five time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, two time All-Mountain West Second Team and Maxwell Award Watch List and Doak Walker Award Semifinalist.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected McNichols in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. McNichols hopped around many teams: San Francisco 49ers (2017 and 2023), Indianapolis Colts (2018), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020-2021) and currently plays for the Washington Commanders.
Last week Bates had a season-long 20-yard reception while McNichols made a special teams tackle and recorded a 23-yard kick return. The Commanders defeated the Chicago Bears on a Hail Mary, winning 18-15.
This Sunday at 11 a.m. Bates and McNichols take on the New York Giants.
John Ojukwu: Tennessee Titans
Ojukwu redshirted his first year at Boise State, spending a total of six years with the Broncos (2017-2022). From sophomore year on, Ojukwu started in every game as an offensive lineman earning two time All-Mountain West First Team, All-Mountain West Second Team and NFL Players Association (NFLPA) Collegiate Bowl Invitee.
Following the 2023 NFL Draft, the Titans signed Ojukwu as a rookie free agent. He started the final three games of his rookie season at tight end.
Last weekend Ojukwu returned from the practice squad and played 29 snaps at right tackle for the Titans. Tennessee lost to the Detroit Lions, 52-14.
The Titans play the New England Patriots this Sunday at 11 a.m.
