BOISE (Statesman of Idaho) In the final days of Boise State football’s fall camp, head coach Spencer Danielson is still assessing possible starters in preparation for the team’s August 28 season opening against South Florida.
Danielson had a press conference on Tuesday night before the Broncos’ second scrimmage on Thursday. Here were several important position battles and some of the most important things the coaching team was still working on.
What Danielson wanted in this week s scrimmage
From last week’s first scrimmage to the second, Danielson stated that he hoped to see progress in all three phases. Danielson listed some of the choices the coaching staff hoped to make, although he did not name any particular players.
Danielson stated, “We’re going to adjust the receiver rotation even more.” Some excellent database administrators are stepping up at the back end. For example, who will actually be the twos? Who will be included in our dime package? Who will participate in our speed packages?
The Broncos’ two main weapons in the receiving game are anticipated to be redshirt junior Chris Marshall and redshirt senior Latrell Caples. Danielson stated that defenses will have to adjust to handle both receivers.
Redshirt senior Ben Ford, sophomore Cam Bates, and freshman Quinton Brown were the three receivers he named on Tuesday as having made an impression during fall camp.
Danielson said that they are trying to decide between redshirt freshman Kaleb Annett and redshirt sophomore Max Cutforth as the starting quarterback. Last week, Danielson observed that while Cutforth was the star of the first scrimmage, Annett was also performing well during camp.
Finally, he is pressuring players on the bubble to perform well in the last scrimmage in order to secure a position on special teams or as a backup.
Some guys are on the bubble, even when it comes to the trip roster, Danielson noted. You’ll join us in Tampa Bay if you can convince yourself to start on a special team or develop into a good backup on two or three. You’ll be at home watching if you don’t.
Who s competing at linebacker?
Marco Notarainni, the team captain and redshirt senior, is certain to start at linebacker, but the main debate throughout the summer has been who would start next to him. Prior to his May transfer to North Carolina, Andrew Simpson occupied the position. Redshirt sophomore Boen Phelps and redshirt junior Jake Ripp have excelled in camp, Danielson said Tuesday. Additionally, he said that sophomore Clay Martineu needed to be more consistent with his physicality even though he was making some progress.
After the April spring game, Ripp remarked, “I played linebacker here for a couple of years, and coming back just felt natural.” I believe it was beneficial for me to practice my pass rush and work with the edge room. However, returning to linebacker was a natural match for me.
Special teams questions exist
At kicker, where Jonah Dalmas was a starter for years, Danielson still lacks a definitive response.
According to Danielson, Thursday will be a significant day for our placekickers, kickoff, and, in turn, kicking field goals. All the way to kickoff, that contest will continue.
Colton Boomer, a redshirt junior kicker who transferred from Central Florida, has been sidelined since the beginning of August due to injury. In the event that he was unable to participate in the scrimmage, Danielson stated that the team aimed to get him well by the following week.
In Boomer’s place are freshman Canaan Moore, who joined the team this summer and produced some huge kicks, and redshirt junior Jarrett Reeser, who had some inconsistent play early in camp but performed well this week in practice, Danielson said.
Caples, sophomore running back Dylan Riley, and sixth-year transfer running back Malik Sherrod appear to be the three possible kick returners. Bates and Brown might also be mentioned, Danielson said.
Danielson stated, “I would say Malik Sherrod is playing at a high level in the return game.” However, Cam Bates, Dylan Riley, and Latrell (Caples) are performing admirably.
