Mountain West Football

Former Michigan quarterback Alex Orji has committed to UNLV, he told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

He has two seasons of college eligibility remaining.

One of three quarterbacks to start for the Wolverines in 2024, Orji entered the transfer portal in December after Michigan flipped top-ranked quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood from LSU.

Orji traded off the QB1 spot with Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle as the Wolverines offense struggled during his redshirt sophomore season in 2024.

He played his final game with Michigan during the Wolverines' ReliaQuest Bowl game against Alabama, completing two passes and throwing an interception in relief for an injured Warren.

Orji finished out his Michigan career having made 20 appearances and three starts. He will now join Dan Mullen, who was hired as UNLV's head coach in December, in Las Vegas.

The Rebels entered last season with Matthew Sluka slated to start, only to lose Sluka to an NL conflict after three games. Hajj-Malik Williams took over to lead the Rebels to their first 11-win season in the Mountain West.

With Williams having declared for the 2025 NFL draft, however, the Rebels will have to start over under center in 2025.

Orji will now join a quarterback room currently staffed by Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea, who entered the transfer portal after losing his starting spot at UVA to Tony Muskett at the end of last season.

Both signal callers are likely hoping the reputation Mullen earned as a quarterback whisperer while coaching players like Tim Tebow at Florida and Dak Prescott at Mississippi State can help them take the next step in their development next fall.

Orji and Colandrea could both be competing for UNLV's QB1 spot when the Rebels open camp this summer.

To hear outgoing Boise State offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter tell it, it's not easy to be Cinderella in the current age of college football.

Bob Lundeberg of Sports Illustrated relayed comments from Koetter's Monday appearance on Boise Sports Talk Radio (KTIK 95.3 FM) in which the outgoing OC said Oregon offered one of the team's players $700,000 in a tampering effort to get him into the transfer portal.

"I know for a fact that just last week, after the Fiesta Bowl, one of the key starters on defense got a call from the Oregon Ducks offering him $700,000," he said. "(Offensive tackle) Kage Casey, Casey's probably going to be a first-round pick. He would've probably been a high pick this year, but I do think he needs another year to develop … I'm sure he could've got close to a million dollars in the portal."

Casey has not publicly declared whether he is entering the 2025 NFL draft, transferring or returning to Boise State.

To put the $700,000 figure for one player in perspective, Koetter said Boise State's "salary cap is $2 million" for the entire roster. "But the people we're competing against, maybe not in our current conference, but where we're going and who we're expected to compete against, it's as high as $20 million."

There has been some speculation that Oregon had a roster budget of approximately $23 million for this season in the age of transfer portal movement and name, image and likeness opportunities for college athletes.

Ultimately, the Ducks advanced as far as the Broncos did in the College Football Playoff. Oregon lost to Ohio State in the quarterfinals, while Boise State lost to Penn State in the same round.

The Broncos also lost a head-to-head showdown with the Ducks by just three points in September and then won 10 straight to take the Mountain West title and earn a spot in the 12-team CFP field.

That success is partially a credit to head coach Spencer Danielson's ability to keep important players such as star running back Ashton Jeanty on the roster. Jeanty was a Heisman finalist and ran for a stunning 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on the season.

As for Koetter, he is stepping down as the offensive coordinator this offseason but said he will still remain with the team as a senior analyst. Co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Nate Potter was promoted to the full-time OC role.

Koetter is a longtime coach who was most notably the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for three seasons from 2016 through 2018. He was also the head coach of Boise State from 1998-2000 and Arizona State from 2001-06 in addition to stops as the OC for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Atlanta Falcons.

In the age of the portal and increased roster movement, the richest teams in college football are going to do what they can to make sure the best players are suiting up for them in a given season. That doesn't mean tampering is the correct thing to do, but it is surely an undeniable reality in the modern age of the sport.

It is just another thing for Boise State and other teams that often find themselves in the underdog role from a national perspective to deal with, which makes the team's efforts in 2024 all the more impressive.

