Boise State depth chart: Who will start on the defensive line in season opener at UCF?
Most athletes recovering from a significant injury hit a low point in the process where they’re left with two options: wallow in self-pity or adapt and overcome.
Last season came to an end for Boise State pass rusher Demitri Washington in the second game of the year at Air Force, the result of a torn ACL.
The low point in his rehab wasn’t watching from the stands in Albertsons Stadium as his teammates played rival BYU because COVID-19 protocols allowed only a certain number of players to be on the sideline. It wasn’t spending six weeks focused solely on flexing his quad muscle during sessions with trainers, or missing the Mountain West championship game.
For Washington, his rock-bottom moment came the day after he had surgery on his right knee. He was sitting in a hotel room with his mother watching Boise State’s game at Hawaii, and every play he watched was more painful than the next.
“The hardest part of an injury is you feel like you’re letting people down,” Washington told reporters. “Honestly, you feel like you’re letting yourself down.”
The COVID-19 pandemic made last season difficult for college football players all over the country, and the toll the past year has taken on Washington will stick with him for a long time. But so will the lessons that came with his first major injury in college.
Chief among them is staying focused on a goal. For him, that was getting healthy in time to take the field for the Broncos’ first practice of fall camp on Aug. 4, and he accomplished that mission. Washington said Thursday that he’s a “full go” in practice, and he couldn’t be more excited to be back in the thick of things.
“You’ll see me in by big, ugly brace,” he said, adding that he also took part in a few of the team’s player-run practices in July. “It may not be the coolest-looking thing ever, but there’s no limitations.”
Washington can barely contain his excitement about being back on the field, and his presence is infectious, co-defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson said.
“He looks the best I’ve ever seen him. He’s big, strong and moving well,” Danielson said. “There’s not a guy that cares and competes more on this team than him.”
Edge or DE?
Washington starred on both sides of the ball at Santa Fe Christian High in California, and he brought that same versatility to Boise State. After spending the first two years of his career at STUD (now known as Edge), he lined up at defensive end in the two games he played last fall.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound native of Solana Beach, California, said the positions aren’t that different — the main difference being the Edge has to drop into coverage at times. But no matter what position Washington plays, his teammates say he’s a load to deal with.
“You’ve got to be right with your technique when you’re going against Demitri, and he’s very strong as well,” offensive tackle Uzo Osuji told reporters on Friday. “He’s powerful, but he’s also slippery, so he can get by you if you don’t keep your feet right and your eyes on him.”
When asked recently what position he’ll play this year, Washington wouldn’t give up the goods. He’s listed on the roster as an Edge and that’s likely where he’ll open the season, given the emergence of defensive end Shane Irwin — a junior college transfer who led the team with 6.5 sacks last season.
“Shane’s a dog, man,” Washington said. “You’ve got to step up when your name is called, and he stepped up. That’s all you can ask of a teammate.”
Washington is grateful to be back on the field in training camp, but he’s sticking with the same goal-oriented approach that got him through rehab. These days, the goal is Boise State’s season opener, which is scheduled for Sept. 2 at UCF.
Projected depth chart
Boise State struggled at times last season to dress enough defensive linemen to meet the roster minimums set in the Mountain West’s COVID-19 protocols. The Broncos even had to move offensive lineman Ben Dooley to the defensive side of the ball to make the numbers work in a home win over Colorado State.
The conference isn’t planning to impose roster minimums this year, Mountain West Commissioner Craig Thompson said at media days, and the Broncos look flush with big bodies on the defensive line this fall thanks to players returning from injuries and absences related to COVID-19.
With the season opener a little less than three weeks away, here’s how I think the Broncos’ depth chart will shake out on the defensive line when Boise State takes the field in Orlando, Florida.
Nose tackle
Starter: Scale Igiehon, Sr., 6-2, 290 — Igiehon once weighed 348 pounds, but he’s transformed his body and seems poised to have the breakout season people around the program have been expecting since he recorded the first 1.5 sacks of his career in 2018 during his first start as a Bronco.
Key reserves: Scott Matlock, Keeghan Freeborn, Herbert Gums
Defensive tackle
Starter: Scott Matlock, R-Jr., 6-4, 295 — Matlock has been a consistent presence on the defensive line the past two years, and he was the only lineman on the team who started all seven games last fall. He put on 13 pounds since last season, and he’s versatile enough to play nose tackle, defensive tackle or defensive end in certain situations.
Key reserves: Jackson Cravens, Divine Obichere
Defensive end
Starter: Shane Irwin, R-Sr., 6-3, 260 — Irwin joined the team last summer after transferring from Long Beach City College, where he was teammates with Obichere. He appeared in all seven games last season, started five and played as many as 90 snaps in some games, as the Broncos struggled with that depth. He’s a tenacious pass rusher from a three-point stance, and he has the athleticism to stand up and play Edge as well.
Key reserves: Aisa Kelemente, Casey Kline (moved to DE this fall after two years at Edge)
Edge
Starter: Demitri Washington, R-Jr., 6-3, 270 — Washington has been groomed to become Boise State’s next pass-rushing specialist since he arrived on campus. He has the size, speed and football IQ needed to both rush the passer and drop back into coverage when needed.
Key reserves: Isaiah Bagnah, Dylan Herberg
This story was originally published August 14, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
