Boise State Football Depth Chart Preview: Quarterbacks

In college football the one constant qualification for team success above all else is quarterback play. If you don’t a definite starter and a solid backup, you’ll always be that team that has a weakness akin to that of an injured animal exposed in the wild. Luckily for the Boise State Broncos, that isn’t an issue here.

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Starter: Brett Rypien

Former four-star quarterback Brett Rypien had the greatest season for a freshman quarterback in Bronco history. All-time great Kellen Moore had a better season as a redshirt freshman but as the highest rated commit in Bronco history, Rypien is arguably to Boise State as to what Andrew Luck was to Stanford, a program changing talent. 20 touchdown passes to only eight interceptions with a 63 percent completion rate as a true freshman is salivating for this coaching staff. Due to his NFL bloodlines, Rypien is afforded the trust of his teammates and coaches that most sophomores dont have.

His chemistry with players like running back Jeremy McNichols, tight end Jake Roh and wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck is uncanny and what helps this offense even more is that the All-Mountain West First team selections were practically unstoppable in their only year playing together. If the Washington native can improve his decision making, pocket poise and mobilty, the Broncos can improve in their offensive efficiency. According to ESPN statistics, the Broncos finished 54th in the country in offensive efficiency with a 52.8 rating.

He has to get stronger in his lower body to better negate coverage sacks, reduce injuries and put a rebuilding defense in the best spots possible as they navigate relentless Mountain West defenses like San Diego State and tough non-conference rivals like the Washington Huskies.

Rypien is the unquestioned leader so its truly all about not regressing and coming out stronger and more efficient than ever. For a guy who went 8/9 for 126 yards against Idaho in his first college game and finished his freshman year with a Poinsettia Bowl Offensive MVP award, Rypien has superstar potential for a program that has searched for it since Kellen Moore graduated.

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Thomas Stuart

The redshirt junior played solidly in limited action last season and his duel threat ability keeps the Broncos offense a threat. What Stuart lacks in Rypien’s arm talent and mechanics through nine games, he made up for by going 12-for-18 for 114 yards, an a touchdown and ran for 62 yards and three touchdowns.

Stuart made his collegiate debut against Idaho State, going 9-for-13 for 69 yards and a touchdown with 11 rushes for 46 yards. Ran six times for 23 yards and a touchdown at the Poinsettia Bowl against Northern Illinois. His running ability keeps the identity of the offense intact and prevents teams from loading the box or dropping into zone coverage to take away Sperbeck. He’s a great backup and has proven to be a solid starter in case of injury or in mop up duty.

The Rest of the Gang.

Anthony Upshaw

The redshirt sophomore was a great player for Moorpark High school but as it stands, Upshaw won’t see the field until his senior year, if he stays that long. He’ll be relegated to the scout team an can shine in that way. He has some duel threat ability but he’s too raw to even usurp Stuart in time.

Jake Constantine

The freshman quarterback out of Camarillo was a three-star commit. Due to the transfer of Alex Ogle, the Broncos desparately needed another pro-style quarterback for the future. He won’t see the field realistically for the next three years so it will be interesting to see if he stays on or transfers.