Earlier this week, ESPN published its list of the top 100 players for the upcoming 2025 college football season. Boise State was represented by two players in these rankings: junior edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan, who ranked No. 48, and junior offensive tackle Kage Casey at No. 63.
Casey is considered one of the highest-rated offensive tackle prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. He started all 14 games at left tackle during the previous season, helping Boise State finish with a 12-2 overall record, earn a second consecutive Mountain West title, and reach the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history. The 6-foot-5, 311-pound lineman has received preseason All-America honors from four different publications and appears on watch lists for both the Outland Trophy (awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman) and Lombardi Award (top lineman or linebacker).
Virgin-Morgan led Boise State’s pass rush as a sophomore, recording ten sacks last season. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound defender is also on the Lombardi Award watch list and has been nominated for both the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Among Group of Five schools nationwide, only six players made ESPN’s top 100 list: Jayden Virgin-Morgan and Kage Casey from Boise State; Trey White (San Diego State) at No. 36; Blake Horvath (Navy quarterback) at No. 50; Jason Henderson (Old Dominion linebacker) at No. 60; and Red Murdock (Buffalo linebacker) at No. 90.
The ranking was compiled by five ESPN college football experts: David Hale, Adam Rittenberg, Chris Low, Paolo Uggetti and Bill Connelly.
Additionally, nine other Boise State players have earned national preseason award nominations entering this season:
– Junior quarterback Maddux Madsen: Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s top quarterback), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (top upperclassman quarterback), Manning Award (nation’s top quarterback), Maxwell Award (national player of the year), Walter Camp Award (national player of the year).
– Freshman running back Sire Gaines: Comeback Player of the Year nomination; Doak Walker Award watch list.
– Senior wide receiver Latrell Caples: Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.
– Senior tight end Matt Lauter: Mackey Award.
– Senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely: Polynesian College Player of the Year.
– Junior edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan: Bronko Nagurski Trophy; Chuck Bednarik Award; Lombardi Award.
– Senior linebacker Marco Notarainni: Wuerffel Trophy.
– Junior safety Ty Benefield: Jim Thorpe Award.
– Senior cornerback A’Marion McCoy: Jim Thorpe Award.
– Senior long snapper Mason Hutton: Patrick Mannelly Award.
These recognitions indicate an active presence for Boise State athletes among national collegiate football accolades ahead of the new season.
