Boise State to look for ‘mature’ wide receiver in spring transfer portal
Boise State football is entering a new stage of life without Ashton Jeanty in the backfield, and that means fans and the team — despite its desire to focus on the ground game — might have to adjust to seeing the ball in the air a bit more.
That’s an exciting prospect for the wide receiver room. Boise State’s passing offense ranked 70th in the nation (225.6 yards per game) last year, and not much more was needed, because the rushing offense was 8th nationally (240.4 yards) behind Jeanty’s efforts.
The Broncos’ wide receiving corps isn’t as experienced or battle-worn as wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Matt Miller would like. He said Monday that he hopes to bring in at least one experienced wide receiver through the transfer portal, which opens on Wednesday and closes on April 25.
“Getting an older body, more mature body, more mature mind in that room, I think will help us out overall,” Miller said.
Not including redshirt senior tight end Matt Lauter, the Broncos are returning just one of their top three receivers from 2024: sixth-year player Latrell Caples. Boise State lost leading receiver Cam Camper (903 yards) to graduation and soon-to-be junior Prince Strachan (304 yards) to the portal, where he decided to go to USC.
Sophomore receiver Cam Bates has impressed through the spring, and four freshmen will arrive this summer. Otherwise, the Broncos will be working with redshirt seniors Austin Bolt, Ben Ford and Chase Penry. Redshirt junior Chris Marshall also is back, but he missed most of 2024 with injuries.
The most effective receiver among that group last season was Bolt, who had just 196 yards on 16 receptions.
“I don’t think it’s fair for those four freshmen coming in to have all those expectations,” Miller said. “I think they are four really talented kids, but they’re not here right now. And we have some guys who maybe haven’t lived up to their expectations in that room.”
Boise State junior safety Ty Benefield could be a surprise addition. The defensive leader spent last week practicing reps with the receivers. He had a big catch last Thursday, head coach Spencer Danielson said, but his involvement in offense has been a result of a lack of bodies available at the position.
Once the Broncos dip into the transfer portal, what will they be looking for?
“Obviously, the best available is a huge piece, but also a guy who’s gonna be an impactful person in this program,” Miller said. “We’re still going to do our homework on them, and we want them to do their homework on us to make sure it’s a good fit, because that’s a huge piece for us.”
