Early wake-ups. Late-summer heat. Ear-piercing whistles. Grueling workouts.
All part of the demanding rhythm of fall camp, but a sure sign that Boise State football is getting closer.
Boise State’s 2026 fall camp officially began on Aug. 3, with their two intrasquad scrimmages played on Aug. 15 and 22, all in preparation for the team’s season opener at Oregon on September 5.
This year marks the school’s first season in the revamped Pac-12 conference, and head coach Spencer Danielson was blunt when it came to what this year will demand from the program.
“The reality is, we haven’t done anything yet,” Danielson said. “We’ve won three straight conference championships, we’ve done a lot of good things, but we also have a lot of things we have to learn and grow from… What we did last year was not good enough.”
The Broncos will navigate their new conference with a relatively even mix of returning starters and new faces.
Redshirt senior quarterback Maddux Madsen returns for his third straight year as the Broncos’ signal-caller, with explosive running backs Sire Gaines and Dylan Riley returning to the anchor backfield.
Three starting offensive linemen, Jason Steele, Roger Carreon and Daylon Metoyer, return as well, with wide receiver Ben Ford back in the fold as a reliable option in the passing game.
Another pass-catcher, Akeem Wright, has quickly turned heads in camp, with Danielson praising the De Anza College transfer after the first scrimmage, saying he’s continued to have “a really, really good camp.”
Wright, fittingly nicknamed “Nitro” for his blazing speed, previously played at the Division III and junior college levels.
His journey to Boise was rooted not only in hard work, but in the confidence that the Baltimore native has shown since he stepped foot on campus.
“Being in [Division III] kept me motivated. Seeing my competition, I always thought to myself, ‘I don’t belong here,’” Wright said.
Cam Bates, another wide receiver, has made multiple highlight-reel catches throughout camp and could make a bigger impact come the regular season.
Bates, who played in all 14 games for the Broncos last year, has been “reaping the fruits of his labor,” according to Danielson, noting the work the junior put in during the offseason.
Fellow receivers Darren Morris, a transfer from Southern, and Rasean Jones, a true freshman, have also performed well, highlighting one of the most dynamic, albeit inexperienced position groups.
In the trenches, Colorado State-Pueblo transfer Tyler Ethridge appears to be the frontrunner to replace Kage Casey at left tackle.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound Ethridge was a standout for the ThunderWolves, anchoring the line as a starter for three years.
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Max Stege, nose tackle David Latu and edge rusher Jayden-Virgin-Morgan all return to anchor the Bronco front, with linebacker Boen Phelps and defensive back Jaden Mickey providing experience on the back end.
With four of last year’s starting defensive backs gone, the secondary has become another competitive position group.
Derek Ganter Jr., a transfer from Eastern Washington who’s garnered praise from the defensive staff, is ready to make an impact.
“It’s a blessing of an opportunity. This is what I asked for,” Ganter said. “I wanted to play with the best and have the opportunity to earn a bigger role. Everything is in front of me, and this is exactly what I asked for.”
The opportunity Ganter speaks of is similar to that of the entire program.
For Boise State football, this year’s move to the Pac-12 brings a new slate of opponents, unfamiliar territories, a higher level of competition and ultimately, uncertainty.
And with two weeks remaining before the Broncos’ season opener at Oregon on September 5, there’s still work to be done.
Position battles will take shape, long days will test the roster and each rep will separate the difference-makers from the rest.
Until the first whistle in Eugene, fall camp will continue to develop and prepare the team, shaping the uncertainties that lie ahead in Boise State’s inaugural Pac-12 season.
