The answer arrived Sunday afternoon for fans of the Boise State Broncos football team. The question at hand: who will be the starting quarterback to open the 2024 season?
Would it be the highly touted USC transfer Malachi Nelson? He of the big arm but limited college game day experience. Or would it be Maddux Madsen, recovered from an injury suffered late last season?
Madsen it is, as head coach Spencer Danielson announced over the weekend.
For week one, at least.
Okay, I added the last sentiment. A gut feeling, strictly as an outsider of the locker room. Heading into fall camp, I had a comfort level with either Madsen or Nelson taking the snaps. Still do. And I believe both will see the field in 2024 and get their shot at being a permanent starter. (Unless Madsen is magically the second coming of Kellen Moore. Or the Broncos are winning with him playing mistake-free football.)
Trust is placed, too, in Danielson and the coaching staff. Specifically, this points to the man who has 30+ years of coaching experience. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter knows what's happening on the practice field so much more than us couch commentators. Time will tell if Madsen was the correct call, but it is safe to say Danielson and Koetter know what they're doing in giving the reins to the player who knows the playbook and offense better.
Madsen in '23
Playing in nine games before a knee injury sidelined him, Madsen had moments of hot and cold while dealing with a two-quarterback system.
Prior to the injury, Madsen had taken over as QB1 (officially or not). His play twice earned him Mountain West Freshman of the Week. The game against Fresno State was a highlight for Madsen, where he threw for 258 yards.
Earlier in the season, Madsen led spirited comebacks against UCF, before the Broncos lost on a last-second field goal, and Memphis.
Madsen, in his final two games of the '23 season, threw for 466 yards and three touchdowns (with one interception). Completion percentage did take a drop, with Madsen completing a shade over 50 percent (28-53).
For the season, Madsen passed for 1191 yards and nine touchdowns, completing 61.3 percent of his attempts.
Madsen, so it seemed, was going to be the starter to finish out last season, before the injury. Indecision by the staff hampered some of the progress and possibility for Madsen (and Taylen Green) prior. It will be interesting to see if Madsen and Nelson get sucked into some sort of two-quarterback vortex in 2024. Let's hope not, and that one takes control with stellar play.
Whoever it is, they will have plenty of star talent to choose from. Ashton Jeanty and Jambres Dunbar lead an impressive running back room. Plus, a strong offensive line goes a long way in producing success.
It is the wide receiver and tight end group, however, that could put this offense into another stratosphere.
Wide receivers and tight ends
Focus has been on the transfers who arrived this offseason to Boise State. Eager to see what Chris Marshall and Cameron Camper can do, yes. But it is key returnees who I am most looking forward to seeing produce in 2024.
Topping the list is Latrell Caples.
The redshirt senior was poised for a spectacular 2023 before a torn Achilles tendon ended his season before it began. This after leading the team in receptions (51) and receiving yards (549) in 2022.
Caples is at full go and has been the highlight of multiple scrimmages. Plus, with teams no doubt loading up to stop Jeanty and the running game, Caples should find plenty of good matchups.
Marshall, Camper, and Caples could form a terrific trio but three other returnees at the receiver position will also contribute.
Possibilities are endless with Prince Strachan, Austin Bolt, and Chase Penry. The combined numbers from last season are not wonderful. But all brim with potential and can stretch the field.
Strachan had 12 receptions for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Bolt started five of the last eight games, finishing with six catches for 175 yards and scores, with Penry hauling in five catches for 48 yards.
The tight end position, even as I feel we've been stating this for years, is also poised to make some noise. Matt Lauter closed the season strong with five catches for 80 yards and a touchdown in the final three games (prior to the bowl game). Lauter also had a standout performance earlier in the season against Memphis with three catches for 76 yards.
All told, there is a lot of talent surrounding Madsen and Nelson. On August 31 against Georgia Southern, the ball belongs to Madsen. It will be his to protect, knowing that Nelson likely isn't far behind.
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photo credit: Jason Haskins
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