Signing day: Boise State inks 22 recruits, awaits decision from Louisiana quarterback
Most of the hay is in the barn for the Boise State football team on early signing day.
The Broncos signed 22 recruits to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, and Boise State’s 2022 recruiting class ranks No. 1 in the Mountain West and No. 50 in the country, according to 247Sports. Boise State’s 2021 class ranked No. 67 nationally.
Boise State signed most of the verbally committed recruits in its class, and the Broncos added a couple of surprises on signing day.
Former BYU commit Braxton Fely kept everyone in suspense and didn’t announce where he was heading until Wednesday, but in the end, he chose Boise State. The Broncos also signed 6-foot-4 wide receiver Prince Strachan, who will grayshirt and be eligible to play in January 2023. His brother, Michael Strachan, is a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Broncos have been busy during the early signing period, but they may not be done.
Boise State already has a commitment from quarterback Maddux Madsen, but head coach Andy Avalos and staff may want to add another — especially after Jack Sears entered the transfer portal.
If the Broncos do add another quarterback, it could be three-star Louisiana native Landry Lyddy. He’s verbally committed to Louisiana Tech, but he visited Boise State over the weekend and removed “La Tech commit” from his Twitter bio this week. Lyddy was named the 2021 Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year after throwing for 4,247 yards and 53 touchdowns as a senior at Calvary Baptist in Shreveport. He is expected to announce his decision at 1 p.m. Mountain time.
Another uncommitted recruit to keep an eye on is junior college offensive lineman Lisala Tai, a 6-foot-8, 340-pound offensive tackle from Snow College. He visited Boise State in late November with teammate Cortez Hogans Jr., a defensive end who signed with the Broncos today.
Here is a look at the players Boise State has signed. Check back often as National Letters of Intent will be flowing in throughout the day.
P James Ferguson, 6-1, 175, Pro Kick Australia (Geelong, Australia)
Ferguson was Boise State’s first recruit to sign his National Letter of Intent — by a long shot. His letter was in by 1 p.m. Mountain time on Tuesday, which was 7 a.m. on Wednesday in Australia. Ferguson committed in October.
“The facilities available and the city suited me from day one,” Ferguson told the Statesman. “This history and success behind the Broncos has been great to learn about, and I look forward to joining and hopefully continuing that legacy.”
WR Prince Strachan, 6-4, 185, John Carroll High (Fort Pierce, Florida)
Strachan is originally from the Bahamas, but he settled in Florida shortly after his sophomore year in high school began. It didn’t take him long to turn heads, as he finished his first varsity season with 33 catches for 633 yards and eight touchdowns. This fall, he led John Carroll in every receiving category. He also had a 52-yard touchdown catch against Champagnat Catholic in the Region 4-2A championship that was featured on the “You got Mossed” segment of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show on Nov. 27. Strachan’s older brother, Michael, is a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. Prince Strachan will join Boise State as a grayshirt, meaning he won’t be eligible to play until January 2023.
RB Ashton Jeanty, 5-9, 195, Lone Star (Texas) High
Jeanty was relatively unknown when he verbally committed in September. He didn’t have ratings from 247Sports or Rivals at the time, but he has since earned a four-star rating from 247Sports. He put up impressive numbers as a senior at Lone Star High, which is in Frisco, Texas — a suburb of Dallas and a recruiting hotbed in a talent-rich state. Jeanty rushed for 1,843 yards and 31 touchdowns and added 42 receptions for 803 yards and 10 more touchdowns. He’s in the running to be named Mr. Football in the state of Texas.
Edge Deven Wright, 6-5, 230, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Clarksdale, Mississippi)
Wright was originally committed to UAB, and he also had scholarship offers from Arkansas State, Charlotte, Kent State, Western Kentucky, Old Dominion, Middle Tennessee State and Austin Peay. He spent two seasons at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and he posted 34 tackles and 7.5 sacks this season after getting to the quarterback just once in five games in 2020. Wright’s combination of size and athleticism have drawn comparisons to former Boise State pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, who also transferred from a junior college and is now harassing quarterbacks for the Dallas Cowboys.
