The Broncos held their spring game on Saturday and some questions were answered while some remain a mystery. The Defense dominated (as expected and as is normal in the spring games) But the offense showed off some sparkly new pieces that could make a big impact this season.
Let's take a look at my projected 2022 Depth Chart (Post Spring Game):
OFFENSE
POSITION
|
1st String
|
2nd String
|
3rd String
|
QB
|
Hank Bachmeier SR
|
Jaylen Green RS FR
or
Sam Vidlak RS FR
|
Andy Peters RS SO
|
RB
|
George Holani SO
|
Ashton Jeanty FR
|
Tyler Crowe RS JR
|
WR-X
|
Stefan Cobbs RS SR
|
Eric McAlister RS FR
|
Zamondre Merriweather FR
|
WR-H
|
LaTrell Caples RS SO
|
Billy Bowens RS SR
|
Kaden Dudley RS FR
|
WR-Z
|
David Koetter 6th YR SR
|
Austin Bolt RS SO
|
Shea Whiting RS JR
|
TE
|
Riley Smith RS SR
|
Kurt Rafdal 6th YR SR
|
Tyneil Hopper RS SR
|
LT
|
John Ojukwu 6th YR SR
|
Jacob Golden RS JR
|
Nathan Cardona RS SO
|
LG
|
Ben Dooley RS JR
|
Dallas Holliday RS JR
|
Jacob Golden RS JR
|
C
|
Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez RS SR
|
Will Farrar 6th YR SR
|
|
RG
|
Will Farrar 6th YR SR
|
Garrett Curran RS JR
|
Dalton Lins RS SR
|
RT
|
Cade Baesford RS SR
|
Joseph Amos RS FR
|
Julian Simpson RS JR
|
DEFENSE
POSITION
|
1st String
|
2nd String
|
3rd String
|
DE
|
Shane Irwin 6th YR SR
|
Deven Wright JR
|
Andy Nwaoko RS SO |
NT
|
Divine Obichere 5th YR SR
|
Herbert Gums RS SO
|
Michael Callahan RS JR
|
DT
|
Scott Matlock RS SR
|
Jackson Cravens RS SR
|
Ahmed Hassanein SO
|
EDGE
|
Demitri Washington RS SR
|
George Tarlas 6th YR SR Or
Isaiah Bagnah RS JR
|
Dylan Herberg RS SR
|
WLB
|
Brandon Hawkins RS SR
|
Jai Jones RS FR
|
Dishawn Misa FR
|
MLB
|
Zeke Noa 6th YR SR
|
Rejhan Tatum RS FR
|
DJ Schramm RS SR
|
N
|
Seyi Oladipo SO
|
Rodney Robinson RS SO
|
|
CB
|
Tyric LeBeauf RS SR
|
Kaonohi Kaniho RRS SO
|
Isaiah Bradford RS FR
|
CB
|
Caleb Biggers 5th YR SR
Or
Markel Reed SR
|
Jared Reed 6th YR SR
|
Jalen Neal RS FR
|
FS
|
Tyreque Jones 6th YR SR
|
Rodney Robinson RS SO
|
Alexander Teubner RS JR
|
SS
|
JL Skinner SR
|
Zion Washington RS FR
|
Jaylen Clark RS SO
|
SPECIAL TEAMS
POSITION
|
1st String
|
2nd String
|
3rd String
|
K
|
Jonah Dalmas JR
|
Will Ferrin RS FR
|
James Ferguson FR
|
P
|
James Ferguson FR
|
Gavin Wale RS JR
|
Will Ferrin RS FR
|
Kickoff
|
Jonah Dalmas JR
|
Will Ferrin RS FR |
|
KR
|
Stefan Cobbs RS SR
|
Ashton Jeanty FR
|
Taylor Marcum FR
|
PR
|
Stefan Cobbs RS SR
|
Kaden Dudley RS FR
|
LaTrell Caples RS SO
|
A few notes:
· Our QB room behind SR Hank Bachmeier is very young and inexperienced. Interestingly, Vidlak was the first QB on the field after Hank. Is Green further behind then we originally thought? Either way both Vidlak and Green really struggled during the spring game and have a long way to go. Hopefully Hank can stay healthy so Boise only has to use the backups to help them get experience for next season.
