Will ‘developing’ QB or in-state lineman be first to commit to Boise State’s 2023 class?
Rancho Cucamonga High quarterback CJ Tiller didn’t know much about Boise State before last year.
All he really knew then was the Broncos play on a blue field, but he was part of a large group of 2023 recruits who were on campus for the start of Boise State spring practice on March 5, and the visit left a lasting impression.
“The atmosphere was crazy even though I wasn’t there on game day,” Tiller told the Idaho Statesman. “I got to spend the whole day with the team and go to meetings with the quarterbacks. Everybody treated me great and I loved it.”
Tiller spent most of his childhood thinking college basketball was in his future, but as his high school career began and he grew into his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame, he realized football offered him the best chance to play at the next level.
Last year, his coaches put together a list of college programs that would be a good fit for him. Boise State was on it, and Tiller spent last season watching as many of the Broncos’ games as he could. What stood out the most to him was how much Boise State offensive coordinator Tim Plough puts on his quarterbacks.
“They’re not going to treat you like a kid,” he said. “They’re going to treat it like an NFL offense and you’ve got to make line calls and call out the (middle linebacker) and all that stuff.”
Tiller — a native of Gilbert, Arizona — spent three years at Williams Field High School in Arizona. He sat behind former quarterback and current Air Force safety Tre Bugg III as a freshman, played in eight games during his sophomore season, which was shortened because of COVID-19, and enjoyed a breakout year as a junior.
Tiller led Williams Field to the state semifinals and a 10-3 record last fall, posting 2,458 passing yards and 27 touchdowns despite missing two games because of a concussion.
He’ll lead a new team as a senior. Tiller’s family recently moved to Southern California and he enrolled at Rancho Cucamonga, which is just outside San Bernardino. He hasn’t even taken the field in an official game for the Cougars yet, but he said the move is already paying off because the offense he’ll run this fall is a carbon copy of Plough’s.
“It’s exactly what I’m doing right now,” Tiller said. “From going through my progression to making calls at the line and getting rid of the ball quickly, it’s definitely not going to be a big adjustment.”
Boise State offered Tiller a scholarship while he was on his visit. He’s a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports, and he also has offers from Utah State, San Jose State and Northern Arizona. Tiller said he plans to commit this spring or summer — possibly as soon as May — and he’s looking forward to visiting Boise State again in the near future.
“I really want to be committed so I know where I’m going to spend the next four years and I can just focus on having fun in my senior year,” Tiller said.
Brandon Huffman, national recruiting editor at 247Sports, was in attendance at one of Tiller’s games in Arizona last year, and he recently watched the young quarterback compete at a camp in Las Vegas. Tiller’s stock is on the rise, Huffman said.
“He’s kind of raw as a passer, but he’s a really good athlete and he’s developing,” Huffman said. “He’s a player who I think will see a slew of offers this spring.”
Tiller has a personal connection to Boise State. He and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jalen Richmond grew up as best friends. Richmond played at Chandler High, where he helped the team win four straight Arizona state titles. They’ve been friends since fourth grade, and Tiller even threw passes to Richmond while he ran routes when Boise State’s coaches were visiting the receiver.
“He looked like a five-star recruit in the sixth grade,” Tiller said. “His work ethic makes him special. He doesn’t stop working until he achieves something, he’s smart and he’s fun to be around.”
Who will commit first?
Here’s a look at some 2023 recruits that Boise State has a chance to land in the coming months, according to Huffman.
TE Kade Eldridge, 6-5, 240, Lynden Christian School, Washington — Eldridge is the cousin of incoming Boise State freshman linebacker Jake Ripp, who said when he committed to the Broncos last year that one of his top goals was to persuade Eldridge to join him in Boise.
Eldridge played tight end and defensive end in high school, but the Broncos are recruiting him as a tight end. He’s a three-star recruit who also has offers from Utah, Oregon State, Washington State and Colorado State, but with his familial connection to the Broncos, Huffman said Eldridge could be the first recruit to commit to Boise State’s 2023 class.
“I think he’s open to play on either side of the ball,” Huffman said. “But I think having the opportunity to play with his cousin, who grew up in California while he grew up in Washington, might actually be something that gives Boise State a real good shot at landing him.”
RB Jayden Limar, 5-11, 190, Lake Stevens High, Washington — The four-star recruit was one of the first players new Boise State running backs coach Keith Bhonapha offered a scholarship to after he joined Boise State’s staff in January. Limar also has a long list of scholarship offers from Power Five programs, including Michigan, Notre Dame, Washington, Oregon and UCLA, but Huffman said Boise State has a strong chance to land him.
Bhonapha rejoined the Boise State staff after a long stint at Washington.
“Boise State is going up against some major programs to get him, but his relationship with Bhonahpha is big, and I think that alone gives the Broncos a chance,” Huffman said.
OT Jackson Fullmer, 6-5, 267, Rocky Mountain — The No. 3 recruit in Idaho, according to 247Sports, Fullmer is a three-star offensive tackle who was named to the 5A All-Idaho team last season after racking up 78 pancake blocks. Fullmer also has offers from Colorado, Washington State, Kansas State, San Jose State, UNLV and Utah State.
“He’s interesting because he has the national offers, but he’s intrigued with Boise State,” Huffman said. “He’s been on the road a ton to visit a lot of schools, but I think Boise State has a really good chance to get him.”