QB Maddux Madsen, 6-0, 185, American Fork (Utah) High
Madsen said he’s been in contact with Boise State offensive coordinator Tim Plough since not long after Plough was hired in January. The undersized but confident quarterback didn’t get an offer from the Broncos until quarterback Katin Houser flipped his commitment to Michigan State. When Madsen got an offer from Boise State, he accepted on the spot. He threw for 3,693 yards and 42 touchdowns as a sophomore and added 4,044 passing yards and 48 touchdowns as a junior. This fall, he racked up 3,693 yards and 42 touchdowns through the air.
OT Roger Carreon, 6-5, 305, Jal (New Mexico) High
Carreon was one of three recruits who committed on the same day in June, joining wide receiver Keenan McCaddy and linebacker Kaeo Akana. He is the No. 1 recruit in New Mexico, according to 247Sports, and he also had scholarship offers from Oregon State, Air Force, UNLV, Army, Illinois State, New Mexico, Northern Arizona and Texas State. He also helped the Jal basketball team make it to the 2A state championship game this winter.
Carreon was a 2A all-state pick on the offensive and defensive lines this fall, and he has already played in the Red-Green All-Star game in Roswell, New Mexico. He’s scheduled to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas.
DL JJ Talo, 6-3, 250, Kearns High (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Talo was the first defensive lineman to join Boise State’s class when he committed in June, and he told the Statesman that his final decision came down to Boise State and Utah State. Talo played offensive and defensive line during a four-year varsity career. He was named 6A all-state as a defensive tackle last fall.
“What convinced me was the coaching staff and overall family vibe that was there during my unofficial and official visits,” said Talo, adding that he’s excited to play for Boise State defensive line coach Frank Maile, who grew up near Kearns, Utah.
Edge George Tarlas, 6-4, 260, Weber State (Chalkida, Greece)
Tarlas is the most recent addition to Boise State’s class, having announced his verbal commitment on Tuesday. Originally from Greece, he played the final two years of his high school career in Idaho before signing with Weber State. He has spent the past five seasons with the Wildcats and racked up 117 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and two interceptions. Tarlas was a two-time All-Big Sky pick at Weber State, and he has one year of eligibility remaining. His final decision came down to Boise State, Utah, San Diego State and South Florida.
DT Braxton Fely, 6-2, 240, Timpview High (Provo, Utah)
Fely kept the suspense high as he waited to announce where he was going until signing day. The defensive lineman’s final decision came down to Boise State and Utah State. He visited both campuses in the past week and was on campus at Boise State over the weekend. The native of Provo, Utah, was verbally committed to BYU, but he reopened his recruitment in November. He’s a three-star recruit who also had scholarship offers from Air Force, Colorado State, Morgan State and Princeton. He posted 60 tackles and 13.5 sacks this fall, according to MaxPreps.
DE Cortez Hogans Jr., 6-3, 265, Snow College (Palatine, Illinois)
Hogans committed in late November after a visit to Boise State’s campus, which included the chance to watch the Broncos rout New Mexico 37-0. Hogans began his career as a middle linebacker at Northern Illinois. After posting five sacks for Snow College this fall, he’s joining the Broncos as a defensive end with two years of eligibility remaining.
OT Kage Casey, 6-6, 250, Clackamas (Oregon) High
Casey played left tackle at Clackamas in the spring and fall. He verbally committed to Boise State in June, and he passed on a scholarship offer from Oregon State to sign with the Broncos.
TE Austin Terry, 6-5, 230, Tumwater High (Olympia, Washington)
Terry has been committed to Boise State since early June, and he plans to enroll early. He’s the No. 14 overall recruit in the state of Washington, and he told the Statesman that his final decision came down to Boise State, Nebraska, UCLA and Arizona. Terry is a four-year starter at tight end and on the defensive line at Tumwater, where he helped the team win state championships as a freshman and sophomore, and led the Thunderbirds back to the state title game this fall.