The best running back in college football is taking his talents to the NFL.

Boise State star Ashton Jeanty declared for the 2025 NFL draft on Tuesday, forgoing his senior season. B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranks him as the No. 1 running back and No. 7 overall player in the 2025 class.

After a sensational sophomore season in 2023 in which he ran for 1,347 yards, Jeanty reached even greater heights this year and became one of the most promising future superstars in football. He finished second in the voting for the Heisman Trophy behind Colorado star Travis Hunter and rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, shattering the Boise State program record of 1,823 yards set by Jay Ajayi in 2014 and falling shy of Barry Sanders' single-season FBS rushing record of 2,628 yards set in 1988.

Jeanty's spectacular season propelled the Broncos to a 12-2 finish and their first Mountain West title since 2019. Boise State earned the No. 3 spot in the College Football Playoff and lost to Penn State 31-14 in the quarterfinals. Jeanty had 30 carries for 104 yards in the loss with no touchdowns and fumbled the ball twice, losing one of them.

It's easy to predict that Jeanty will have a successful career at the pro level thanks to his incredible array of skills. As B/R NFL scout Dame Parson stated:

"Overall, Ashton Jeanty is a high-volume and playmaking running back. Between his bowling ball-esque frame and innate contact balance, Jeanty's game translates incredibly well to the NFL. The ability to create for himself with the ball in his hands is electrifying. He fits today's run offenses with wide zone and pin-pull gap schemes. Jeanty is a star-caliber bell-cow running back who can shoulder the load for an NFL rushing attack."

After Tuesday's announcement, NFL teams will undoubtedly be excited about the possibility of adding Jeanty to their roster. While the running back position has been devalued in the league in recent years, a prospect like Jeanty is too good to pass up. The team that takes a chance on him will be getting a franchise cornerstone to build around for years to come.

The Penn State Nittany Lions are considered the favorites against the Boise State Broncos in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup between the teams.

And that's just the way Spencer Danielson likes it.

"If nobody gives us a chance, if the point spread continues to grow, whatever," the Boise State head coach told NBC Sports' Nicole Auerbach on Sunday. "Please count us out. That's what Boise State football is built on, people thinking we can't do anything, and we work our tails off to find a way to prove people wrong. I believe in our team. And we use the phrase, 'Put the ball down.' Doesn't matter the stadium or what fans are there on the 31st, put the ball down. We're going to be ready."

Boise State has a history of upsetting Power 4 teams in postseason play, most famously in a pair of Fiesta Bowl victories over Oklahoma in the 2006 season and TCU in the 2009 campaign. None would be as big as defeating Penn State to move onto the CFP semifinals, however, even if few people are predicting that result.

"Oh, we shouldn't be here, or, oh, this is going to be an easy road [for Penn State]—great, love it!" Danielson said. "That's what this place is built on, the chip on their shoulder. Please count us out."

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty appreciates the support of Barry Sanders.

Jeanty is chasing the legendary running back's all-time single-season rushing yards record from his time at Oklahoma State. When Sanders took to X to root for Jeanty to break the record, the 21-year-old was quick to respond and thanked Sanders for his support.

Sanders' all-time record is 2,628 yards, and Jeanty is currently at 2,497.

Sanders' sensational season came in 1988, when he earned those 2,628 yards on 344 carries and also added 37 touchdowns while helping the Cowboys go 10-2 and win the Holiday Bowl. He won the Maxwell Award, the Water Camp Award and the Heisman Trophy while being named an All-American.

Jeanty has earned his 2,497 yards on 344 carries while also adding 29 touchdowns and leading Boise State to a 12-1 record and a No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff. He also won the Water Camp Award and was named an All-American but finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Boise State will face Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 to advance to the semifinals. Entering the matchup with the Nittany Lions, Jeanty needs 131 rushing yards to break Sanders' record.

