Roster changes reshape Boise State football’s 2026 identity

Written by Aidan Mattingly, Jake Zamora

To outsiders, the coming-and-going of Boise State football players in 2025, with some facing disciplinary action and others entering the transfer portal, could be seen as a sign of a turmoil-filled program. However, after a third consecutive conference title, it’s clear the program is far from that, and Jeremiah Dickey’s comments after the Mountain West Championship game are representative of the resilient, blue-collar mentality that the program carries despite roster changes. 

“To come into this season with high expectations, we had some peaks and valleys,” Dickey said. “But, you find out what you’re made of in the valley.”

The 2025 season has seen Boise State’s football roster change quickly and vastly, with numerous roster transactions quietly reshaping the team’s identity throughout the last month. 

College football has seen major roster movements this season, and Boise State has been one of the biggest winners despite losing commits and transfers. Recruits who once leaned toward Power Four schools are now choosing the Broncos, creating a boost of momentum after a year full of ups and downs.

One of the most notable commits is three-star quarterback Cash Herrera out of The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, California. Originally Big Ten bound, Herrera decommitted from Indiana in November to announce his commitment to Boise State on Dec. 2. Ranked as the nation’s No. 35 quarterback prospect, Herrera turned heads when he became the second 2026 recruit to flip from a Power Four school to Boise State. 

The first to do so was Madden Soliai. Flipping his commitment from UCLA, his decision speaks volumes to the program’s confidence that he can play a valuable role — and to his own desire to grow as a person off the field. Soliai, a three-star safety from Kahuku High School in Hawaii, was rated as the No. 8 2026 recruit in the state. 

Second three-star quarterback recruit, Jackson Taylor, hails from Thousand Oaks, Calif. Despite numerous Power Four offers, Taylor committed to Boise in June and signed with the Broncos on Early National Signing Day. 

“Praise Jesus!” Taylor said in an Instagram post announcing his commitment. “God is working in special ways in Bronco country.” 

In recruiting, Boise State targets players who show strong character and buy into long-term development both on and off the field. For Danielson, being certain that their recruits love football, carry a strong work ethic and put the team before themselves is a top priority. 

“Yes, there’s a lot of talent in this group, but more importantly, I believe all of their ceilings are really high because of their character,” Danielson said about the team’s 2026 recruiting class. “The three biggest things we wanted with this class was, one, to know they love football, secondly, no one is going to out-work them, and thirdly, [they are] all about the team.”

Even with the momentum from this class, the Broncos still have to navigate the challenges of players leaving the program. The roster losses tell the other side of the story.

Over the summer, four-star quarterback prospect Bryson Beaver flipped from Boise State after receiving an offer from Oregon. The 6’2” gun-slinger signed with the Ducks shortly thereafter, poaching the Broncos out of one of their top 2026 commits. 

Fellow quarterback Tradon Bessinger flipped his commitment from Boise State to Iowa and signed with the Hawkeyes in early December. A four-star recruit, his and Beaver’s decisions forced the Broncos to ramp up their search for valuable pieces at the quarterback position.

Recruiting and Personnel Intern Dominic Iglesias explained how the staff responds to de-committments by leaning into a Group of Five mindset — one built on a next-man-up mentality. He said that the approach mirrors the way players inside the locker room adjust when someone goes down with an injury or isn’t performing. Instead of panicking when a recruit flips, the staff turns to the next option on their board and keeps it moving.

“We just try to dig deep to find guys and not always trust [recruiting websites],” Iglesias said, noting how certain recruitment media companies put players on pedestals who really shouldn’t be. “There are about 20 of us in the player personnel group, and they’re all mind-blowingly smart. The players that we are able to get haven’t been seen by anybody, but turn out to be stars.”

Earlier this year, several key Broncos entered the transfer portal to pursue new opportunities and seek a better fit in another program. 

Junior running back Breezy Dubar recently announced he would enter the transfer portal at the close of the season. His exit took away a physical runner who added size and speed to the backfield and was expected to compete for more carries moving forward.

Standout linebacker Andrew Simpson entered the portal and committed to Bill Belichick and UNC in May. One of the biggest impact players on defense for the Broncos, Simpson was a highly-rated high school player, playing for St. John Bosco in California, often ranked among the top three high school teams in the country. 

Former five-star quarterback recruit Malachi Nelson, who spent just one season at Boise State, entered the transfer portal after the end of last season after a year in which he saw very little playing time. Nelson eventually landed at UTEP where he won the starting job to open the year but was benched later in the season for poor play. 

Punter James Ferguson-Reynolds entered the portal and transferred to Oregon in May. A native of Geelong, Australia, Ferguson-Reynolds has been one of the better punters in the country the past three seasons, being named a third-team All-American in 2023. 

Iglesias described the adjustments Boise State’s recruiting staff has made as Name, Image and Likeness continues to reshape college football.

“Obviously, in the NIL world, these Power Four schools can offer players a lot more than Boise State can,” Iglesias said. “We retain the guys we can, and we do a really good job at that for the resources we have. Showing the coaches you want to be there and grow as a player is something really important in the program.”

These transfers created immediate gaps and forced the Broncos to strategize how they replace experience at key positions.

The dismissal of Davon Banks brought even more change. The coaching staff pulled him from the team in mid-November due to disciplinary reasons, and the move made it clear that Boise State will hold standards no matter what the roster looks like.

“We have high standards to be here and how players interact with coaches and players matters,” Head Coach Spencer Danielson said. “We wish him nothing but the best. I love him, but he’s no longer going to be part of the team.”

Boise State’s early signing class, finalized on Dec. 3, brought in 29 new additions to help settle some uncertainty after a season filled with transfers, decommits, and injuries. These additions highlight how the Broncos will fill in the depth chart and shape the roster for seasons to come.

On defense, lineman Deuce Alialfaleuila and cornerback Jacob Arbuckle II headline the group. Both were highly productive in high school and arrived at positions in the depth chart where Boise State needs help. The Broncos also strengthened the edge and safety spots with Corey Webb Jr. and Beckham Hofland.

Offensively, the staff added tight end Keawe Browne, wide receiver Terrious Favors and running back Keilan Chavies — all players who bring speed and athleticism. 

The Broncos experienced lots of fluctuation throughout this year, but the new recruiting class can be viewed as the start of a steadier foundation and a clearer direction for where the program is heading next. While the team does recruit certain junior college and transfer portal players, Danielson emphasizes the significance of developing high school players, as opposed to JuCos or transfers, into not only good football players but good men. 

“We want to be the best in the country at developing young men, not just for football, we’re talking life too,” Danielson said. “Our recruiting staff did a phenomenal job, and I love the group of men that are coming here. Their families believe in what we’re doing here, and the future is really bright.”