Earlier this week, ESPN published its list of the top 100 college football players for the upcoming 2025 season. Boise State University had two players included in these rankings: junior edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan at No. 48 and junior offensive tackle Kage Casey at No. 63.
Casey started all 14 games at left tackle last season. The Broncos ended their season with a 12-2 record, secured a second consecutive Mountain West Conference championship, and appeared in the College Football Playoff for the first time. At six-foot-five and weighing 311 pounds, Casey has earned preseason All-America recognition from four outlets and is listed as one of the top prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. He also appears on watch lists for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award.
Virgin-Morgan led Boise State’s defense during his sophomore year by recording ten sacks. Standing at six-foot-three and weighing 260 pounds, he is also on the Lombardi Award watch list as well as being nominated for both the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
These two were among only six Group of Five conference athletes named to ESPN’s top 100 college football players list. Other representatives included San Diego State edge rusher Trey White (No. 36), Navy quarterback Blake Horvath (No. 50), Old Dominion linebacker Jason Henderson (No. 60), and Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock (No. 90). The rankings were compiled by five ESPN analysts: David Hale, Adam Rittenberg, Chris Low, Paolo Uggetti, and Bill Connelly.
Entering the new season, nine other Boise State players have earned nominations or inclusion on various national preseason award watch lists:
Junior quarterback Maddux Madsen is up for multiple honors including the Davey O’Brien Award (nation’s top quarterback), Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (nation’s top upperclassman quarterback), Manning Award (nation’s top quarterback), Maxwell Award (national player of the year), and Walter Camp Award (national player of the year).
Freshman running back Sire Gaines is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year and Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back). Senior wide receiver Latrell Caples was named to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award list while senior tight end Matt Lauter made it onto watch lists for the Mackey Award.
Senior defensive tackle Braxton Fely is considered for Polynesian College Player of the Year; junior safety Ty Benefield is a Jim Thorpe Award nominee; senior cornerback A’Marion McCoy shares that distinction; senior long snapper Mason Hutton was selected to compete for Patrick Mannelly Award honors; junior edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan also appears on additional lists including those mentioned above; senior linebacker Marco Notarainni earned Wuerffel Trophy consideration as well.
Boise State continues to see strong representation in preseason accolades heading into this college football season.
