Boise State adds another 2021 recruit from a team on a state title streak
For the third time in less than a month, Boise State’s football team picked up a verbal commitment from a 2021 recruit used to winning championships.
Colorado native Kaden Dudley informed the Broncos’ coaches of his decision last Saturday and announced it publicly Friday on Twitter. He was the second recruit to announce his commitment Friday, following dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green, who made his decision public earlier in the day.
Two of Boise State’s recent additions to the class — wide receiver Jalen Richmond and running back Eli Sanders — helped Chandler High win its fourth straight Arizona state title last season. Richmond committed on June 30, and Sanders joined the class on July 4.
Dudley is a three-star athlete with scholarship offers from at least four Power 5 schools, according to 247Sports. Last season, he started at wide receiver and safety, and helped Palmer Ridge High School win its third straight 3A Colorado state championship.
He was the first recruit to verbally commit to Colorado’s 2021 class, but in March, he reopened his recruitment, citing difficulty in making an informed decision as COVID-19 extended the NCAA’s recruiting period and canceled in-person visits.
He said in March that the Buffaloes were still his top choice, and he looked forward to getting to know Colorado’s new coaching staff. In February, former Miami Dolphins assistant Karl Dorrell was hired to replace Mel Tucker as head coach.
Dudley also has offers from Power 5 programs Kansas, Arizona and Washington State, and Mountain West teams New Mexico and Colorado State, according to 247Sports.
He committed to Boise State a little more than a week after posting on Twitter how much he enjoyed a virtual tour of its campus.
Last season, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Monument, Colorado, native posted more than 1,200 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns (nine receiving). On defense, he snagged six interceptions and racked up more than 100 tackles.
Dudley transferred to Palmer Ridge after he spent his freshman year at Vista Ridge High School in Colorado Springs. As a sophomore, he caught 30 passes, six of which went for touchdowns, and intercepted a team-high nine passes, taking two the other way for six points.
Colorado was recruiting him as a defensive back, according to BuffStampede.com, but it’s unclear which side of the ball he’ll end up on for the Broncos.
Boise State likely will lose four starters in the secondary after this season. Cornerbacks Jalen Walker and Avery Williams, nickel Kekaula Kaniho and safety Jordan Happle are all seniors, which may explain why the Broncos went defensive-back heavy in their 2020 class, signing seven.
The Broncos also will have some turnover at wide receiver. CT Thomas and Octavius Evans are both seniors, and with a big junior year, the team’s top returning receiver, Khalil Shakir, could consider a jump to the NFL.
Boise State missed out on 2020 wide receiver Chance Luper, who backed out of a verbal commitment to the Broncos and signed with Missouri. But the Broncos signed LaTrell Caples, an explosive receiver from Texas; Cole Wright, a versatile wideout from California; and Idaho native Austin Bolt, who is coming in as a tight end but may also see time in the slot.
2021 recruiting class
LB Jai Jones, 5-11, 230, South Oak Cliff High (Dallas, Texas)
WR Jalen Richmond, 6-0, 175, Chandler (Arizona) High
RB Eli Sanders, 6-0, 190, Chandler (Arizona) High
QB Taylen Green, 6-5, 215, Lewisville (Texas) High
ATH Kaden Dudley, 5-11, 190, Palmer Ridge High (Monument, Colorado)
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 6:17 PM.
