Running back and Fresno State transfer, Malik Sherrod, provides versatility
TAMPA, Fla. – Boise State’s visit to Raymond James Stadium on Thursday will mark the school’s third trip to the Sunshine State. The Broncos defeated Florida State, 36-31, to open the 2019 season in a game that was originally scheduled to be played in “neutral” Jacksonville before approaching Hurricane Dorian resulted in it being relocated to Tallahassee. The Broncos’ 2021 opener was at UCF, another 36-31 final, though not in their favor.
Ahead of a first trip to Tampa, coach Spencer Danielson had plenty of good things to say about the Bulls during his press conference Saturday.
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“I think the world of South Florida and I told our team that it is going to be one of the most talented teams we see this year,” said the 36-year-old, entering his second full season at the helm. “We know they are a really good football team, one of the best football teams we are going to see all year.”
Danielson’s team is pretty good, too. The No. 25/25 Broncos are seeking a 28th straight winning season, their final one in the Mountain West before moving to the Pac-12 along with six other schools, including five football-playing institutions, in 2026. Here are a few key players on an experienced and deep squad.
Maddux Madsen, QB
A first-year starter last season, Madsen threw for 3,018 yards to lead the Mountain West. He threw 23 touchdown passes and only six interceptions, half of them against Penn State in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss. He made one start while backing up Taylen Green in 2023.
Kage Casey, LT
The redshirt junior, who is married to a former Boise State volleyball player, started all 14 games at left tackle last season. He earned anywhere from honorable mention to second-team All-America postseason recognition, and heads into 2025 with multiple first- and second-team preseason accolades.
Malik Sherrod, RB
Keep an eye on this guy. The Fresno State transfer is among a few running backs Danielson can employ with Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty in the NFL, though Sherrod may prove to be the best of the bunch. In 2023, Sherrod ran for 966 yards, caught 44 passes and one of his eight kick returns went for a 95-yard TD, which was against Boise State. The sixth-year senior preserved a redshirt by entering the portal after four games with Fresno State a year ago.
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“He’s quick, explosive, he’s got twitch,” said USF defensive coordinator, Todd Orlando. “Their system, their style of play, I think whoever is going to be back there is going to have success.”
The style of play Orlando refers to is Boise State’s bread and butter for much of the last quarter century or so. Specifically, success in the run game as well as limiting it on the other side of scrimmage is imperative to making all other phases effective.
“One of the things we predicate ourselves on is stopping the run because you will not win a championship if you can’t run and you can’t stop it,” he said. “(Boise State is) kind of the blueprint and I think everyone, especially us going into our third year (as a staff), would want to see our programs (operate) like that.”
Colton Boomer, K
Remember him? UCF fans enjoyed bellowing “Boom” when the Lake Mary native put his foot into a field goal attempt or extra point. He made 30 of 42 field goal attempts in two-plus seasons with the Knights before entering the portal after four games last year to preserve a redshirt. He made his lone field goal attempt (27 yards) and all five extra points in UCF’s 46-39 win at RJS when he was a freshman in 2022.
Jayden Virgin-Morgan, Edge
The Broncos had quite the duo at end last season in two-time First-Team MWC selection Ahmed Hassanein, now with the Detroit Lions, and Virgin-Morgan. The latter, also a First-Team MWC selection, returns after piling up 10 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
“He’s earned everybody’s attention,” said USF offensive coordinator, Joel Gordon. “He’s kind of the headliner. We know that he has been productive and we will have to do a good job of executing against him. He’s a guy that can definitely hurt you.”
A’Marion McCoy, CB
The redshirt senior is among those on the Bednarik Award watchlist given to the nation’s top defensive player. And for good reason. McCoy was second nationally last season in breaking up 14 passes.
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