Boise State Football: Depth Chart Predictions

With most events around the country being canceled or postponed, we at Mountain West Connection will look to provide you with material during these difficult times. Some of it will be looking ahead; some of it will be funny. We realize that this is a serious time, but we hope we can provide you with some content that can be an escape. With that being said, here is how I see the Boise State depth chart playing out at the start of the 2020 season. There will likely be some grad transfers added in the coming months, as Boise State still has at least five scholarships open.

Quarterback

1-Hank Bachmeier

2-Chase Cord

3-Zach Matlock

Unless something drastic happens, Bachmeier will be the starting quarterback. He showed flashes of greatness throughout the season and would have been an all-conference quarterback if it weren’t for injuries. Chase Cord will be the backup if he is healthy, and Zach Matlock is a walk-on who might be in line for one of those available scholarships. I anticipate that the Broncos will try to add a transfer, and that person should factor into this.

Running Back

1-George Holani

2-Andrew Van Buren

3-Robert Mahone

Holani was clearly the bell cow by season’s end. It also appeared that Andrew Van Buren had passed Mahone, who battled injuries. All three of these guys have proven to be capable backs and should see carries in the coming season.

Wide Receiver

1-Kahlil Shakir

1-CT Thomas

1-Octavius Evans

This one was also pretty easy to predict. I think these three veterans will occupy the depth chart for the entire season. But there are some younger guys like Stefan Cobbs, Shea Whiting, Khyeem Waleed, and Billy Bowens that should see significant action. Also, keep an eye on true freshman Latrell Caples. The true freshman will be hard to redshirt.

Tight End

1-John Bates

2-Tyneil Hopper

Boise State is still in the market for a JC or grad transfer at this position. Bates will be the guy, but Hopper showed that he can block last year. Will he be more involved in the passing game?

Offensive Line

LT-John Ojukwu

LG- Donte Harrington

C-Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez

RG-Garrett Curran

RT-Ben Dooley

This is the hardest unit on the team to project. Ojukwu is the only sure thing. I feel confident that Harrington (if healthy) and Gonzalez will start. Ben Dooley is one the highest rated offensive line recruits in Boise State history; he could be the next Ezra Cleveland. Junior college transfer Riden Leong will compete for a spot as well.

Defensive Line

STUD-Demitri Washington

NT-Scale Igiehon

DT-Jackson Cravens

DE-Aisa Kelemete

The Kelemete and Cravens picks are a bit of a gamble. Boise State has some junior college kids that can come in and compete for those spots. Kelemete has rarely been healthy since coming to Boise, but it appears that has changed as coaches were singing his praises heading into spring ball.

Linebacker

N-Kekaula Kaniho

MLB-Zeke Noa/Brock Miller

WLB-Riley Whimpey

Whimpey and Kaniho are locks, and Noa would be too if his health wasn’t in question. Brock Miller was a solid rotation linebacker at North Carolina State and will likely start if Zeke Noa isn’t ready to go. Josh Booker-Brown, Benton Wickersham, and Brandon Hawkins provide depth to a unit that should be the strength of the defense.

Defensive Backs

CB-Jalen Walker

CB-Avery Williams

S-Tyreque Jones

S-JL Skinner

Replacing Nawahine and Pierce will not be an easy task, but I have a sneaking suspicion that Boise State will be even better at safety next season. Jones has been a reliable backup the past two seasons, and JL Skinner showed flashes as a true freshman. Walker and Williams will be the starters next season, but Markel Reed will push Williams and if Chris Mitchell can stay healthy he will play. The corner position is the deepest it has been in years.

Specialists

K-Joel Velazquez

P-Gavin Wale

KR-Khalil Shakir

PR-Avery Williams

It looks like Boise State may have a grad transfer kicker coming in to push Velazquez, so that position will remain a question mark. Velazquez was the starting punter last season, but struggled mightily. I think Wale takes that spot this year. Williams will enter his fourth straight season as punt returner, and Shakir will fill in the hole left by John Hightower at kick returner.

How do you guys see the Boise State depth chart playing out? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.