LEON MCFADDEN, CORNERBACK

McFadden turned down scholarship offers from Washington, Washington State and BYU in part because San Diego State wanted him to play wide receiver. “I wanted to be scoring touchdowns,” he said. “I wanted to be part of the hype.”

He’s doing both of those things — but he’s doing them at cornerback, after all. He switched positions two weeks into his first fall camp, started six games as a true freshman in 2009 and has developed into one of the Mountain West’s best players. He was named the preseason defensive player of the year.

“He’s very talented, very tough, very instinctual,” Boise State wide receiver Matt Miller said. “I think it has to do with his film study — how he breaks on those routes and how he plays the receiver, it’s pretty cool to watch. ... We’re always going to have to know where he’s at, be very smart with what we do with our routes and not give him any tips early in our routes.”

McFadden ranks second in the Mountain West in passes defended with three interceptions (two for touchdowns) and nine pass breakups. He has eight interceptions and 36 pass breakups in his career.

“He’s made a lot of our receivers and myself better,” San Diego State quarterback Adam Dingwell said. “He’s got a nose for the ball, and he’s very physical for a corner.”

GAVIN ESCOBAR, TIGHT END

The 6-foot-6, 255-pound junior is the Aztecs’ leading receiver — and he’s a playmaker, too. He has 30 catches for 425 yards and five touchdowns with an average of 14.2 yards per grab.

Last year, Escobar made 51 catches for 780 yards (15.3 average) and seven TDs to earn All-Mountain West honors. He burned Boise State for eight catches, 113 yards and two TDs.

“Great hands — he can catch,” Boise State cornerback Jamar Taylor said. “He can go over defenders. Deep balls, short balls, breaks tackles — he’s all-around probably one of the best tight ends we’ll face all year.”

ADAM DINGWELL, QUARTERBACK

The sophomore will make his second college start. He replaced the injured Ryan Katz in the first quarter two weeks ago at Nevada, led the upset victory and made his first start in last week’s win against UNLV.

He has produced the same efficient passing attack as Katz.

“It’s almost like the same guy,” Boise State linebackers coach Bob Gregory said. “… I don’t think they fall off at all with the new guy.”