Boise State defensive preview: Who is next in line for the Broncos at D-line and STUD?
As much work as the Boise State offense has ahead of it rebuilding the offensive line, most of the turnover on the Broncos’ depth chart this season will take place on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season, Boise State ranked No. 3 in the Mountain West in total defense (346.3 yards per game), No. 4 in rushing defense (112.7 ypg) and No. 6 in passing defense (233.6 ypg). The Broncos’ 40 sacks led the conference.
This fall, the Broncos have to replace three starters on the defensive line, one of the best pass rushers in program history and a pair of veterans in the secondary. Whether they’re veterans who have waited their turn, transfers or incoming freshmen, there will undoubtedly be new faces on the defensive side of the ball.
Here’s a position-by-position look at the Broncos’ defense and special teams for 2020.
Defensive line
The starters: He’s limited this spring after having offseason procedures on both heels, but 6-foot-2, 308-pound junior nose tackle Scale Igiehon should anchor the Broncos’ line. After starting three games as a true freshman in 2018, he appeared in all 14 games last fall and managed 38 tackles despite playing behind three seniors (Sonatane Lui, David Moa, Chase Hatada). Igiehon posted a career-high seven tackles in the Broncos’ overtime win over Wyoming.
As the Broncos try to replace the aforementioned starters, the cast of characters around Igiehon may be a revolving door. Junior college transfers Shane Irwin (DE) and Divine Obichere (DT) will get plenty of early opportunities. Irwin is an athletic, 254-pound pass rusher, and Obichere (6-4, 285) and Igiehon on the line together may prove to be one of the most formidable duos in the Mountain West.
Next in line: In-state product Scott Matlock (Homedale) has a chance to work his way into the rotation at defensive tackle or end after appearing in 12 games last season. Utah transfer Jackson Cravens — a 6-2, 293-pound redshirt sophomore — also should provide quality depth after recovering from a shoulder injury and sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules.
The sleeper: Redshirt freshman Michael Callahan (6-3, 270) impressed coaches last season on the scout team. He and Rocky Mountain graduate Keeghan Freeborn — a 6-1, 308-pound nose tackle — may prove to be the future of Boise State’s defensive line, but especially with so many spots left open by graduation, there’s no reason they can’t work their way into the rotation this season.
Linebacker
The starters: Redshirt junior Ezekiel Noah was Boise State’s leading tackler last fall when he suffered a season-ending injury in week four against Air Force. His return adds a physical, playmaking presence to a veteran group, which also includes seniors Riley Whimpey and Benton Wickersham. Whimpey led the team last season with 83 tackles, while Wickersham finished third with 63.
Next in line: Brock Miller will join the team this summer as a graduate transfer from N.C. State. He saw action in 25 games the past two seasons and started 11 for the Wolfpack last fall, when he notched 40 tackles. Miller could work his way into the starting lineup, but he’ll likely provide quality depth early in the season.
The sleeper: Redshirt junior Josh Booker-Brown was named the Broncos’ defensive scout team player of the year last fall. The Texas native joined the roster last year after transferring from Pearl River Community College. His younger brother, Nick, a defensive tackle, verbally committed to Boise State’s 2020 class but signed with N.C. State.
STUD
The starters: Redshirt sophomore Demitri Washington is one of the defensive players who Boise State coaches and fans alike are eager to see take on a leading role this season. He came to the Broncos as a dynamic athlete who stood out on defense and as a quarterback and tight end at Santa Fe Christian in California.
Washington appeared in all 14 games last season and finished with 4.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and 34 tackles.
He has big shoes to fill after Mountain West career sacks leader Curtis Weaver left for the NFL Draft a year early. Weaver is No. 2 all-time at Boise State with 34 sacks.
Next in line: Who will line up opposite Washington in the Broncos’ two-STUD packages is anybody’s guess. After missing all of last season with an injury, Sam Whitney was approved by the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. His experience will likely put him high on that list.
Whitney is joined by in-state pass rusher Aisa Kelemete — a graduate of Highland High in Pocatello. He has been slowed by injuries the past two seasons, but Kelemete is an explosive 6-4 athlete who bulked up from 253 last season to 274 this spring.
