Riding high after Boise State’s bowl win, these Broncos will step into larger roles

The world got a glimpse of the future last year in Boise State’s win over North Texas in the Frisco Bowl.

A long list of starters missed the game because of injuries, including star safety JL Skinner. To make matters worse, running back George Holani carried the ball just seven times before exiting with an injury.

Two young players were thrust into action on the biggest stage of their careers, and neither disappointed.

Safety Alexander Teubner, filling in for Skinner, led the team with a career-high 12 tackles. Freshman running back Ashton Jeanty carried the ball 28 times and set a Frisco Bowl record with 178 rushing yards.

Both are still riding high from their performances in Frisco, Texas, and have a chance to take on even bigger roles this season, Boise State coach Andy Avalos said.

“There’s no question that everyone in the building feels a little better coming off a bowl win,” Avalos said. “But for young guys like ‘Tubes’ and Ashton, that was their chance to show the world what they can do. The question now is, where do they go from here?”

Jeanty, a sophomore who played at Lone Star High in Texas, posted 821 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Since then, he’s made the Broncos’ weight room a second home. He’s benching 335 pounds and squatting more than 500, and he said Monday that he’s ready to build on last year.

“Last year was a lot of learning and growing,” Jeanty said. “I learned to push through and adapt to things. Whatever opportunities I get this year, I’m going to make the most of them and help the team win.”

Holani decided to put the NFL on hold for a year and return for his redshirt senior season, but he’s rehabbing from a shoulder injury and is limited at spring practice, opening the door for Jeanty to hog the starting reps.

Former Skyview standout Tyler Crowe may see some time as a short-yardage back again this year, and explosive freshman Jambres “Breezy” Dubar is expected to join the team this summer.

But Jeanty and Holani are going to carry the load again, running backs coach James Montgomery said Monday. He also said he’s open to using more packages that get them on the field at the same time.

“Just being able to see them operate and take the meeting room to the practice field, it’s been pretty spectacular,” Montgomery said. “They do a really good job with every detail, they’re very disciplined and I can depend on them to get the job done on the field.”

Skinner is off chasing his dream of playing in the NFL, leaving Teubner as the elder statesman in an open competition for his spot.

Teubner, a redshirt sophomore from Seaside, Oregon, made the most of his opportunities last season. He played in 13 games and finished the season with a career-high 37 tackles, but he saved his best for the Broncos’ final game.

Teubner said he knew a week ahead of time that he was going to start the bowl game, and he’s hoping to get more practice reps with the starters this season.

“Knowing I was going to get my opportunity to play and performing well for the team was definitely a confidence booster,” he said. “Every guy that comes here wants to get on the field, especially The Blue. It’s very humbling to have this opportunity, especially with my path and the turns it took to get here.”

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Teubner joined the Broncos as a walk-on in 2019. He spent the first two seasons of his career playing primarily on special teams, but he owned his role and did enough to earn a scholarship in 2021.

“I’ve worked my tail off for every opportunity,” Teubner said. “One of the special things about this place is just to get the opportunity to earn your stripes. There are a lot of qualities that you have to buy into, like a blue-collar work ethic.”

Teubner understands that he’ll never be the same physically imposing presence that Skinner was for the Broncos. He’s 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 194 pounds. Skinner is 6-4 and 220 pounds. But Teubner doesn’t let his stature slow him down, Boise State safeties coach Kane Ioane said.

“I think we’ve seen what we’re going to get out of Teubner every chance he’s had to step into the starting role,” Ioane said. “Whether it was against New Mexico or North Texas in the bowl game, he was ready.”

Teubner is competing with Wisconsin transfer Titus Toler and sophomore Seyi Oladipo to replace Skinner this year, but he may have a leg up on the competition. Ioane said Toler and Oladipo are also working at nickel this spring.