He was a high school state player of the year. Now this QB is transferring to Boise State
The latest addition to Boise State’s 2022 recruiting class is a quarterback with Pac-12 experience.
Former Oregon State player Sam Vidlak is transferring to Boise State, the program announced on Sunday night. Vidlak appeared in one game for the Beavers last season, which means he has at least four years of eligibility remaining.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound native of Applegate, Oregon, was a three-star recruit coming out of Hidden Valley High, according to 247Sports and Rivals. He signed with Oregon State after originally committing to Montana.
As a junior in 2019, Vidlak was named state offensive player of the year, and he led all high school quarterbacks in Oregon with 3,404 yards and 44 touchdowns through the air. He also helped Hidden Valley reach its first state championship game in 41 years and set title-game records with 39 completions and 479 yards passing. Vidlak’s senior season was postponed because of COVID-19, but as a sophomore, he posted 2,294 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
The only game Vidlak appeared in for Oregon State last season was a 42-0 win over Idaho. He played 12 snaps and completed 2-of-3 passes for eight yards.
Vidlak is joining a program looking for an experienced backup to replace former USC quarterback Jack Sears, who came to Boise State in 2020 but announced in December that he was leaving to play his final season elsewhere.
Vidlak likely will compete with redshirt freshman Taylen Green to serve as three-year starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier’s primary backup. Green enrolled early and joined the Broncos last January. He appeared in two games during the season but did not attempt a pass.
Quarterback Maddux Madsen was one of 22 recruits Boise State signed during the early signing period in December.
BOISE STATE 2022 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)
S 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)
QB Sam Vidlak, 6-1, 187, Oregon State (Applegate, Oregon)
This story was originally published January 10, 2022 at 4:00 AM.