The sleeper: Former four-star recruit Casey Kline is now listed on the Broncos’ roster as an outside linebacker, which may open the door for fellow redshirt freshman Isaiah Bagnah to work his way into the STUD rotation. Bagnah is a 6-4, 240-pound pass rusher from Alberta, Canada, who joined the Broncos’ 2019 class as a three-star recruit.
Cornerback/Nickel
The starters: Redshirt senior Jalen Walker is the unquestioned leader of the cornerbacks. He was named second-team All-Mountain West after starting all 14 games last season, finished fifth on the team with 53 tackles and returned his only interception for a touchdown at Utah State.
Fellow redshirt senior Avery Williams is the most experienced member of the group. In 2017, he started 10 games as a redshirt freshman. He started all 14 last season and earned All-Mountain West honors for the third season in a row. But Williams is also the Broncos’ main return specialist — a role that may grow with John Hightower’s departure — and he struggled in man-to-man coverage late last season.
Senior nickel Kekaula Kaniho is entering his fourth year as a starter. He has played safety and nickel, but even though he’s undersized at 5-10 and 185 pounds, his physical nature makes him perfect for nickel, which requires coverage skills and the ability to help set the edge against the run. Kaniho finished fourth on the team last year with 61 tackles and third with 11 tackles for loss.
Next in line: The most likely candidate to challenge for Williams’ job is sophomore Markel Reed, who appeared in 11 games last fall and regularly subbed in for Williams in the latter half of the season.
Jonathan Earl is a 6-3, 195-pound junior college transfer who will arrive on campus this summer and is expected to compete for playing time right away, and Tyric LeBeauf is a redshirt sophomore who has impressed as a member of the scout team the past two years and intercepted Bachmeier in Friday’s spring practice.
Sleepers: He was limited last season by injuries, but redshirt sophomore Chris Mitchell is healthy and hoping to work his way onto the two-deep this spring. Coming out of Mission Viejo High in California in 2018, he was a three-star recruit and the No. 75 safety in the country, according to 247Sports.
After seeing limited action the past three seasons, including in just one game last year, redshirt junior Marques Evans has already turned heads this offseason. On Thursday, Boise State coach Bryan Harsin mentioned him as a player to watch this spring.
The Broncos also have high hopes for their incoming freshman cornerbacks, especially Rodney Robinson, whom the coaches see as a natural at nickel.
Safety
The starters: DeAndre Pierce’s decision to transfer and Evan Tyler’s torn pectoral muscle complicate this a bit, but the Broncos have experience on the back end. Redshirt junior Tyreque Jones and redshirt senior Jordan Happle started games last season, and when he was healthy, Happle was one of the most consistent tacklers on the team. Jones snagged his first career interception in the Broncos’ regular-season finale at Colorado State.
Kaniho can move to safety if a suitable replacement emerges at nickel, and Harsin said Tyler — a sixth-year senior — is expected to be cleared by fall camp, so he’ll provide quality depth.
Next in line: Other than Washington, the defensive player Boise State coaches and fans are most excited to see in action this season is sophomore JL Skinner. The 6-4, 219-pound former four-star recruit appeared in all 14 games last season and made one start. Earl’s size also allows for the possibility of moving him to safety in a pinch.
The sleeper: Pierce’s departure, coupled with Tyler’s injury and Kekoa Nawahine’s graduation, may contribute to true freshman Semaj Verner seeing the field earlier than expected. Like Skinner, he earned a fourth star from 247Sports late in the recruiting process. Verner (6-2, 185) has the size to play early and the athleticism to play safety or cornerback.
Special teams
Kicker: Redshirt freshman Gavin Wale and redshirt sophomore Ryan Meyer will compete early on to replace Eric Sachse, who joined the Broncos last season for his final year of eligibility. Punter Joel Velazquez may also throw his name in the hat after he went 1-of-2 on field goals last season, including a career-long 52-yard kick.
Punter: Velazquez, a redshirt senior, is expected to handle the punting duties again this season after he averaged 39.9 yards per punt last fall. Like Velazquez, Wale is listed as a kicker/punter on the roster.
Returners: Avery Williams was named Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year last season after he was one of just two players in the country with two punt returns for touchdowns. Following Hightower’s graduation, Williams likely will take on a larger role on the kickoff-return unit. Wide receivers Khalil Shakir and CT Thomas also are kickoff-return possibilities, as is incoming freshman wide receiver LaTrell Caples.