Tumwater operates out of a run-heavy wing-t offense, which limits his opportunities to showcase his skills as a pass catcher. Further limiting Terry’s chances to shine, his teammate is four-star tight end Ryan Otton, who is rated as one of the top 10 tight ends in the country by 247Sports and is heading to Washington.
OL Cade Beresford, 6-7, 300, Washington State (Woodinville, Washington)
A transfer from Washington State, Beresford announced Sunday that he was heading to Boise State. He’s joined by his younger brother, Jack — a walk-on defensive lineman — and they’re following in the footsteps of their father, Harry, who was a left tackle at Boise State from 1991 to 1993. Cade Beresford started nine games at right guard for Washington State this season before an ankle injury relegated him to a backup role.
WR Zamondre Merriweather, 6-3, 200, Valencia (California) High
Merriweather played wide receiver and safety at Valencia High. He committed to the Broncos as a wide receiver in July, choosing Boise State over offers from Florida State, Maryland, Colorado State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and New Mexico.
LB Dishawn Misa, 6-3, 230, Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Washington)
Misa is the highest-rated player in Boise State’s class. He’s a four-star recruit, the No. 5 overall recruit in Washington and the No. 33 linebacker in the country, according to 247Sports. He’s also the highest-rated recruit to commit to a Mountain West program this year, according to 247Sports national recruiting editor Brandon Huffman. Misa also had scholarship offers from USC, UCLA, Oregon, Cal, Washington, Utah, Oregon State, Penn State, Colorado, Arizona State, Washington State, Wisconsin and Hawaii. His final decision came down to UCLA, Utah, Colorado and Boise State.
CB Dionte Thornton, 6-3, 185, Lawndale (California) High
Thornton is the elder statesman in the class. He was the second recruit to join when he verbally committed in late June, and he is the Broncos’ longest-standing commit after quarterback Katin Houser flipped to Michigan State. Thornton is also one of the first commits landed by Boise State assistant coach Jeron Johnson, a former safety at Boise State and for the Seattle Seahawks who was hired to coach the Broncos’ cornerbacks in January. Johnson is from Compton, California, which is less than a 30-minute drive from Lawndale.
Thornton is a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports, and he told the Statesman that his final decision came down to Boise State, Cal and Arizona State.
LB Gavin Hambrick, 6-2, 220, Apple Valley (California) High
Hambrick verbally committed to Boise State on the same day in early October as fellow linebacker Jake Ripp. He is a three-star recruit, and he told the Statesman that his final decision came down to Boise State, Air Force and Northern Arizona. This spring, he posted 32 tackles, six for loss, a sack and an interception while helping Apple Valley High finish with a 5-0 record. This fall, he racked up 97 tackles and seven sacks, and he made the game-saving tackle in a win that propelled Apple Valley to its first CIF Southern Section championship game in program history.
LB Jake Ripp, 6-3, 215, Los Gatos (California) High
Despite leading Los Gatos High with 69 tackles in five games this spring, Ripp didn’t get his first scholarship offer until this summer and he verbally committed to Boise State in early October. He’s a three-star recruit and also had scholarship offers from San Jose State, UC Davis, Sacramento State and Cal Poly. Ripp posted 103 tackles this fall and hauled in six touchdown passes as a tight end, according to MaxPreps. His mother, Katy, played volleyball professionally, and his father, Joe, is a longtime volleyball coach at Los Gatos.
“What convinced me was the coaches,” Ripp told the Statesman. “I like everything about Boise (State), from the facilities, program history, downtown Boise and the uniforms, but the ultimate reason I picked Boise was because I felt like I really connected to the coaches.”
OT Hall Schmidt, 6-7, 300, Peninsula (Washington) High
Schmidt chose the Broncos over scholarship offers from Eastern Washington, Idaho, Idaho State, Missouri State, Montana, Montana State and Montana Tech. He played left guard at Peninsula High this spring after the 2020 season was postponed because of COVID-19, and he moved to right tackle this fall, earning the title of 3A SSC Lineman of the Year.