HEIGHT: 6'0"

WEIGHT: 205

POSITIVES

— Dynamic playmaker with the football in his hands, dangerous after the catch.

— Effective and reliable quick passing game threat who finds and settles into voids in the coverage shells.

— Long speed to stress cornerbacks on the vertical plane.

— Short area quickness and suddenness as a route runner.

NEGATIVES

— Expanding his release package to dispose of physical press cornerbacks quickly.

— Suffered a season-ending foot injury in October, cutting his senior season short.

— Protecting his chest and shoulders against handsy defenders at the line of scrimmage.

— Converting downfield contested catch situations by improving body positioning and strength at the catch point.

NOTES

— Born Feb. 18, 2003

— 2023: First-Team All-Mountain West

— Unranked WR recruit in 2022 class, per 247Sports

— Started 21 games for Utah State

OVERALL

Jalen Royals is a dynamic play-making wide receiver with a well-proportioned NFL frame.

Royals is a good and precise route runner with short-area quickness that puts pressure on cornerbacks. He generates separation with suddenness out of his breaks against man coverage. Facing soft press or off coverage, Royals' foot quickness puts defenders in conflict and tests their reaction time. He attacks defenders' airspace before using sudden movements to break past or away from them.

Royals is effective with the ball in space. His functional play strength is showcased after the catch—leading to broken tackles in the open field. Royals' speed and acceleration defeat pursuit angles. He is agile and elusive in space, making upfield defenders miss and generating big plays. Royals' playmaking is versatile; he aligns in multiple positions and can be fed targets in various ways to help the offense. He is a threat on down-the-field routes and manufactured touches, wide receiver, and tunnel screens.

Against tight press alignment Royals gets stuck hand fighting in the contact window. Improving his use of hands will increase his likelihood of clearing physical press corners quickly at the LOS. By not using his hands, corners have easy access to his chest and shoulder pads to slow down/impede forward progress. Royals is inconsistent at reeling in contested catches down the field. Wingspan and arm length concerns surface in 50-50 situations. Royals can be outmuscled at the catch point, limiting his effectiveness playing on the outside against NFL corners.

In conclusion, Jalen Royals is a position-flexible receiver with long speed and dynamism desired in big-play weapons. Royals projects as a starting Z-receiver who can bump into the slot against favorable matchups.

GRADE: 7.5 (High-level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 54

POSITION RANK: WR7

PRO COMPARISON: Jayden Reed

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

After spending the last three years as a college football analyst for ESPN, former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is officially returning to the sidelines.

UNLV announced on Thursday that it has hired Mullen as its next head coach and he will be introduced at a press conference on Friday.

Mullen brings 13 years of experience as a head coach to the Rebels and most recently served as Florida head coach from 2018 to 2021. He previously worked as offensive coordinator of the Gators from 2005 to 2008 before being hired as head coach of Mississippi State, where he worked from 2009 to 2017.

Mullen is replacing Barry Odom, who led UNLV to a 10-3 record this season and accepted the head coaching job at Purdue on Dec. 8. The team will face Cal (6-6) in the Art of Sport LA Bowl on Dec. 18.

"I am very excited to be a part of the UNLV family," Mullen said in a statement. "These past two years, a foundation has been set to compete for championships, including being just one game away from making the College Football Playoff, which is a great testament to where we plan on continuing to be. My expectation is to keep that excitement and momentum alive and produce a team for the University, the City of Las Vegas and the State of Nevada that is going to compete for championships on a regular basis."

Mullen has a career coaching record of 103-61 and a 7-3 record in bowl games with three appearances in New Year's Six bowls. He will have a few holes to fill on the UNLV roster, as key players like quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, wide receiver Ricky White III, linebacker Jackson Woodard and defensive back Jalen Catalon are all departing the program after this year.

Former 5-star quarterback recruit Malachi Nelson is on the move again.

