Boise State Football: Two-deep 2017 depth chart projection
By Zach Bigalke
Receivers
Starting receivers: Cedrick Wilson, Sean Modster, A.J. Richardson
Backups: Akilian Butler, Bryan Jefferson, Brock Barr/Austin Cottrell
Boise State lost a lot of talent at receiver from last season’s roster. Though Thomas Sperbeck has yet to land with an NFL team after going undrafted this spring, his loss leaves a big hole in the receiving corps. The team also lost Chaz Anderson, who played a key role at receiver after moving from defensive back as a sophomore.
The door is now open for Cedrick Wilson, the only returning starter from last season, to become the prime target for Brett Rypien. Wilson averaged nearly 87 yards per game last year and led Boise State with 11 receiving touchdowns. He is the lone receiver who has much of a rapport with Rypien, and thus it is incumbent on him to have another 1,000-yard season as the rest of the group matures.
He will most likely be joined by Sean Modster and A.J. Richardson in the starting lineup. Modster caught eight passes for 135 yards in 2016, while Richardson had two catches for 42 yards and a score. Akilian Butler (three catches for 25 yards in 2016) is the only other player returning from last year with any catches. Bryan Jefferson was inactive as a redshirt freshman in 2016, while junior-college transfers Brock Barr and Austin Cottrell have mainly been special-teams players.
Starting tight end: Jake Roh
Backups: Alec Dhaenens
The Broncos are in better shape at tight end with redshirt seniors Jake Roh and Alec Dhaenens both returning in 2017. Roh looks like he might overtake Dhaenens for the starting position this year after a strong spring. Either way, the duo offers a compelling pair of tight ends who are adept at blocking for the running game as well as timely catches.