Say ‘Cheese’: Boise State adds transfer pass rusher with sunny disposition to 2023 class

The latest player to join the Boise State football team’s 2023 recruiting class, Boston College transfer Kivon Wright, earned the nickname “Cheese” as a child.

It was a result of his sunny disposition, Manvel (Texas) High School football coach Kevin Hall told the Statesman on Tuesday. In other words, “he was always cheesin’,” Hall said.

“He’s always smiling, like when you’re a kid and your parents are trying to take a picture and tell you to say cheese,” Hall said. “He always has a good attitude, his work ethic and demeanor are good, and I can’t wait to see him play in Boise.”

Wright, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound edge rusher, let his mother, Chandell, handle announcing his commitment on Tuesday.

“My son is officially a Bronco,” Chandell posted on Twitter. “We are grateful for every offer received. A lot of thought and consideration went into his decision. I totally support his choice.”

Wright put his name into the transfer portal on Jan. 3. He’s joining the Broncos with four years of eligibility remaining after not appearing in a game at Boston College as a true freshman last season.

The native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, originally signed with Boston College as a three-star recruit in 2021, choosing the Eagles over scholarship offers from Boise State, Kansas, East Carolina, Houston, San Diego State, Tulane, Utah State, Colorado State, Marshall, Louisiana Tech and Louisiana.

The Broncos were high on Wright’s list back then, Hall said, adding that he had a feeling “Cheese” would end up playing on The Blue as soon as he entered the portal.

“I’m excited because it gives me an excuse to come up there and watch a game,” Hall said. “I’ve always wanted to come to Boise and see a game on that blue turf.”

Wright played defensive end at Manvel and helped the Mavericks make the state quarterfinals during his junior and senior seasons.

Manvel, about 20 miles south of Houston, has been a hotbed of college recruiting the past few years. Former Florida quarterback Kyle Trask is an alum, but he didn’t even start for the Mavericks because he was backing up D’Eriq King, who began his college career at Houston before transferring to Miami.

Wright’s senior class produced at least 13 scholarship players, including recruits that went to Stanford, Purdue, Utah, Houston and New Mexico State, according to Hall.

“Football is a big deal here in Texas, and it is an enormous deal at Manvel,” Hall said. “If you play here, you can play.”

Wright is the fourth transfer to join the Broncos’ 2023 class. The others are wide receiver Chase Penry (Colorado), safety Titus Toller (Wisconsin) and cornerback A’Marion McCoy (Laney College).

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, Idaho

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

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, Texas

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

DB Ty Benefield, 6-2, 185, Crean Luthern, Rancho Sanata Margarita, California

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

S Titus Toler, 5-11, 195, Wisconsin, Long Beach, California

LB Chase Martin, 6-1, 205, Thousand Oaks (California) High

CB Gabe Tahir, 6-2, 180, Kamiakin High, Kennewick, Washington

CB A’marion McCoy, 6-1, 170, Laney College, Atherton, California

WR Chase Penry, 6-1, 190, Colorado, Greenwood Village, Colorado

TE Matt Wagner, 6-5, 230, Rock Hill High, Prosper, Texas

Edge Kivon Wright, 6-4, 220, Boston College, Baton Rouge, Louisiana