He was committed to an FCS power. Now he’s walking on at Boise State. Here’s why
Timberline senior running back Taylor Marcum verbally committed to Montana State in July, and he planned to sign with the FCS national runner-up on the first day of the early signing period, which was Dec. 15.
Then Boise State made one last call, a call that changed everything.
Marcum decommitted from Montana State and switched to Boise State a day later, choosing to walk on for his hometown Broncos instead of taking a full-ride scholarship from the Bozeman school.
As a walk on, he will not sign a National Letter of Intent. But he will participate in a signing day ceremony Wednesday at Timberline.
“I fell in love with the entire coaching staff,” Marcum said of Boise State. “Coach (Andy) Avalos is a different type of coach that I’ve ever met before. And growing up in Boise, Boise State has always been a dream school.”
Marcum’s decision to walk on continues Boise State’s history of mining its own backyard for walk-on talent. Last season, the Broncos elevated three local walk-ons — Tyler Crowe, Tyler Eiguren and Dylan Herberg — to scholarship players. And former players like Leighton Vander Esch, Matt Paradis, Brock Forsey and Jeb Putzier all started as walk-ons before starring at Boise State and playing in the NFL.
Marcum, who also had an offer from Idaho, said he originally committed to Montana State because of his relationships with the Bobcats’ coaching staff. But he noted coaches come and go. He said that 30-minute call with Avalos and wide receivers coach Matt Miller on Dec. 13 opened his eyes to all his hometown school could offer.
“Recruiting is a game,” the born-and-raised Boise native said. “I’ve been on several visits and campus tours. It’s just a game. They see you as just another player, almost. They just want what’s best for their team.
“It was different with Avalos and his staff. They had written out schedules for your visit and tutors for you. They had a plan. They want to make you the best man possible when you leave the school with a blue-collar mentality.”
Marcum first broke out as a sophomore at Timberline, leading the 5A Southern Idaho Conference in rushing yards that season. He made the all-conference or all-division first team three straight years, and he wrapped up his senior season with 765 yards of offense and 12 TDs.
His speed (4.4-second, laser-timed 40-yard dash) made him a big-play threat out of the backfield, as a receiver and on special teams. Marcum said Boise State recruited him as an all-purpose back, one the Broncos can utilize in the running, passing and kick return games.
Marcum knows the path for a walk-on is not easy. But he also knows Boise State’s history. If he proves himself, he can work his way onto the field.
“It just drives my mindset even harder because I know I have the talent to play at that level,” Marcum said. “I’m kind of in the same situation as Tyler Crowe. … He’s the hardest-working guy I’ve ever met. He’s a prime example of if you just put your head down and do the work, it will happen for you.”
MORE LOCAL BOISE STATE WALK-ONS
Five more Treasure Valley players have verbally committed to walk on at Boise State. Walk-on commits are not binding.
The list:
Seth Knothe, Bishop Kelly: The first-team 4A All-Idaho running back led the 4A ranks with 1,965 rushing yards and 33 TDs.
Ethan Mikita, Eagle: The running back/wide receiver started the fall as one of the top players to watch in the Treasure Valley before tearing his ACL on his second touch of the year.
Mason Jacobsen, Rocky Mountain: A first-team 5A All-Idaho linebacker, the 6-2, 235-pound senior was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the 5A SIC Foothills Division.
Hunter Steacker, Rocky Mountain: The Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the 5A SIC Foothills Division did a bit of everything for the Grizzlies, finishing with 994 total yards and seven TDs on 72 offensive touches.
Austin Schultsmeier, Mountain View: The 6-3, 255-pound lineman made the 5A All-Idaho first team after paving the way for the classification’s top rushing offense.
This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 5:14 PM.
