The Boise State Broncos currently have 14 hard commits for the 2024 recruiting class.
That class officially represents the final group of players head coach Andy Avalos recruited to the Blue Turf. The former Broncos linebacker and assistant was fired on Sunday.
With Avalos no longer holding the title of head coach and BSU soon to launch a national search for its next leader, this abrupt coaching change surely will have an impact on recruiting. Will that soon mean decommitments and an aggressive charge at players in the transfer portal?
Boise State Recruiting Following Andy Avalos Firing
So far, Broncos fans who follow recruiting will welcome a sigh of relief courtesy of Dylan Riley.
The three-star from Rancho Verde High in Moreno Valley told Greg Biggins of 247Sports that he remains committed to BSU.
“I really like it at Boise State and hopefully everything works out,” Riley said to Biggins on Sunday. “I hope when they bring in a new coach, he doesn’t get rid of the whole staff and bring in a lot of new guys.”
Riley, however, understands that he has no complete control over who Boise State brings in next.
“I get it though, I know a new head coach wants to bring in his guys. It’s tough for me because I really can’t go somewhere with a staff and coaches that I don’t know,” Riley said.
Still, the back who rumbled for 1,852 yards and 27 touchdowns says he likes the school. He’s hopeful something will work out.
MORE: Top Five Candidates To Replace Andy Avalos
That’s one out of the 14 verbal commitments who remain on the solid side with Boise State despite the coaching change. What else could transpire?
Who Could be Swayed by Other Schools With Avalos Fired
In the era of the transfer portal and with the early signing period a month away, a lot can still happen recruiting-wise. And that includes the next guy head coach in Boise deciding who to aggressively court to the Blue Turf, or who is worth re-courting.
For starters, the next leader has a defensive back being pursued by another nearby university.
Also via Biggins, Mission Viejo defensive back Treyvon Tolmaire said he’s still on board with BSU. He even heard from the director of recruiting, Kyle Young, after the firing was official. However, he added that Washington State offered him Sunday.
But there are other recruits to account for, too. Notably, the state’s No. 1 recruit is currently committed to BSU.
Wide receiver Gatlin Bair out of Burley has been committed to the Broncos since Aug. 5. However, his X (formerly known as Twitter) byline noticeably has no mention of Boise State. That’s usually a sign that there’s a potential falling out. And, the 6’2″ Bair holds Michigan, Oregon, and Alabama offers. All three offered Bair before he decided to stay home.
With the coaching change, perhaps one or all three will reignite its pursuit of Bair. There’s also this to bear in mind (pun somewhat intended): Bair is expected to go on a LDS mission for two years, then become eligible to play in 2026. The next BSU head coach can win over Broncos fans by aggressively keeping Bair in town.
Outside linebacker commit Clay Martineau is another who doesn’t list Boise State in his X byline, but he does have it listed on his Instagram account. Martineau took an official visit to the campus on Oct. 9. Martineau shared a linebacker connection with Avalos, which made his commitment come off as a no-brainer.
For now, he’s another worth keeping an eye on.
Then there’s Kaleb Annett to monitor. The lone quarterback commit for this class likely saw the frustration and confusion coming out of BSU, as the team was trying to roll with two quarterbacks — Taylen Green and Maddux Madsen. Annett did post a BSU-themed graphic on his X account on Nov. 10 before the firing, which is a good indicator that he’s still interested in being a Bronco.
MORE: CFB Coaching Carousel
However, a big key in keeping him is rolling out a more stable plan for the QB position and if it does include him.
One more prospect who bears watching is Connor Warkentin out of Centennial High in Bakersfield. He was a prized recruiting coup out of the Central Valley of California as Avalos got him to commit over rival Fresno State over the summer.
Ultimately, Avalos’ firing could end up persuading the Bulldogs to make a new attempt to sway Warkentin. The fact Fresno State only has one edge rusher commitment could give them and Warkentin even more reason to talk.
Does the Transfer Portal Have to Be a Major Emphasis for Next BSU Leader?
The short answer to that is, as of November 12: no.
But again, coaching changes lead to movers and shakers for both rosters and incoming recruiting classes. The portal will still be worth scrutinizing if BSU pivots to plucking talent from there.
There’s already one notable name who entered following his own abrupt coaching change: Texas A&M WR Raymond Cottrell, who placed his name in the portal after watching Jimbo Fisher get canned. With Eric McAlister gone from Boise, perhaps the Broncos can aim to lure Cottrell in. Again, it’s dependent on who BSU lures in.
The junior college ranks are one not to be forgotten either. Half of the nation’s top-20 JUCO prospects, per 247Sports, remain unsigned. The JC realm is perfect for rebuilding rosters and was always a go-to before the portal. With some unsigned talent, it won’t be a shock if BSU ramps up its efforts in tackling JUCO recruiting.
Boise State will either see the same verbal commits after both recruiting signing periods end or witness drastic changes post Avalos. This is already shaping up to become the most crucial recruiting class in years for the Broncos.
Whoever the next leader is, fans will look at the 2024 group as the one that either reignited the Blue Turf or furthered buried the state of the program — no in-between.