Could Boise State’s 2023 NFL Draft class rival 2012 group as largest in team history?
Six Boise State players were selected in the 2012 NFL Draft — the most in program history.
Defensive end Shea McClellin and running back Doug Martin were both first-round picks. They were joined by defensive end Tyrone Crawford (third), safety George Iloka (fifth), defensive tackle Billy Winn (sixth) and offensive tackle Nate Potter (seventh), who returned to Boise State this year as the Broncos tight ends coach.
Looking ahead, Boise State’s 2023 draft class has a chance to rival the group from 2012. Here’s a look at the players who should have a chance to make the jump to the NFL next year.
Head of the class
S JL Skinner, Sr., 6-4, 220 — Skinner had the opportunity to join the draft this year, and he likely would have been picked. He announced in December that he was returning, in part to earn his degree, and he has a chance to cement his place in the 2023 draft with another big year.
Skinner has the size NFL teams covet, and he showed last season that he has the athleticism to make plays all over the field and the toughness to help in run support. He led the Broncos with 92 tackles last season. A few more interceptions and highlight reel hits can only help Skinner’s stock.
DT Scott Matlock, R-Sr., 6-4, 305 — After putting on 15 pounds since the end of last season, Matlock looks like an NFL defensive lineman. The former standout at Homedale High is coming off a career year, with a team-high seven sacks last fall. He also finished with 41 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss — both of which were career highs. NFL teams can never have too many big bodies in the trenches, which can help his standing.
OT John Ojukwu, 6-yr., 6-6, 300 — Boise State has a long history of putting offensive tackles in the NFL. Potter, Daryn Colledge, Ryan Clady, Charles Leno Jr., Rees Odhiambo and Ezra Cleveland all protected Boise State quarterbacks before moving on to the NFL. Ojuwku has played as many snaps in college as any of them. The former standout at Boise High is heading into his fifth season as a starter at Boise State, and his third at left tackle. He was named first-team All-Mountain West last year and second team in 2020.
Wildcards
RB George Holani, R-Jr., 5-11, 208 — This is probably Holani’s final season in a Boise State uniform. There may not be a more physically demanding position than running back, and given his injuries over the past two years, Holani may feel like he can’t afford to stay in college for another year. He hasn’t played a full season since his true freshman year in 2019. He played in just one full game because of a knee injury in 2020, and missed three games and was limited in several others because of a hamstring injury last season.
But the fact remains that Holani is a next-level athlete, and Boise State’s offense is not the same when he’s not on the field. If he can stay healthy this year and return to the form he showed in 2019, when he rushed for 1,014 yards and scored 10 touchdowns (seven rushing), there’s no reason to think he won’t get drafted.
QB Hank Bachmeier, Sr., 6-1, 210 — Bachmeier’s fourth year as Boise State’s starting quarterback is almost a certainty — especially after none of his backups stole the show at the spring game in April — but he still has to prove he’s an NFL-caliber quarterback.
He doesn’t have Josh Allen’s size or arm strength, and he’s not an explosive athlete like Lamar Jackson. Bachmeier’s career stats are respectable. He’s 18-7 as the Broncos’ starter, has completed 63% of his passes, and his 6,108 passing yards rank No. 7 in program history. But he’s going to have really thrive in his second season in offensive coordinator Tim Plough’s offense and cut down on mistakes to make it on draft boards.
On the verge
S Tyreque Jones, 6-yr., 6-2, 205 — Jones is going to have to improve his ball skills to catch the eye of NFL scouts, but there isn’t a player on Boise State’s roster who improved more as a tackler last season. He showed a burst while tracking ball carriers and a willingness to hit. Another productive season and a few more interceptions should at least guarantee him a shot to earn a roster spot next year.
CB Caleb Biggers, 5-yr., 5-11, 200 — Between his 19 starts at Bowling Green and how much he played at Boise State last season, Biggers has a lot of games under his belt. He impressed Boise State’s coaches with his toughness, and during the Broncos’ final practice before the spring game in April, coach Andy Avalos mentioned Biggers as a player he expects to take his game to another level this season. Despite all of his experience, Biggers doesn’t have an interception in his career, though.
Edge George Tarlas, 6-yr., 6-3, 260 — Tarlas is another player not lacking in game experience. He joined the Broncos this year after posting 17 sacks in four years at Weber State. Pass rushers are at a premium in the NFL, and if Tarlas can show a burst off the edge in the 2022 season, he could find himself in demand.
More draft-eligible players to watch: OL Ben Dooley; CB Markel Reed; WR Stefan Cobbs; TE Riley Smith; TE Tyneil Hopper; TE Kurt Rafdal; OL Will Farrar; OL Garrett Curran; OL Cade Beresford; Edge Demitri Washington; Edge Shane Irwin; DL Divine Obichere; DL Jackson Cravens.
