‘You just feel really terrible.’ Boise State loses key returner before start of fall camp

The start of fall football camp is always an exciting time for coaches and players, but it almost inevitably comes with a few pieces of bad news.

For the Boise State football team, that meant sharing the disappointment of a couple of season-ending injuries.

Boise State coach Andy Avalos announced during a press conference Monday that the Broncos will be without redshirt junior receiver Latrell Caples and redshirt freshman defensive tackle JJ Talo, who both sustained lower-leg injuries.

“My heart goes out to Latrell. I mean, the way he was playing toward the end of last season and the offseason he was having, you just feel really terrible for him as a person,” Boise State wide receivers coach Matt Miller said. “But I tell you what, he’s gonna have to change his role a little bit. He brings a lot of value to this organization still. His presence around our guys is going to be huge in terms of his leadership in that room.”

Caples led the Broncos in catches (51) and receiving yards (549) last season while adding four receiving touchdowns.

The Broncos have a strong group of returning veterans in Billy Bowens, Stefan Cobbs, Eric McAlister, Shea Whiting and Cole Wright but Miller is hoping to see contributions from some new faces this season, too.

Six-foot-5 freshman Prince Strachan could be one of those poised to gain playing time. He caught two passes for 56 yards and a long touchdown during the Broncos’ spring game in April.

“He’s totally all-in on this process, and it’s really paid dividends for him,” Miller said. “He’s going to continue to make those growth strides, too, just because he has that type of personality and that work ethic. I’m super excited about his growth and excited to see where he’s gonna grow over this next month as well.”

Avalos said Monday that most of the players who missed spring practice while rehabbing injuries will be ready for the start of fall camp, including nose tackle Herbert Gums, who started 13 games last season.

Avalos said four players will be limited as practice begins Wednesday: cornerback Markel Reed, wide receiver Cole Wright, linebacker Dishawn Misa and edge rusher Gabe Hunter. Reed sustained a season-ending injury for the second year in a row in last season’s opener at Oregon State.

Wide receivers Austin Bolt and Ben Ford will miss the start of fall camp, but they’re expected to be on the field before the season opener Sept. 2 at Washington, Avalos said. Bolt, Idaho’s Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2019, sustained a broken leg against Oregon State last season. Ford sustained a knee injury during fall camp last year.

Front and center

With the departure of key players on the offensive line, such as center Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez, who medically retired, and left tackle John Ojukwu, who signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent, don’t be surprised to see some players shift positions this season.

Redshirt sophomore Mason Randolph, who played right guard last season, is expected to step in at center, Avalos revealed Monday.

“Man, that guy loves football. We have to turn the lights off and kick him out of here in the evenings because he’s in here all the time,” BSU offensive line coach Tim Keane said. “… He got a lot of good experience last year playing guard and learned the schemes and techniques and now he can kind of bump into a little bit more of that leadership role of having him make the calls and do a little bit more communication.”

Broncos to benefit from senior analysts again

Former Boise State and NFL coach Dirk Koetter proved invaluable last season as a senior offensive analyst when the Broncos parted mid-season with offensive coordinator Tim Plough.

While the Broncos don’t anticipate the same in-season turmoil, they’ll benefit once again from a pair of senior analysts. Ron Collins is back for a second year as the defensive senior analyst, while Avalos announced earlier this month that Lance Anderson will fill the role of offensive senior analyst.

Anderson has a wealth of experience, including stops at Idaho State, Bucknell, Saint Mary’s, Utah State, San Diego and, most recently, Stanford. With the Cardinal, he was the recruiting coordinator from 2007 to 2013 and Willie Shaw Director of Defense from 2014 to 2022. He added the title of associate head coach in 2018 and was the interim head coach at the end of 2022.

“They bring this experience that they help the staff grow,” Avalos said. “They help the coordinators very specifically in this role. They’re two guys that can handle big picture all the way down to the very detail.”

Competition is on for QB2

With redshirt sophomore Taylen Green fully entrenched at quarterback heading into his second season as a starter, part of the intrigue of fall camp will be seeing who emerges as his backup.

Redshirt freshman Maddux Madsen and true freshman CJ Tiller appear to be the front runners for the No. 2 position, according to offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan.

“I think you got a chance to see Maddux in the spring game,” Hamdan said. “He does certain things at that position that probably nobody in that room does. I think he’s an old-school, throwback guy who can manage the pocket. He’s extremely accurate and extremely tough. He’s done a tremendous job.”

“CJ Tiller, for the years we’ve probably been here, is as talented as a freshman from a physicality standpoint,” Hamdan continued. “So those two guys have done a great, great job. We’re excited about their competition and we’re excited about the competition in the room overall.”

Broncos take advantage of Toler’s versatility

Wisconsin transfer Titus Toler is listed as a safety on Boise State’s 2023 roster, but his versatility could mean he’ll see the field at a different position altogether.

Boise State defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson said Toler is going to start fall camp at nickel, where he’ll compete with junior Seyi Oladipo to replace longtime starter Tyreque Jones.

“He can play almost any safety spot or the nickel position,” Danielson said. “He’s gonna be in full competition going into fall camp.”