ESPN's Pete Thamel confirmed Thursday that Nelson is entering the transfer portal after spending the 2024 season at Boise State. He joined the Broncos after signing with USC as a true freshman.

Nelson shouldered high expectations with the Trojans. He was the No. 5 quarterback in 247Sports' composite rankings for the 2023 class and seemingly in line to succeed Caleb Williams once the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner left for the NFL.

The California native decided to seek an exit, however, as Miller Moss emerged as the likely candidate to start in 2024.

Selecting Boise State appeared to be a savvy choice for Nelson. The Broncos had to replace leading passer Taylen Green, and as we've seen, they possessed the talent to reach the College Football Playoff.

But Maddux Madsen wound up winning the starting job in the summer and didn't give it up. Madsen threw for 2,714 yards, 22 touchdowns and three interceptions.

As the backup, Nelson made three appearances and went 12-of-17 for 128 yards.

He has the opportunity to return to Boise State despite entering the portal, but that probably hinges on whether Madsen, a redshirt sophomore, decides to bolt after the Broncos' playoff run ends.

Given his recruiting profile and the fact he'll have three years of eligibility, one presumes Nelson will have some interested suitors. But there's no question his stock has taken a massive hit over the last two years.

Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez is calling for the College Football Playoff selection committee to grant a first-round bye to Boise State instead of Arizona State.

Nevarez stated on Saturday night that CFP contention "should not be contingent upon a conference patch or the logo on the helmet."

"Boise State's body of work this season, including an 11-game win streak, has earned it one of the top four seeds ahead of the Big 12 champion," Nevarez wrote.

The Broncos, led by star running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty, defeated UNLV in the Mountain West championship game on Friday.

Arizona State is also campaigning for a top-four playoff seed after triumphing over Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game on Saturday.

Boise State was listed at No. 10 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, ahead of both No. 15 Arizona State and No. 16 Iowa State.

ASU is a two-loss team, falling short of the Broncos' 12-1 record. But Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark has previously stated he believes that his conference's champion should automatically receive a first-round bye over any champion from the Group of 5.

When speaking to reporters ahead of the Big 12 title game, Yormark said the selection committee is "paying attention to logos versus resumes," per Stephen Hawkins of the Associated Press.

"Strength of schedule should matter and wins against Power Four opponents should matter — 74 percent of the Big 12 wins were against Power Four opponents this season," Yormark said, per Hawkins. "Meanwhile, the Group of Five is 11-80."

Yormark added: "In no way should a Group of Five champion be ranked above our champion."

The final CFP rankings will be announced on Sunday. Whichever teams receive a top-four seed will receive a first-round bye and an automatic trip to the playoff quarterfinals.

The Big Ten and SEC champions are set to earn the top two seeds, while the ACC, Big 12 and Mountain West winners will likely be competing for the final two spots at the top.

Arizona State had an overall harder strength of schedule, but had two losses, including one without starting quarterback Sam Leavitt. Boise State faced on average easier competition but lost its only game to No. 1 CFP ranked team Oregon.

The 12-team playoff and bowl game lineup will be announced during the selection show broadcasted on ESPN Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.

Ashton Jeanty continued his historic season on Friday night.

Jeanty helped No. 10 Boise State defeat No. 20 UNLV by the final score of 21-7 in the Mountain West Championship game.

He finished with 209 yards on 32 carries, with 132 of his yards occurring in the first half alone. This included a 75-yard rushing touchdown that gave the Broncos a 21-0 lead through two quarters.

The 21-year-old became the all-time career rushing leader in Boise State history during the contest, breaking a record that had stood since 1980 (h/t Shaun Goodwin of the Idaho Statesman).

With finalists for the Heisman Trophy set to be announced on Monday, fans continued to call for Jeanty as the eventual winner of the award over Colorado Buffaloes two-way standout Travis Hunter.

With the victory, Boise State earned its second consecutive Mountain West title. Jeanty and the Broncos will also be heading to the College Football Playoff.