Trivia time! Name the Boise State position group that has been the most consistent and successful during the “Golden Age” of Bronco football.

I’ll give you two guesses.

Cleary the answer to this statement is subjective. However, there is little doubt the competition is between the STUD (defensive end/outside backer) spot and running back. Apologists can make strong cases for both positions. Since this is an opinion piece, I am going to take a side, which will become clear very soon. First, let me slap you with a couple of cold, hard facts.

Alexander Mattison is the third straight Boise State starting running back to declare for the NFL draft as a junior. He joins Jay Ajayi in 2014 and Jeremy McNichols in 2016 as the next Bronco ball carrier to test his mettle at the next level a year early. This is a testament to the recruiting prowess of Boise State, its RB development, and the type of offense BSU runs.

Boise State is the only program in the entire nation to have a running back rush for at least 1,000 yards in 10 straight seasons. Yep. Bronco legend Ian Johnson started the streak in 2008. Mattison racked up 1,415 yards and 17 touchdowns on a whopping 302 carries in 2018, despite a slow start to the season. He was the first BSU running back to claim a Mountain West Conference rushing crown.

So who’s next? Who will be the next great Bronco back to emerge from the blue and orange stable? When Ajayi declared for the draft in 2014, it was clear McNichols was the next man up. When McNichols declared, Mattison was obviously next in line. Heading into 2019, there’s no frontrunner. Boise State has not been a running back by committee team since Bryan Harsin has been the head coach. But if there ever was a year for that to happen, this could be it.

Harsin wants a bell cow back. That’s his style. Chances are high someone will emerge during spring football or fall camp and become the clear No 1. Who could it be? Let’s meet the candidates.

Most likely:

Robert Mahone (Prosper, Texas). Mahone is a redshirt sophomore who saw some time in 2018. He carried the ball 32 times for 128 yards, but no touchdowns. At 5 foot 10 and 204 pounds, he provided a nice change of pace from Mattison AND Van Buren. He did have a bit of a fumbling problem at times, but has a chance to develop into a solid back.



(Prosper, Texas). Mahone is a redshirt sophomore who saw some time in 2018. He carried the ball 32 times for 128 yards, but no touchdowns. At 5 foot 10 and 204 pounds, he provided a nice change of pace from Mattison AND Van Buren. He did have a bit of a fumbling problem at times, but has a chance to develop into a solid back. Andrew VanBuren (West Hills, Calif.). The true sophomore pounded his way to 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 34 carries as a true freshman last season. He split time with Mahone as Mattison’s back up. At 6 feet tall and 227 pounds, he has the build to wear down defenses as a game progresses, all while remaining relatively fresh. He is a goal line OC’s dream.



Dark horse (pun intended) players:

Danny Smith (Oxnard, Calif.). Smith was an under-the-radar pickup in the 2018 recruiting class for Boise State. He’s a 6-foot, 211-pound redshirt freshman who Harsin mentioned is right in the thick of things at the start of spring practices. He put up some good numbers at Oxnard High School. The most shocking is his 9.1 yards per carry. His presence has remained quiet during his time as a Bronco, but he could emerge as a stalwart in 2019.



(Oxnard, Calif.). Smith was an under-the-radar pickup in the 2018 recruiting class for Boise State. He’s a 6-foot, 211-pound redshirt freshman who Harsin mentioned is right in the thick of things at the start of spring practices. He put up some good numbers at Oxnard High School. The most shocking is his 9.1 yards per carry. His presence has remained quiet during his time as a Bronco, but he could emerge as a stalwart in 2019. George Holani (Bellflower, Calif.). Boise State loves its running backs from the state of California. Holani was a major recruiting pickup in the most recent recruiting class. He will be a true freshman when he steps onto campus this summer. At 6 feet and 193 pounds, ideally he would take a redshirt year to bulk up. But he has the talent to make an impact early.



Least likely:

Jake Shaddox (Redding, Calif.). The 5-foot-11, 215-pound transfer from Azusa Pacific is a walk on at Boise State. He doesn’t have a carry to his name as a Bronco, but he has been a solid contributor on special teams. Shaddox, a redshirt senior, has a sweet last name, but outside of garbage time I don’t see him playing much in the backfield.

(Redding, Calif.). The 5-foot-11, 215-pound transfer from Azusa Pacific is a walk on at Boise State. He doesn’t have a carry to his name as a Bronco, but he has been a solid contributor on special teams. Shaddox, a redshirt senior, has a sweet last name, but outside of garbage time I don’t see him playing much in the backfield. Spencer Keene (Emmett, Idaho). Keene had a phenomenal prep career at Emmett High School, mainly as a defensive player, and eventually walked on at Boise State. The redshirt freshman is 5 foot 11 and 228 pounds and has the pedigree to become a tackling machine on special teams. Much like Shaddox, his presence as a ball carrier will be very limited, if at all, especially this season.

(Emmett, Idaho). Keene had a phenomenal prep career at Emmett High School, mainly as a defensive player, and eventually walked on at Boise State. The redshirt freshman is 5 foot 11 and 228 pounds and has the pedigree to become a tackling machine on special teams. Much like Shaddox, his presence as a ball carrier will be very limited, if at all, especially this season. Keegan Duncan (Declo, Idaho). Duncan was an absolute monster in high school. I saw him personally multiple times and my jaw was on the ground more than it wasn’t. It was the football equivalent of Duke’s Zion Williamson dunking all over a team of 8 year olds. Along with Holani, he will be a true freshman in 2019. Here’s the dilemma; At 6 foot 3 and 225 pounds, he has the size to step in and play immediately. But, coming from a lower level of football in Idaho (2A classification), a redshirt year would do wonders to prepare him mentally. Of the two, Holani is more likely to play.



The Boise State offensive staff members have their work cut out for them this offseason. The Broncos begin the 2019 season facing Florida State and will have first-year starters at quarterback and, of course, running back. As I’ve stated in previous pieces, there is no shortage of talent at any position. I said earlier Harsin doesn’t do running back by committee, but that may be exactly how the Broncos kick things off against the Seminoles. It will be all hands on deck.

Within two or three games, however, I expect Van Buren to become THE guy and I foresee him securing Boise State’s 11th straight season with a 1,000 yard rusher.