Boise State’s change-of-pace running back, veteran defensive back declare for NFL Draft
Boise State’s backfield is going to look a lot different next season.
The Broncos already lost short-yardage running back Andrew Van Buren to the transfer portal, and now they’re going to have to replace their change-of-pace back, too.
Boise State running back Cyrus Habibi-Likio announced Friday morning on Twitter that he will forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2022 NFL Draft. He did not say whether he plans to play in the Arizona Bowl on Dec. 31.
Habibi-Likio had one more season of eligibility left because of the extra year the NCAA offered due to the impact COVID-19 had on the 2020 season.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound native of Palo Alto, California, joined the Broncos this year after four seasons at Oregon. He scored 21 rushing touchdowns during his career with the Ducks.
Habibi-Likio finished second on the team at Boise State this season with 374 rushing yards and added two touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 23 passes for 213 yards. Van Buren led the Broncos with nine rushing touchdowns.
Despite missing three games and playing in a limited capacity in several others because of a hamstring injury, redshirt sophomore George Holani led the Broncos with 569 rushing yards. He missed most of last season with a knee injury after bursting on the scene with 1,014 yards as a freshman.
Holani said in November that he’ll be back next season. Former walk-on Tyler Crowe, junior college transfer Taequan Tyler and redshirt junior Danny Smith remain on the roster. Boise State also signed explosive running back Ashton Jeanty as part of its 2022 recruiting class. He plans to enroll early and be on campus by January.
Kaniho to test NFL waters
Boise State nickel Kekaula Kaniho also announced Friday that he’ll test the NFL waters, but he didn’t leave any question about his intentions when it comes to playing in the Arizona Bowl.
“We have one more mission to accomplish as a team,” Kaniho wrote in a post on Instagram, which included gratitude toward fans, his teammates and coaches, and his family.
A five-year starter, Kaniho has appeared in a program-record 60 games since his true freshman year in 2017, and he has started 46. He heads into his final game with 217 career tackles, six interceptions and five sacks. He has also scored four touchdowns: one on an interception in the 2017 Las Vegas Bowl, two on fumble returns and one on a blocked field goal attempt last season against Colorado State. He’s fifth on the team this season with 52 tackles.
The 5-11, 188-pound native of Kahuku, Hawaii, is a three-time All-Mountain West selection, and he earned first-team honors in 2019. He’s also a four-time academic All-Mountain West pick and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, and he was named the 2020 Senior CLASS Award winner.
BOISE STATE VS. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
What: Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl
When: Noon Mountain time, Dec. 31
Where: Arizona Stadium, Tuscon, Arizona
TV: The game will be streamed for free on all Barstool Sports platforms.
Records: Boise State 7-5, 5-3 MW; Central Michigan 8-4, 6-2 MAC
Series: Boise State is 2-3 against Central Michigan, but the teams haven’t played since 2001. The Broncos won games in 2000 and 2001.
Vegas line: Boise State by 9
This story was originally published December 24, 2021 at 9:38 AM.