LB Jayden Virgin, 6-3, 220, Mt. Carmel High (San Diego, California)
Virgin was upgraded to a four-star recruit by 247Sports in November. He chose the Broncos over scholarship offers from Colorado State, Utah State, Fresno State and San Jose State. Virgin played tight end, wide receiver, safety and outside linebacker during his high school career, and he lined up at wildcat quarterback this season. He’ll join the Broncos as an edge rusher. As a senior, he posted 16 sacks, caught 27 passes for 346 yards and four touchdowns, and added seven rushing touchdowns, according to MaxPreps. Virgin’s older brother, Ty, is a running back at Colorado State-Pueblo.
OT Tyson Molio’o, 6-4, 295, St. John Bosco (Bellfower, California)
Molio’o comes from a high school program that is familiar to Boise State fans. St. John Bosco also produced running back George Holani and Houser, the QB who flipped his commitment to Michigan State in June. Molio’o is a three-star recruit who also had scholarship offers from UNLV, San Jose State and Idaho State.
S Keenan McCaddy, 6-4, 185, Moanalua High (Honolulu, Hawaii)
McCaddy was one of three recruits who committed on the same day in June. He was joined by linebacker Kaeo Akana, a fellow Hawaiian, and offensive lineman Roger Carreon. McCaddy was relatively unknown when he committed, but he earned a scholarship offer from Boise State after working out at one of its camps, and he has since earned a three-star rating from 247Sports. He also had a scholarship offer from Navy, which he visited in June. McCaddy played only one year of varsity football after the 2020 season was canceled at Moanalua High because of COVID-19.
This week’s coverage
He went to high school in Idaho. Now Boise State’s latest commit is coming home
Package deal: Beresford brothers excited to continue father’s legacy at Boise State
This former JUCO defensive lineman wants to ‘make a name’ for himself at Boise State
Boise State adds three to 2022 recruiting class — including brothers who are legacies
Boise State lands signature recruit in 2022 class; Idaho State hires new football coach
Recruiting expert: Boise State’s 2022 class is close to cracking the top 50 nationally
BOISE STATE 2022 RECRUITING CLASS
CB Dionte Thornton, 6-3, 185, Lawndale (California) High
OT Kage Casey, 6-6, 250, Clackamas (Oregon) High
TE Austin Terry, 6-5, 230, Tumwater High (Olympia, Washington)
WR Keenan McCaddy, 6-4, 180, Moanalua High (Honolulu, Hawaii)
OT Roger Carreon, 6-5, 295, Jal (New Mexico) High
DL JJ Talo, 6-3, 250, Kearns High (Salt Lake City, Utah)
LB Jayden Virgin, 6-3, 220, Mt. Carmel High (San Diego, California)
OT Hall Schmidt, 6-7, 300, Peninsula (Washington) High
WR Zamondre Merriweather, 6-2, 200, Valencia (California) High
QB Maddux Madsen, 6-0, 185, American Fork (Utah) High
LB Jake Ripp, 6-3, 215, Los Gatos (California) High
LB Gavin Hambrick, 6-2, 220, Apple Valley (California) High
RB Ashton Jeanty, 5-9, 195, Lone Star (Texas) High
P James Ferguson, 6-1, 175, Pro Kick Australia
OT Tyson Molio’o, 6-4, 295, St. John Bosco (Bellfower, California)
DE Cortez Hogans Jr., 6-3, 265, Snow College (Palatine, Illinois)
LB Dishawn Misa, 6-3, 230, Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Washington)
Edge Deven Wright, 6-5, 230, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Clarksdale, Mississippi)
OL Cade Beresford, 6-7, 300, Washington State (Woodinville, Washington)
Edge George Tarlas, 6-4, 260, Weber State (Chalkida, Greece)
WR Prince Strachan, 6-4, 185, John Carroll High (Fort Pierce, Florida)
DT Braxton Fely, 6-2, 240, Timpview High (Provo, Utah)
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 4:00 AM.
