Bronco Nation News is counting down the 25 most important players to the Boise State football team in 2025. First up in our series is No. 25, defensive end Max Stege.
The departure of Ahmed Hassanein leaves a massive void at the front of Boise State’s defense. Who starts in his place remains to be seen, but Max Stege is the most proven option and the first player on our list of the most important players to the Boise State football team in 2025.
Stege, a Junior from Cologne, Germany, played 193 snaps last season for the Broncos, the most of any returning defensive end. He finished with 11 pressures and three sacks in a reserve role and is poised to take a leap in production in Hassanein’s absence. Stege is the only defensive end with significant playing experience as a Bronco, and after getting a majority of the first-team reps in spring could be in line to become the starter.
With the departure of Hassanein (and Tavion Woodard behind him), Boise State needs to replace 824 snaps and 9.5 sacks at defensive end. Behind Stege are a litany of transfers and unproven returners. Idaho transfer Malakai Williams seems to be the other threat to start at defensive end, but at 245 pounds is a little undersized for what this staff prefers in their defensive ends, and will likely get more reps at STUD.
Stege is a proven pass rusher for the Broncos. He earned a 75.8 grade on true pass sets (no play action or screens) which is the highest of any returner, regardless of position. In those situations, he had slightly better production than Hassanein. Stege edged out Hassanein in pressure rate (14.1% to 13.8%) and in win rate, which is how often you’re beating your blocker (28.2% to 25%). Losing an NFL player is never easily replaced, but the past production suggests that Stege should keep the pass rush firing on all cylinders this season.
Where Stege will have to improve this season is in his run defense. Hassanein is an elite run defender off the edge, earning an 80.3 run defense grade per PFF. Meanwhile, Stege’s grade was just a 56.4, considered below replacement level. Stege has the size and strength to be a good run defender, but struggled with tackling, missing 22% of tackles on run plays. With improvement, Stege has the upside as a pass rusher to be an all-Mountain West type player if he wins the job.
Whether or not he wins the starting job, Stege will likely have a large role in Boise State’s defense once again in 2025. Replacing Ahmed Hassanein won’t be easy, but Max Stege will be one of the key players tasked with ensuring the nation’s No. 1 pass rush continues firing on all cylinders despite the losses.
BNN LIVE DISCUSSED MAX STEGE ON TUESDAY. WATCH THE SHOW HERE:
