Boise State needs big improvements on special teams. Here’s who’s stepping up
One of the biggest needs for Boise State football in 2026 is improvement on special teams.
The Broncos’ punt and kickoff units have been a sore point for a couple of years, going all the way back to September 2024, when return TDs for Oregon resulted in a 37-34 loss. Last season’s big problem was an inability to create anything explosive on special teams.
In 2025, out of 134 FBS teams, Boise State’s kickoff return ranked 93rd; kickoff return defense 122nd; punt return 111th; and punt return defense 47th.
“The biggest issue is to finish. So that’s the part: We’ve got to finish,” said Boise State special teams coordinator Stacy Collins, who’s entering his third straight season with the Broncos. He coached special teams at Boise State in 2021 before leaving for Penn State.
“We were close. Nobody cares about close. We’ve got to find ways to make those explosive plays.”
Part of that process is finding the right guys to be impact players on special teams. Here’s who Collins said is stepping into key roles heading into the third week of spring football.
Punt and kickoff return
Former running back Malik Sherrod was the Broncos’ main return man in 2025, but the sixth-year transfer failed to make much of an impact. Sherrod averaged 5.21 yards on punt returns, with a season-long of 17 yards, and 21.4 yards on kickoff returns, with a best of 41.
Part of the return issues certainly came from blocking woes ahead of the ball, but Boise State is looking to incorporate some more familiar faces — and speed — in the return game in 2026.
Collins listed three players who have impressed as potential kick returners: junior running back Dylan Riley, junior wide receiver Cam Bates and sophomore wide receiver Quinton Brown.
Both Riley and Bates returned kickoffs in 2024, with Riley scoring a 96-yard touchdown against Utah State. Riley didn’t return kicks last season but led the team in rushing with 1,145 yards.
Bates showed explosiveness and good running ability last season on end-around plays in the offense.
“Dylan, his freshman year, did some really good things, but struggled catching the ball. He’s made a ton of growth, and he spent a lot of time on that. He’s got elite speed,” Collins said. “Those are all three guys that have developed more and more in an offensive role.”
Collins’ list of punt returners was a little longer. It included some familiar names, including Brown and redshirt senior defensive back Jaden Mickey, who was a backup returner at Notre Dame. There also were younger names: four-star wide receiver Terrious Favors, redshirt freshman receiver Gavin Packer and freshman defensive back Madden Soliai.
“There are a lot of guys we’re sorting through in the early part of spring, but we’ll continue to hone in on that,” Collins said. “What you’ve got to be careful of is getting too many returners back there, because those guys that are not going to return for you have value on special teams.”
A new long snapper in town
Boise State got comfortable with long snapper Mason Hutton, who played in all 56 games since becoming the starter in 2022.
With his graduation, the Broncos have turned to redshirt senior Caden Kellow, a transfer from Weber State. Kellow played for the Wildcats alongside senior punter Oscar Doyle, who transferred from Weber State ahead of the 2025 season.
“Caden’s done a nice job. He’s done a nice job fitting into our system,” Collins said. “He’s got a history with Oscar. ... That never hurts when you’re dealing with specialists.”
Two strong legs at kicker
Boise State likely will head into the 2026 season with redshirt senior Colton Boomer at kicker, but competition at the position is still alive and well.
Boomer was the Broncos’ main kicker last season, but went just 11-for-15 on field goals, with all four misses coming between 40 and 49 yards. Redshirt freshman Canaan Moore played in one game, against Eastern Washington, hitting one of his two field-goal attempts and all four extra points.
Collins said the duo missed just one field goal between them during Saturday’s practice. He also said Boomer has been booming the ball up to 80 yards on kickoffs.
“Those guys continue to compete, continue to get after each other,” Collins said. “... Boomer’s got an elite, elite leg there. ... But Canaan’s made great growth.”