· The RB depth chart was clarified during the spring game. Holani was not part of the game out of precaution so It was all freshman Ashton Jeanty and he looked like a seasoned college veteran on Saturday. Crowe was the main back behind Jeanty and will likely serve as a goal line/short yardage back. It is also worth noting that Hank ,referring to Holani and Jeanty, said "they'll be a great duo this season."
· After losing all 3 starting WRs, Boise has 3 new starters who have modest experience and a bunch of highly talented, yet unproven, young guys waiting in the wings. Stef Cobbs showed that he is the next lead receiver for the broncos leading the team with 6 catches for 61 yards. LaTrell Caples could also see a breakout year. Davis Koetter will likely start opposite Cobbs and although He isn't as electric as other receivers on the roster, he is consistent and reliable. Behind them is Austin Bolt who was targeted often at the spring game but struggled to pull in several catchable balls. Also Eric McAllister and Shea Whiting should see more playing time this season.
- TE is another position that became very clear on Saturday. Starter Riley Smith was kept out of the game and it was 6th year senior Kurt Rafdal that saw the field first and most often pitting him at the man to beat for the #2 TE spot. Next up was Tyneil Hopper and after Hopper we saw a sprinkling of guys like Matt Lauter and Casey Kline.
· Both lines have tons of experience and will hopefully be much improved. The O-line was missing several starters but once they are healthy, there is no reason not to have an elite line with LT John Ojukwu, RT Cade Baresford, C KHG, and guards Will Farrar, Ben Dooley, and Garret Curran. Also watch Redshirt Freshman Joseph Amos, who started the spring game, to join the rotation at tackle.
- The Defensive line returns a lot of experience as well in guys like Scott Matlock, Shane Irwin, Devine Obechere, Ahmad Hassanein, and Demetri Washington. As well as new guys like George Tarlas, Braxton Fely, and Deven Wright and should be really good this season.
· LB is a spot of concern with so little experience. Zeke Noa is the clear Starter in the middle. Brandon Hawkins looks poised to take over the weakside spot but we could see more of a rotation there. The Broncos will be looking to get talented young guys like Rejhan Tatum, Jai Jones, and Dishawn Misa some playing time too.
· The secondary should be stellar again. JL Skinner and Tyreque Jones will be playin on Sundays after this season as could Tyric LeBeauf, Markel Reed and Caleb Biggers. Kaonohi Kiniho, Isaiah Bradford, and Jalen Neal all look to bring a great future to the CB position.
- Special teams looks great with Jonah Dalmas back and James Ferguson-Reynolds looks like the real deal punting the ball. If either of those two cant go for some reason Will Ferrin looked good as well. The only concern her is at Longsnapper. LS Daniel Cantrell is gone and was probablt the most underrated star on the team the last few seasons. His snaps were always on point and he was usually the first man in the face of the returner. Mason Hutton who will take over for Cantrell looked serviceable but seemed to struggle with his distance and aim while snapping often causing the punter to reach way down or over for the ball. If he isn't able to zero in on His snaps we could see some fumbled snaps and/or blocked punts this fall.
Overall The defense is likely the best in the conference this season and the offense still has some work to do as the fall approaches. The run game should be improved under new/old RB coach Keith Bonapha and with the addition of Ashton Jeanty and the Recieving corps may take a slight step back without Khalil Shakir meaning more work for Hank.
Players of the Spring Game
Offense - Stefan Cobbs - Cobbs was easily the most productive player on the offense.
Honorable mentions - Ashton Jeanty, Hank Bachmeier, Cade Baresford
Defense - JL Skinner - It's JL Skinner what more needs to be said. He was making plays all over the field including a redzone INT.
Honorable mentions - Seyi Oladipo, Tyric LeBeauf, Caleb Biggers
Special Teams - Jonah Dalmas - 52 yards, the distance of his first field goal of the day.
Honorable mentions - James Ferguson-Reynolds
What are you thoughts? Share them below.