Boise State Football: A Way Too Early Projection of the 2020 Depth Chart
The defending Mountain West champions will have to reload after another banner year. Here’s how we think the Broncos might do so.
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An early guess as to what the Broncos will look like in 2020.
Folks, its almost February and that means it is time to start getting ready for the 2020 Boise State Broncos football season. The way, way too early depth chart is a yearly tradition for us here at Mountain West Wire where we make inferences about who we might see on the field well before spring camp is under way.
For a look back, here are our previous attempts at a way too early Bronco depth chart: 2019, 2018 defense, and 2018 offense
Unlike last year, we did not have major disputes at QB1 or RB1 but disagreed on a few other crucial positions and did vary considerably on how we saw the second string playing out.
Please note that the three of us do not have any insider information and are basing these depth charts purely on our fanatical obsession with Bronco football. Additionally, the signing and transfer periods have not finished, so there may be many changes between what we predict now and where the depth chart stands on September 5th when Boise State takes the field versus Georgia Southern.
Returning starters from 2019 are italicized.
Offense
Quarterback
QB1: Hank Bachmeier, Soph.
QB2: Chase Cord, RS Jr.
QB3: Cade Fennegan, Fr.
Others Considered: Zach Matlock, RS Soph.; Riley Smith, RS Soph.
Analysis: While the Broncos do lose interim starter Jaylon Henderson and his extremely efficient 1,080 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, Boise State does return starter Hank Bachmeier. Bachmeier had a terrific freshman year with 1,879 yards and nine touchdowns against six interceptions. Chase Cord also put up good numbers, as well, though he is dealing with a shoulder injury this offseason.
Confidence: Very high. While there may be some concern with the lack of a proven third-string quarterback, Boise State fans should feel very good with Bachmeier back at the helm and Cord as his backup. If Bachmeier can work with his offensive line to learn how to take less hits, Hank has all the tools to put up record breaking stats in 2020.
Running back
RB1: George Holani, Soph.
RB2: Robert Mahone, RS Sr.
RB3: Andrew Van Buren, Jr.
Others Considered: Danny Smith, RS Soph.
Analysis: Holani kept Boise State’s 1,000-yard runner streak alive by getting more and more carries as the year went along last season. Like Bachmeier, Holani was a true freshman and we should expect him to only improve in his sophomore campaign. Mahone dealt with injuries late in the 2019 campaign, but he still had 501 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns, including a tremendous performance in the first game of the year at Florida State, where he racked up 169 total yards and two touchdowns. Van Buren, meanwhile, showed growth in his sophomore campaign.
Confidence: Extremely high. Holani appears to be on his way to following Jay Ajayi, Jeremy McNichols, and Alexander Mattison’s path to NFL stardom. If he can stay healthy, he should notch another 1,000 yard rushing year and work his way onto an all-conference team. Mahone, Van Buren, and Smith should be able to handle the load as reserves behind Holani.
Wide receiver
WR1 (X): Khalil Shakir, Jr.
WR2 (X): Stefan Cobbs, RS Soph.
WR1 (H): CT Thomas, Sr.
WR2 (H): Billy Bowens, RS Soph.
WR1 (Z): Octavius Evans, Sr.
WR2 (Z): Khyheem Waleed, RS Fr.
Others Considered: Shea Whiting, RS Fr.; LaTrell Caples, Fr.
Analysis: John Hightower, Shakir, and Thomas racked up 2,337 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in 2019. While Hightower has graduated and is likely off to the NFL, Shakir has all the talent to step into the star wide receiver role. Evans also chipped in 211 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Confidence: Absurdly high. Shakir is a superstar and he is going to prove it in 2020. Hightower’s loss does hurt, but the Broncos have recruited this position extremely well. Shakir, Thomas, Evans, and Cobbs will likely all contribute, but expect another younger wide receiver to break through and show flashes of future stardom. This is likely the Broncos’ greatest position of strength.
Tight end
TE1: John Bates, RS Sr.
TE2: Tyneil Hopper, RS Soph.
TE3: Cole Ramseyer, RS Soph.
Others Considered: Riley Smith, RS Soph.; Kaden Deluna, RS Soph.
Analysis: John Bates was listed at TE1 for most of 2019 and led the team in receptions from the position in 2019. He returns in 2020. The Broncos use the tight end position in a very versatile manner and departed senior Garret Collingham was the all-purpose tight end while Matt Pistone was the fullback/tight end hybrid. Hopper was a highly touted recruit, but played only sparingly in 2019.
Confidence: Feel alright. Bates is a huge target and had 22 catches in 2019. He will continue to be a great safety weapon for Bachmeier and Cord. I do expect Hopper to take a step forward as the more experienced players above him on the depth chart have left. It will be interesting to see how the Broncos fill the Pistone blocking role, but there is some talent at this position. Smith was a quarterback who moved over to the tight end spot in the middle of last season.
Offensive line
LT1: John Ojukwu, RS Jr.
LT2: Nick Crabtree, RS Sr.
LG1: Jake Stetz, RS Sr.
LG2: Ben Dooley, RS Fr.
C1: Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez, RS Soph.
C2: Donte Harrington, RS Sr.
RG1: Donte Harrington, RS Sr.
RG2: Riden Leong, Jr.
RT1: Garret Curran, RS Soph.
RT2: Kole Bailey, RS Sr.
Others Considered: Dallas Holiday, RS Soph.; Jacob Golden, RS Fr.; Keegan Ulrich, RS Soph.; Brandon Hernandez, Fr.
Analysis: The offensive line was an area of much concern in 2019 as highlights of Bachmeier getting hit dominated the early season. Much of this can be blamed on Bachmeier’s youth since the line improved tremendously under both Cord and Henderson. The unit also did well in opening holes for the run game. Left tackle Ezra Cleveland departs Boise State after his junior to enter the NFL draft and the Broncos only return one starter on the offensive line from 2019.
Confidence: Guarded optimism. The line had some issues in 2019 but was statistically solid. Ojukwu is a known commodity and is a solid player. Stetz and KHG both got playing time last year and Harrington was a solid starter in 2018 before missing 2019 due to injury. Many of 2019’s struggles may get fixed with Bachmeier’s continued development and coaching. The staff at Boise State will likely make improved offensive line play a priority heading into 2020.
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.
