After losing in the Mountain West Conference title game to Fresno State, the Boise State Broncos have their sights on retaking the conference. They finished the 2022 season with a 10-4 record, winning the Frisco Bowl against North Texas 35-32. With so many weapons on offense coming back, Boise State should have the players to improve from last season.
Boise State Broncos Top 10 Returners in 2023
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal area. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
1) George Holani, RB
The Mountain West Conference’s best running back is back for his final season at Boise State, as George Holani has a chance to add to his collegiate legacy. Last season, Holani played in 13 games, rushing for 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns, both of which are career highs for the senior running back.
He has helped his case, as many college football outlets have Holani as a Preseason First-Team All-Mountain West selection for the 2023 season.
Injuries have held Holani back from reaching his full potential, but there is no denying that he is a hard man to tackle when the ball is in his hands. He will have support from fellow running back Ashton Jeanty, as the two form the best running back duo in the conference.
As long as Holani stays healthy, he should have another career season and cement himself as the best back in the Mountain West.
MORE: Mountain West RB Rankings, 2023
2) Cade Beresford, LT
After four seasons playing right guard for Washington State, Cade Beresford began his first season at Boise State as their starting right tackle. He started 13 games with the team, which helped him land a spot on the All-Mountain West Second Team.
The strength of Beresford’s game is his pass blocking, as he does it better than any offensive lineman in the conference. All signs are pointing toward Beresford making a move to the left side as left tackle to protect quarterback Taylen Green’s blind side.
The transition should help give Green time in the pocket and empower Beresford to show scouts how he could be a sleeper pick for the NFL.
3) DJ Schramm, LB
Boise State’s most important defender is back at linebacker for the Broncos, as DJ Schramm dominated the Mountain West in 2022. Last season, he led the team in total tackles (107) and tackles for loss (11.5), while also adding one forced fumble and a half sack. Schramm was able to earn Second Team All-Mountain West honors in 2022.
If there is a ball carrier, it’s safe to assume Schramm is going to be there to make the tackle. He has great instincts and wraps up players with the best of them. The conference has been put on notice with Schramm and how he played last season.
With Boise State’s offense getting all the attention in 2023, Schramm gives the defense enough to keep up with their 2022 performance, which saw them rank fifth in the country in total defense (292.5).
4) Taylen Green, QB
The Broncos saw a new signal-caller in 2022, with Taylen Green taking over at quarterback and showing the Boise State fans that there is something special brewing. In 2022, Green threw for 2,042 yards with 14 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. He also ran for 586 yards and 10 touchdowns, including a 91-yard touchdown run.
His performance helped him win Mountain West Freshman Player of the Year for the 2022 season.
Some are comparing Green to former Texas Longhorns quarterback Vince Young in terms of how he plays. It’s hard not to see what makes Green’s potential so exciting, as he is a dangerous player out of the pocket and has a rocket for an arm.
His accuracy should only get better, and if he can add that element to his game, the possibilities are endless for the future of the Mountain West Conference and college football.
5) Ashton Jeanty, RB
Holani is not the only running back who impressed in 2022, as Ashton Jeanty exploded onto the scene in his freshman season with the team. Jeanty ended up rushing for 821 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging over five yards per carry. The conference acknowledged his performance with an honorable mention for the All-Mountain West team last year.
Jeanty can make plays on the ground and serves as a great one-two punch with Holani. There is potential that the team could see two 1,000-yard rushers this season, given how good each back is. While Jeanty will be the backup this season, the sophomore will still show up and prepare to be the top back next season.
6) Demitri Washington, EDGE
One of Boise State’s top pass rushers is entering his senior season with the Broncos, as edge rusher Demitri Washington is looking for another career season. Last year, Washington tied for the team lead in sacks (4.5), while also recording 35 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss.
Thanks to his performance last season, he has been mentioned in multiple outlets for second or third-team All-Mountain West Preseason lists.
Washington’s shoulder injury last season kept him out of four games, required offseason surgery, and prevented him from taking snaps in the Spring. Boise State needs him to stay healthy and be that top pass rusher they need him to be. He’s got the potential to shatter his career highs and should be seen as one of Boise State’s most important defensive players.
7) Latrell Caples, WR
The Broncos were not known as a top passing team last season, but wide receiver Latrell Caples appeared to be a playmaker for Boise State heading into 2023. Caples was the leading receiver for the Broncos last year, catching 51 balls for 549 yards and four touchdowns, which led all players on the team.
His name has been included on All-Mountain West teams in the preseason for 2023.
While Caples is a top receiver, he is also dangerous on special teams as he is considered one of the best punt returners in the conference. Green will be looking for him in the passing game and he could be a big difference-maker on offense and special teams for Boise State.
8) Mason Randolph, RT
Three starting offensive linemen are back for Boise State this season, with one of them being sophomore right tackle Mason Randolph. He started 10 games last season for the Broncos, and he never allowed a sack during his freshman season.
Like Beresford, Randolph is a strong pass blocker while helping lead one of the best rushing attacks in the Mountain West. He’s expected to be the future for Boise State and could be next in line at left tackle once Beresford leaves school.
Randolph will be linked to Green and Jeanty as young offensive players with big futures in the program.
9) Stefan Cobbs, WR
While Caples gets the attention as the top playmaker at receiver, Stefan Cobbs is a reliable receiver who is entering his sixth and final season with Boise State. Last year for the Broncos, Cobbs recorded 29 receptions for 396 yards and two touchdowns.
With Green progressing as a starting quarterback, the passing game should take another step forward, leading to bigger numbers. Cobbs is a solid receiver who doesn’t drop many passes. With him and Caples, they form a strong receiving duo.
MORE: Mountain West WR Rankings, 2023
10) Riley Smith, TE
Young quarterbacks’ best friends are always the tight ends, and senior tight end Riley Smith could benefit from that. Smith had the best season of his career in 2022, catching 25 passes for 214 yards and a touchdown, all of which were career highs.
Smith got more involved in the offense than he had been in the previous three seasons with the Broncos. He showed that he could make plays in the passing game and help the running back in the run-blocking game.
His pass-catching ability should be even more evident in 2023 as Green makes strides in throwing the football. Smith has strong hands and should make it known that he is one of the more underrated tight ends in the Mountain West and the country.