Boise State’s first scrimmage of fall camp offered the coaching staff a measuring stick for where the team stands entering the season opener at Oregon, coach Spencer Danielson said. The session produced a mixed day for the quarterbacks, an active competition along the offensive line and several receivers who made strong claims for playing time.
- Coach Spencer Danielson called the scrimmage an evaluation and said depth charts will change after tape review.
- Maddux Madsen avoided turnovers and led scoring drives; Max Cutforth showed flashes but needs cleaner decisions; freshmen QBs are still developing.
- Akeem Wright had the standout receiver play and is pushing for a starting role; several other young receivers impressed.
- Right tackle, right guard and left tackle look settled; left guard and center remain open competitions.
- Statuses of Jeremiah Earby and Braxton Fely remain unclear after early‑August conversations with the coach.
Concise takeaways from the scrimmage
Danielson described Saturday’s workout as an evaluation that will influence depth-chart moves. He told reporters the staff would review the tape, adjust depth charts and continue evaluating in the next scrimmage.
Quarterbacks: steady but uneven
Danielson said the quarterback group did not provide many standout moments. Fifth‑year starter Maddux Madsen “operated well” and avoided turnovers while leading the offense on multiple scoring drives, according to Danielson. Senior Max Cutforth completed some notable throws but also made decisions the coach said “need to be cleaned up.” Freshman Cash Herrera is progressing but still has “operational areas” to work on, and freshman Jackson Taylor received limited reps.
Receiver room: several players standing out
Wide receiver emerged as one of the clearer position battles. Danielson singled out senior transfer Akeem Wright as having the “biggest play of the day, receiver‑wise,” and said Wright “continues to have a really, really good camp.” Boise State writers who covered the scrimmage noted Wright is on track to push for a starting role after a productive junior‑college career.
Other receivers Danielson mentioned as having strong showings were freshman Rasean Jones, sophomore AJ Jones and junior Cam Bates. Both Sports Illustrated and the Idaho Statesman reporting referenced the relative inexperience of the room: aside from Bates and sixth‑year Ben Ford, most of the group has little game experience at Boise State. Ford did not take part in the scrimmage but was described as “getting close” to a return from last season’s ACL tear.
Offensive line: some starters emerging, key jobs still open
The offensive‑line picture is beginning to take shape, yet Danielson allowed several spots remain contested. He indicated fifth‑year Daylon Metoyer (right tackle), fifth‑year Roger Carreon (right guard) and senior Tyler Ethridge (left tackle) appear to be staking out starting roles. Left guard and center were still open battles after the scrimmage.
Danielson cited several linemen he views as part of the competition: Jacob Tracy, Jason Steele, Carson Rasmussen, Stewart (Stu) Taufa and Zander (Zandy) Esty. Reporting identified Tracy as a sophomore who looks like a possible long‑term successor at right tackle, and suggested either Taufa or Esty could start at center while Steele and Rasmussen battle for left guard.
Roster and eligibility developments remain unresolved
Danielson also addressed two defensive players whose availability hinges on a recent court order that allowed some student‑athletes an extra year of eligibility. He said cornerback Jeremiah Earby and defensive tackle Braxton Fely discussed the possibility of returning before fall camp but he had not heard from either player since early August, leaving their statuses unclear.
What this means for Boise State's opening weeks
Taken together, the scrimmage reinforced that Boise State has clear strengths in its receiving corps and some continuity on the edges of the offensive line, while interior line spots and the quarterback depth chart remain unsettled. Danielson framed the scrimmage as an early assessment the staff will use to refine depth charts and scout assignments ahead of the Sept. 5 season opener at Oregon.
Timeline of reported events
- Early August: Danielson spoke with Earby and Fely about potential return under the new five‑year eligibility window.
- Aug. 5 onward: Fall camp practices continued; reporters noted receivers and linemen competing for roles.
- Aug. 15 (first scrimmage): Danielson held a post‑scrimmage media session summarising quarterback play, receiver standouts, offensive‑line competition and the uncertain returns of Earby and Fely.
- Following the scrimmage: Danielson said coaches would watch film, modify depth charts and continue evaluation in the second scrimmage.
What remains to watch
- How the staff adjusts depth charts after reviewing the scrimmage tape and in the next intrasquad game.
- Whether Ben Ford returns to game action and how his recovery affects receiver depth and game planning.
- The resolution of the left‑guard and center battles, and whether Jacob Tracy consolidates a starting role long term.
- Any further clarity on the availability of Jeremiah Earby and Braxton Fely following their early‑August conversations with Danielson.
Reporting and attribution
This article is based on post‑scrimmage remarks attributed to Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson and reporting from the Idaho Statesman and Sports Illustrated coverage of Boise State’s first fall scrimmage. Direct quotes in this piece are attributed to Danielson as reported by those outlets.
