Many former Boise State players on NFL rosters. Others were cut. Here’s a list
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Multiple former Boise State players were waived during NFL 53-man cuts Tuesday.
- Despite cuts, over a dozen Broncos and Idaho-linked athletes made NFL rosters.
- Injuries and limited preseason playtime impacted several players’ NFL prospects.
The deadline for NFL teams to cut their rosters down to 53 players arrived Tuesday, bringing to a close a whole offseason of work for athletes aiming to make a team.
Unfortunately, it also meant there are players who didn’t make a roster after an entire summer of work — including some former Boise State standouts.
Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson said Tuesday that although he doesn’t watch a lot of the NFL, it “breaks his heart” to see players he considers his “sons” get released from teams.
“Definitely going to be paying attention to (cut day),” Danielson said Tuesday morning. “And however it goes, I’m going to make sure I hit those kids up.”
Here are the latest updates on former Boise State players, as well as some athletes from Idaho or Idaho colleges.
Ahmed Hassanein
Hassanein was drafted in the sixth round this year by the Detroit Lions and seemed to be impressing during preseason, but a pectoral muscle injury suffered in a preseason game put the defensive end on the sidelines.
The Lions waived Hassanein on Tuesday with an injury settlement. That means he’ll be compensated for the time he’s expected to miss through injury, and he’ll become a free agent upon being healthy. That could mean a return to Detroit or signing with another team.
Cam Camper
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Camper, a wide receiver, as an undrafted free agent, and he made one reception for 14 yards on five targets during the preseason. He was waived Tuesday alongside five other wide receivers.
Ben Dooley
Dooley spent six years on Boise State’s offensive line, but he couldn’t manage to nail down a spot on the Los Angeles Rams’ line after signing as an undrafted free agent. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder was one of two offensive linemen waived by the team Sunday.
Alexander Teubner and Seyi Oladipo
Safeties Alexander Teubner and Seyi Oladipo were both invited to rookie camps following the draft, Teubner with the Baltimore Ravens and Oladipo with the Miami Dolphins. Neither player earned a spot on the rosters.
Brett Rypien
Quarterback Brett Rypien graduated from Boise State in 2019 and has worn multiple NFL jerseys since then, including with the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.
His latest move was signing with the Minnesota Vikings in August 2024. He was waived to make room for former Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, but he was then resigned to the Vikings’ practice squad in January.
Rypien completed 15 of 29 pass attempts for the Vikings in the preseason, throwing for 151 yards and one interception, and was released over the weekend.
Avery Williams
Return specialist Avery Williams had a promising start to his NFL career with Atlanta, but missed the entire 2023 season because of a torn ACL. He signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles in March, but the Super Bowl champs waived him Tuesday.
Boise State players and those with Idaho ties on 2025 rosters
It’s not all doom and gloom for former Broncos. Whether it’s rookie Ashton Jeanty or seasoned running back Jeremy McNichols, plenty of former players will compete in 2025.
Here’s where they’ll be playing as the new season starts on Sept. 4:
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence - Seattle Seahawks
- FB/DL Scott Matlock - Los Angeles Chargers
- RB Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders
- RB Jeremy McNichols - Washington Commanders
- RB George Holani - Seattle Seahawks
- OG Ezra Cleveland - Jacksonville Jaguars
- OT John Ojukwu - Tennessee Titans
- S JL Skinner - Denver Broncos
- TE John Bates - Washington Commanders
- WR Khalil Shakir - Buffalo Bills
- WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. - New Orleans Saints
There are also multiple players who either attended high school or college in Idaho who’ll be playing in the NFL this year:
- DT Tommy Togiai (Highland HS, Pocatello) - Houston Texans
- LB Christian Elliss (Idaho Vandals) - New England Patriots
- LB Kaden Elliss (Idaho) - Atlanta Falcons
- LS Hogan Hatten (Idaho) - Detroit Lions
- TE Tanner Conner (Idaho State) - Miami Dolphins
- TE Colston Loveland (Gooding HS) - Chicago Bears
- TE Colson Yankoff (Coeur d’Alene HS) - Washington Commanders
- TE/QB Taysom Hill (Highland HS, Pocatello) - New Orleans Saints
This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 5:48 PM.
