Defense
Defensive Line
DE1: Jabari Watson, RS Sr.
DE2: Dylan Hall, RS Fr.
NT1: Scale Igiehon, Jr.
NT2: Emmanual Fesili, RS Sr.
DT1: Scott Matlock, RS Soph.
DT2: Jackson Cravens, RS Soph.
STUD1: Demetri Washington, RS Soph.
STUD2: Sam Whitney, RS Sr.
Others Considered: Aisa Clemente, RS Jr.; Keegan Freeborn, RS Soph.; and Divine Obichere, Jr.
Analysis: Like the offensive line, the defensive side of the trenches must replace a lot of talent in 2020. All four starters have moved on including all-world talent Curtis Weaver, who will enter the NFL draft. Still, there is talent here. Washington had 4.5 sacks in 2019 and Igiehon has played well the last two years in a reserve role.
Confidence: It will be alright. Yes, there will be a drop off. That is generally what happens when you lose an all-time talent like Weaver. David Moa, Sonatane Lui, and Chase Hatada were quite talented for Boise State, as well. I do believe that Washington, Watson, Hall, Matlock and others will rise to the challenge. The Broncos have traditionally had a strong defensive line and while 2020 might not have the strength that the last few years had, it will still be a solid unit.
Linebacker
WLB1: Riley Whimpey, Sr.
MLB1: Ezekiel Noa, RS Jr.
NB1 (Nickel): Kekaula Kaniho Jr., Sr.
WLB2: Brandon Hawkins, RS Soph.
MLB2: Benton Wickersham, Sr.
NB2: Tyreque Jones, Rs Jr.
Others Considered: Bruno DeRose, RS Sr.; Roman Kafentzis, RS Jr.
Editor’s note: North Carolina State linebacker Brock Miller announced his intent to transfer to Boise State in the middle of constructing this depth chart, so it remains to be seen how much of a role he will be able to carve out for himself.
Analysis: Whimpey was an unsung hero in 2019 while Kaniho got tremendous praise, rightfully so, for his all over the field play. Whimpey led the team with 80 tackles while Kaniho had 61 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception. When Noa went down with injury, Wickersham filled the gap in the middle and the Bronco defense continued their strong play. This was a position where depth was tested in 2019, but the unit performed well as a group.
Confidence: High. We get four starters for the price of three. Noa is back and will likely regain his starting position while Wickersham will be still be around for depth. The reserves being tested last year should only strengthen this unit for 2020. Like the defensive line, there may not be superstars here but the sum is greater than the parts.
Defensive backfield
CB1: Jalen Walker, RS Sr.
CB1: Avery Williams, RS Sr.
CB2: Markel Reed, Soph.
CB2: Tyric LeBeauf, RS Soph.
FS1: DeAndre Pierce, RS Sr.
FS2: Jordan Happle, RS Sr.
SS1: JL Skinner, Soph.
SS2: Tyreque Jones, RS Jr.
Others Considered: Chris Mitchell, RS Soph.; Donovan Clark, Fr.; Semaj Verner, Fr.
Editor’s note: Juco transfer Jonathan Earl, a late addition to the Broncos’ 2020 recruiting class, could also factor into the depth chart at some point.
Analysis: Veteran all-conference starter Kekoa Nawahine is gone, but the other three starters return. DeAndre Pierce again missed several games in 2019 like he did in 2018, but this pressed the younger players into action. Walker had a breakout year and firmly took over the CB1 spot by the season’s end, while true freshman Reed showed flashes of future greatness.
Confidence: Should be solid. Williams is a decent cover corner and he may find himself in the nickel corner role, which he may be better suited for, with the rise of Reed. If Pierce can stay healthy, this should be a good unit with Walker opposite to Williams/Reed. With both Nawahine and Pierce missing time in 2019, the coaching staff was able to try out several of their younger players in both safety positions. There is another position with talent on the depth chart.
Special Teams
PK1: Joel Velasquez, RS Sr.
PK2: Ryan Meyer, RS Soph.
P1: Gavin Wale, RS Fr.
P2: Joel Velasquez, RS Sr.
Kickoff: Joel Velasquez, RS Sr.
Long Snapper: Daniel Cantrell, RS Jr.
Holder: Kekaula Kaniho Jr., Sr.
KR1: Khalil Shakir, Jr.
KR1: Avery Williams, RS Sr.
KR2: George Holani, Soph.
KR2: Stefan Cobbs, RS Soph.
PR1: Avery Williams, RS Sr.
PR2: Khalil Shakir, Jr.
Analysis: Eric Sachse was a graduate transfer and had a great year as the starting place kicker in 2019. He has moved on. Velasquez showed a tremendous leg on kickoffs and long field goal attempts beyond Sachse’s range and did well in that role, but he did not do so well as the starting punter. Wale redshirted the entire 2019 season and did not attempt a punt even when Velasquez was struggling.
Williams is a superstar returner. While Hightower was his wingman in 2019 in returning kicks, Holani and Shakir both played in that role, as well. Williams did take two punts back to the end zone in 2019.
Confidence: Kicking and punting… is a little bit of worry while kick and punt returning should be fantastic. Last year, the Broncos did not bring in an additional kicker until the summer. While Boise State might not hit another home run like landing Sachse, they should be able to bring in another competent kicker to compete with Velasquez. Williams, along with Shakir, should be among the best returners in the conference.
Boise State did win the Mountain West Conference in 2019 and finished with a 12-2 record to once again finish in the AP Top 25. The Broncos will have their goals set high in 2020 and this initial look at the depth chart gives me the optimism that this team will have the talent to reach those heights once again and possibly exceed them.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]
[protected-iframe id=”a91365fa8364d5918c7afbfd61fa3801-97672683-123448869″ info=”cdn-images.mailchimp.com/embedcode/horizontal-slim-10_7.css” ]
[protected-iframe id=”a4765d451d4d2134c802175f6a037fca-97672683-123448869″ info=”//percolate.blogtalkradio.com/offsiteplayer?hostId=671539″ width=”100%” height=”550px” frameborder=”0″]