Boise State Broncos Earn Record 20 Preseason All‑Pac‑12 Selections

Boise State Broncos have secured a historic 20 spots on the Pac‑12 preseason All‑Pac‑12 teams, the most of any program in the conference, and edge rusher Jayden Virgin‑Morgan earned a fourth‑team Athlon Sports Preseason All‑America honor.

Who made the first‑team list?

The Broncos lead the first‑team slate with nine players. Redshirt junior edge rusher Jayden Virgin‑Morgan joins sophomore running back Dylan Riley on the top unit. Virgin‑Morgan, who posted 16 sacks and 96 tackles over two seasons, was also named to the Athlon Sports fourth‑team All‑America after a modest 2025 campaign of six sacks and 56 tackles. Riley stepped into the starting role in 2025, rushing for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns, plus two receiving scores, totaling 12 touchdowns for the year.

Which players earned second‑team honors?

Quarterback Maddux Madsen landed on the second team after a 2,300‑yard, 18‑touchdown season that was cut short by injury. He missed the final three regular‑season games but returned strong in 2024, throwing over 3,000 yards and guiding Boise State to a College Football Playoff berth, where the Broncos fell 31‑14 to Penn State. Wide receiver Ben Ford, tight end Matt Wagner, and linemen Daylon Metoyer and Jason Steele also received second‑team nods.

What about the lower‑tier selections?

The third‑team honors went to linebacker Jake Ripp and defensive back Derek Ganter Jr., while the fourth team featured wide receivers Cameron Bates and Rasean Jones, plus defensive lineman David Latu. Additional first‑team spots include running back/AP Sire Gaines, offensive lineman Roger Carreon, edge rusher Max Stege, linebacker Boen Phelps, defensive back Jaden Mickey, kicker Colton Boomer, and punter Oscar Doyle.

How does this shape Boise State’s 2026 outlook?

With a deep roster recognized across all three phases of the game, the Broncos enter the season with confidence. The preseason accolades suggest a balanced attack: a dynamic rushing duo in Riley and Gaines, a veteran quarterback in Madsen, and a pass rush anchored by Virgin‑Morgan and Stege. Defensively, the presence of Phelps, Mickey, and the newly honored backs points to a unit capable of generating turnovers.

What’s next for the Broncos?

Boise State opens the 2026 campaign against the Oregon Ducks on September 5, 2026. The matchup will test whether the preseason hype translates into on‑field performance against a top‑tier Pac‑12 opponent. Fans will be watching to see if the honored players can live up to expectations and keep the Broncos in contention for a conference title.

Why does this matter for Boise State fans?

The sheer number of preseason selections underscores the program’s recruiting success and player development under head coach Andy Avalos. It also raises the stakes for each game, as opponents will target the highlighted athletes. For the Broncos, the honors serve as both a reward for past effort and a motivator to prove they belong among the conference elite this season.