‘Spirit-led decision’ put this transfer at Boise State. He’s started well
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Transfer safety Jaden Mickey forced a turnover and made 7 tackles vs EWU.
- Mickey earned increased playing time after Boise State’s loss to South Florida.
- Mickey eyes NFL future while adjusting quickly to Broncos’ evolving defense.
It took just four snaps for Boise State safety Jaden Mickey to introduce himself to his new fans in the home opener vs. Eastern Washington earlier this month.
Mickey began the 2025 season by playing just a single snap in Boise State’s 34-7 season-opening loss to South Florida, so on what was just his fifth total snap of the season, he made a difference.
Eastern Washington’s fourth play was a quick pass to its right side of the field. Mickey rushed quickly to hit the receiver, and then popped the ball out of that guy’s hands right to himself, a turnover that had Albertsons Stadium rocking and allowed the Broncos to build on their 7-0 lead.
“I think it was good to set the tone on The Blue on the first defensive drive out there,” said Mickey, a redshirt junior transfer from Notre Dame.
“So I think that gave us some energy,” he continued when talking to the media Wednesday. “And it was just fun to be out there and a part of the team. I felt like I was important in that moment.”
Mickey could find himself in a few more important moments this season, as the Boise State secondary continues to figure out what it is and who should be on the field in certain situations.
Redshirt senior Davon Banks was the Broncos’ starter at nickel to begin the season, but he struggled against South Florida, and then Mickey was quick to stake his claim. Along with his forced fumble and recovery, Mickey had seven tackles, all solo, and a tackle for loss.
“I’m really proud of how Jaden Mickey played in game two, with his urgency, his consistency,” Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said Monday.
Danielson added that while there are a couple of coverages that Mickey has to clean up technique-wise, he’s impressed with the transfer’s understanding of the defense, adjustments and leverage.
Mickey a quick study after coming to Boise State in summer
Mickey arrived at Boise State this summer, but he’s someone the coaching staff has had an eye on for a long time. He was recruited by the Broncos out of high school, when Danielson was still the defensive coordinator, but he opted to go to Notre Dame.
Mickey played in 24 games across his first two seasons, but saw action in just four games in 2024 before activating his redshirt season and entering the transfer portal. He played occasionally at nickel for the Irish but primarily as a corner.
A California native, Mickey also had Cal and USC as two options. But the door at Boise State remained open, and despite the secondary returning five upperclassmen, he was pulled to Boise State in what he described as a “spirit-led decision.”
“It gives a sense of comfort, already being aware of (Danielson), who he is as a person,” Mickey said. “... Getting myself familiar with the new coaching staff and whoever’s here now was a big thing, but it was definitely a plus being recruited out of high school.”
Danielson said he was impressed how quickly Mickey picked up the playbook, describing the process of joining the team in the summertime as similar to arriving “during a fire.”
Mickey already has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is working toward a master’s in organizational performance and workplace learning. His top goal, however, is to play in the NFL. He said he “doesn’t shy away” from competition and wants to be among the best in the country.
His next game will mean a different role for the Broncos, who will face Air Force this weekend. The Falcons’ triple-option offense will push Mickey out to boundary safety because the Broncos likely will look for a bigger body at nickel against the run — Mickey’s listed at 6 feet and 182 pounds.
“You’ve got to be clear, you’ve got to be disciplined, you’ve got to play fast. If you can do that, you can execute,” said Mickey, who recorded two tackles for Notre Dame in a 2023 win over Navy, which runs a similar offense.
“Have your eyes in the right spots, and all 11 men working the same. That’s because that’s what they’re doing on offense. They have 11 people doing the same thing, working together, and we’ve got to be the same on defense.”
Boise State at Air Force
- When: 5 p.m. Mountain time Saturday
- Where: Falcon Stadium (39,441, turf), Colorado Springs, Colorado
- TV: FS1 (Jason Knapp, Robert Turbin)
- Radio: KBOI 670 AM/KTIK 93.1 FM (Bob Behler, Pete Cavender)
- Records: Boise State 1-1; Air Force 1-1
- Series: Boise State leads 8-4
- Vegas betting line: Boise State by 10.5
- Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy, 20% chance of rain
