Avalos: Boise State’s top pass rusher ‘working’ to return from injury; Texas CB commits

Boise State edge rusher Demitri Washington missed the Broncos’ win at Nevada over the weekend after suffering an injury in the previous game against BYU, but Broncos coach Andy Avalos said Monday that he may not be done for the season.

Avalos, who is generally tight-lipped about injuries, refuted reports from other media outlets over the weekend that cited anonymous sources claiming Washington’s problem was season-ending.

“He’s doing a good job right now and working to get back, even though we have sources out there that claim certain things,” Avalos said.

Washington backed up Avalos’ words with a Tweet Tuesday after practice that read, “Was awesome getting back out there!”

Washington and linebacker Ezekiel Noa collided on the Cougars’ first play of the game. Noa returned to the game in a limited capacity, but Washington didn’t return. Neither played Saturday at Nevada, and there’s no word whether either will be available Saturday at Wyoming (5 p.m., CBS Sports Network) in a big Mountain West showdown that likely will determine who plays in the league title game.

This isn’t the first time Washington has suffered what could be a serious injury. He suffered a torn ACL against Air Force in 2020 and missed the rest of that year. This was the first year in the fifth-year senior’s career that he was on the field for the entirety of spring camp, a result of previous injuries and COVID-19.

Washington does have the option to return next season thanks to the extra year of eligibility the NCAA offered because of the pandemic.

The 6-3, 270-pound native of Solana Beach, California, was tied with Noa with a team-high 4.5 sacks this season. He’s the second pass rusher the Broncos have lost in recent weeks. Weber State transfer George Tarlas suffered a season-ending hip injury against Air Force on Oct. 22.

Junior college transfer Deven Wright and redshirt sophomore Gabe Hunter replaced Washington in the lineup the past two weeks. Wright was credited with one of the Broncos’ four sacks against Nevada, and Hunter was credited with half a sack.

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Broncos add CB to 2023 class

Boise State added another tall, athletic defensive back to its 2023 recruiting class on Tuesday.

Nick Hawthorne — a 6-foot-3, 180-pound cornerback from Boswell, Texas — announced his verbal commitment on Twitter.

The Broncos’ past three additions to the class have been defensive backs. Cornerback Khai Taylor joined the class last Tuesday, and he was followed by safety Ty Benefield, who committed last Wednesday. Both check in at 6-2.

Hawthorne is a three-star recruit from Boswell High School in Texas, according to 247Sports. He’s the fourth recruit from the Lone Star State to join the class.

He took an official visit to Boise State on Oct. 1 and chose the Broncos over scholarship offers from Oregon State, Utah State, Colorado State and Miami (Ohio).

Hawthorne has posted nine interceptions and 41 pass breakups the past three seasons at Boswell, according to MaxPreps. He also competes on the track team and recorded a time of 11.22 seconds in the 100-meter dash last year.

Boise State’s 2023 recruiting class

QB CJ Tiller, 6-3, 200, Rancho Cucamonga (California) High

LB Wyatt Milkovic, 6-1, 233, Basha High (Chandler, Arizona)

OL Jason Steele, 6-4, 280, Murrieta Valley (California) High

RB Jambres Dubar, 6-0, 200, Anna (Texas) High

WR Jackson Grier, 6-0, 175, St. Thomas Aquinas High (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

CB Franklyn Johnson Jr., 5-11, 175, Little Elm (Texas) High

OT Kyle Cox, 6-6, 270, Eatonville (Washington) High

OT Carson Rasmussen, 6-5, 300, Owyhee High (Meridian)

TE Cayden Dawson, 6-5, 232, University City High (San Diego)

TE Oliver Fisher, 6-5, 225, Sherwood (Oregon) High

DL Michael Madrie, 6-4, 260, Argyle (Texas) High

DL Max Stege, 6-5, 250, Cologne Crocodiles, Germany

Edge Demanuel Brown, 6-4, 230, Dekaney High (Houston)

CB Khai Taylor, 6-2, 174, Pittsburg (California) High

DB Ty Benefield, 6-2, 185, Crean Luthern (California)

CB Nick Hawthorne, 6-2, 175, Boswell (Texas) High