What Boise State’s preseason means for Broncos’ transfer portal future

Boise State had a large transfer portal haul last cycle with 19 incoming players from the Division I, Division II, Division III and junior college levels since the end of the 2025 season.

Several of the transfers—including defensive tackle Mikaio Edward (Central Washington), left tackle Tyler Ethridge (Colorado State-Pueblo), defensive back Roman Tillmon (South Dakota) and wide receiver Akeem Wright (De Anza College)—are on track to start this season.

At least five other transfers will likely be on the two-deep: linebacker Logan Brantley (Kansas), offensive lineman Zander Esty (Oregon State), running back Juelz Goff (Pittsburgh), wide receiver Darren Morris (Southern University) and cornerback JeRico Washington Jr. (Kennesaw State).

The immediate impact of numerous transfers should help Boise State and head coach Spencer Danielson win future recruiting battles in the portal. But make no mistake, the Broncos will remain a developmental program under Danielson.

“For us, I know that our best players have been guys that develop here,” Danielson said after last season. “Our NFL Draft picks have been guys that we developed here. Doesn’t mean that we’re not going to find someone in the transfer portal that’s going to do a really good job … and we’ve had really good guys in the transfer portal. But our best players here, historically, have been guys that come here and developed here.”

Danielson knows where his bread is buttered. Boise State’s last eight NFL Draft selections were players who spent their entire college careers with the Broncos, including 2026 fourth-round selection Kage Casey.

Last October, the NCAA adopted a new 15-day winter transfer portal window in January. The spring transfer window was removed, leaving college football with a single portal window.

Danielson believes the change will help Boise State retain its best players and aid overall roster management.

“Having one transfer portal window, a huge win for college football, period, end of story,” Danielson said last season. “Wherever it gets put, I saw potentially the first 10 days of January, just having one is huge for college football. Whenever that happens, you know what your team is. And for these young men, too, if they’re leaving, go. If you’re going to stay, make that decision and stay, be where your feet are, grow to be the best version of yourself. It’s going to help college football.”

Boise State lost 18 players to the portal in January.

Safety Ty Benefield (LSU) and wide receiver Chris Marshall (Arkansas) both headed to the SEC and are expected to start. Offensive tackle Hall Schmidt (UCLA) is also ticketed to start while Kaleb Annett could win UCF’s backup quarterback job.

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