As Boise State prepares for a transition into the new Pac-12 following three straight Mountain West championships, the program’s returning talent is already capturing national attention. A total of eight players from the Boise State Broncos have secured spots on preseason award watch lists heading into the 2026 college football campaign, underlining the program’s status as a preseason favorite to win a fourth straight title entering the expanded conference landscape.
Leading the charge for the Broncos is fifth-year senior quarterback Maddux Madsen, whose starting experience has earned him major national recognition. Madsen has been named to the watch lists for the Maxwell Award, honoring the national player of the year, and the Wuerffel Trophy, which recognizes college football players who combine community service and leadership on and off the field. Additionally, Madsen stands among the candidates for the AFCA Good Works Team and the East-West Bowl 1000.
Having logged 26 career starts for the Broncos, Madsen enters the upcoming season boasting a 20-6 record as a starter. Over his career, he has completed 507 of 834 pass attempts for a 61 percent completion rate, totaling 6,586 passing yards with 50 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, complemented by 423 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.
National Award Nominations Highlight Returning Star Power
Madsen is not the only Bronco drawing high-profile recognition ahead of the 2026 season. Junior running back Dylan Riley joins his quarterback on the Maxwell Award watch list. Riley put together a campaign last year, rushing for 1,125 yards and 10 touchdowns on 195 carries while earning second-team all-MWC honors, alongside 15 receptions for 149 yards and two additional scores.
Along the trenches, fifth-year senior offensive guard Roger Carreon has been selected for the Outland Trophy watch list, recognizing the nation’s top interior lineman. Despite battling injuries throughout the previous season, Carreon anchored the right side with 13 starts, logging 855 snaps—the third-highest total among Boise State offensive players—en route to all-MWC honorable mention.
On the defensive side of the ball, fifth-year senior edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan has captured nominations for both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the defensive player of the year, and the Lombardi Award, presented to the nation’s top lineman or linebacker. Virgin-Morgan enters his final collegiate season with 120 total tackles, including 31 tackles for loss, alongside 16 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups as a two-time all-MWC selection.
Secondary Standouts and Leadership Recognition
The Broncos’ defensive secondary features another prominent name on a national ballot, with fifth-year senior defensive back Jaden Mickey earning a spot on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list for the nation’s top defensive back. Mickey recorded 38 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and five pass breakups across 11 starts at nickelback last season, and he is slated to transition to cornerback for the upcoming campaign.
Depth and leadership across the roster are further reflected by multiple players joining the East-West Bowl 1000 watch list. Alongside Madsen, Carreon, Virgin-Morgan, and Mickey, fifth-year seniors Matt Wagner at tight end, Daylon Metoyer at offensive tackle, and JeRico Washington Jr. at cornerback were also selected.
At the helm, head coach Spencer Danielson earned a spot on the preseason watch list for the Dodd Trophy for the second straight year. The award honors head coaches who succeed on the field while also emphasizing the importance of scholarship, leadership, and integrity.
| Player | Position | Class | Key Watch Lists & Honors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maddux Madsen | Quarterback | Fifth-Year Senior | Maxwell Award, Wuerffel Trophy, AFCA Good Works Team, East-West Bowl 1000 |
| Dylan Riley | Running Back | Junior | Maxwell Award |
| Roger Carreon | Offensive Guard | Fifth-Year Senior | Outland Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000 |
| Jayden Virgin-Morgan | Edge Rusher | Fifth-Year Senior | Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, East-West Bowl 1000 |
| Jaden Mickey | Defensive Back | Fifth-Year Senior | Jim Thorpe Award, East-West Bowl 1000 |
With preseason accolades mounting and expectations high for the program’s debut campaign in the revamped conference, the Broncos are wasting no time preparing for a grueling schedule. Boise State will officially kick off the 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, facing a test on the road against Oregon at Autzen Stadium.
What are your thoughts on Boise State’s chances in the new Pac-12? Share your perspective in the comments below and join the discussion with fellow fans.
