Boise State football releases first depth chart of 2019 season; injury updates
Robert Mahone wasn’t academically eligible to play in Boise State’s bowl game last season.
But football coach Bryan Harsin lauded the redshirt junior running back for his effort in the classroom on Monday — the same day it was announced Mahone (5-foot-10, 218 pounds) would be the Broncos’ starter for the season opener against Florida State (5 p.m. MT Saturday, ESPN). Sophomore Andrew Van Buren (6-0, 223) and true freshman George Holani (5-11, 192) were listed as backups at tailback.
“Football’s awesome and I want to see him go out there and perform and do well at practice, but I like to see guys overcome some adversity,” Harsin said. “We don’t see that enough from people, and young people when there’s a little bit of a challenge you can fold your tent or you can step up and get better, and that’s exactly what he’s done.”
Boise State released its first depth chart of the 2019 season Monday morning. As previously announced, true freshman Hank Bachmeier will get the start at quarterback for the Broncos.
In the Broncos’ deep receiving room, senior John Hightower, junior CT Thomas/sophomore Khalil Shakir and senior Akilian Butler are listed as starters followed by junior Octavius Evans, redshirt freshman Stefan Cobbs and redshirt freshman Billy Bowens.
While both are still coming back from injuries, sixth-year senior defensive tackle David Moa (Achilles) and junior weakside linebacker Riley Whimpey (ACL) were listed as starters. Harsin said both players have gone above and beyond to be ready in time for Saturday’s opener against the Seminoles in Jacksonville, Florida.
“You’re talking about David Moa who’s a captain. You’re talking about Riley Whimpey who’s as high character of any player we’ve ever had here,” Harsin said. “They’re going to do it. They want to be out there with their team. All that matters to them is that they get to go out there and contribute to help their teammates out.”
Also of note on defense: True freshman JL Skinner (6-4, 213) earned a backup spot at safety behind senior Kekoa Nawahine, and junior Jalen Walker will step into a starting role at cornerback.
“He looks you right in the eye, and you can coach him up,” Harsin said of Skinner. “He’ll nod his head, now whether it’s perfect or not the next time, he’s paying attention and very rarely has he made the same mistake twice.
“... It’s just uncommon, that’s just not what all young players do. He’s just uncommon that way, and that’s how it’s elevated him into the position of where he’s at right now.”
Other sophomores in starting roles include right tackle John Ojukwu and middle linebacker Zeke Noa.
In injury news, Harsin said redshirt freshman nose tackle Keeghan Freeborn — who went down in Saturday’s Fall Fan Fest — and junior safety Jordan Happle are “a little banged up,” but both are expected to return this season. However, sophomore cornerback Marques Evans is out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery last week.
Bennett finds a new team
The news of freshman quarterback Kaiden Bennett’s departure from the Boise State football team broke last Friday.
On Monday, the 5-11, 184-pound Folsom, California, product was added to the roster of Mountain West rival Nevada. Bennett originally is from the Reno area.
Wolf Pack coach Jay Norvell welcomed Bennett in a tweet.
There are three other scholarship quarterbacks on Nevada’s roster in freshman Carson Strong, senior Cristian Solano and freshman Austin Kirskey. The Wolf Pack also have walk-ons Malik Henry and Hamish McClure. Bennett will have to sit out the 2019 season and will have four years of eligibility beginning in 2020.
BOISE STATE VS. FLORIDA STATE
When: 5 p.m. MT Saturday
Where: TIAA Bank Field (67,164, grass), Jacksonville, Florida
TV: ESPN (Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill)
Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
Records: Boise State was 10-3 last year; Florida State was 5-7
Series: First meeting
Vegas line: Florida State by 5 1/2
Weather: Mid-80s, 10-20 mph wind, scattered thunderstorms
This story was originally published August 26, 2019 at 11:33 AM.