In advance of Saturday’s Boise State Spring Game, Bronco Nation News is looking at five storylines for fans to watch. Next up is quarterback Maddux Madsen:
Last season, Maddux Madsen was the most polarizing figure in Boise State fandom. After beating out Malachi Nelson for the starting quarterback job, Madsen provided steady quarterback play in front of Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty. However, Madsen never flashed elite quarterback play. He played mistake-free football, but did very little to elevate Boise State’s offense. This year, there is no Jeanty behind Madsen. His role will be much larger, and for the Broncos to get back to the College Football Playoff, he will need to be better than he was last year.
Madsen finished last season with 3,018 yards, 28 total touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Madsen was at his best off play action, completing 63.8% of his passes for 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, earning him an 81.5 PFF Grade on play action (Generally, 80+ is all-conference caliber). When running straight drop back offense, things didn’t look as great – completing just 61.3% of his passes with 12 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and 17 turnover-worthy plays (PFF’s terminology for fumbles, interceptions and dropped interceptions).
Essential to Boise State’s success this season will be Maddux Madsen’s development. Without Jeanty and leading wide receiver Cam Camper, I think Madsen needs to take a leap for the Broncos to get back to the playoff. Especially as a drop back passer. Madsen was serviceable last season, playing mistake-free football that allowed Jeanty to carry the offense. Without Jeanty’s 36 runs of 15+ yards, it will be on Madsen and the passing game to create more explosives to keep the offense moving.
This will be the first time we’ve seen Madsen as the starter in a Spring Game. In 2023, he was a freshman coming into redshirt but still went 8/10 with the backups. Last year, he did not participate to recover from the knee injury he sustained midseason. Now, Madsen is the clear starter and needs to be in command of this offense. With the defense looking to find starters along the defensive line and in the secondary, Madsen should have a comfortable day on Saturday.
Specifically, I want to see Madsen push the ball down field and make some big time throws. PFF credited Madsen with just 9 big time throws last season, he functioned well within the offense, but didn’t make many plays that elevated the offense. Boise State needs him to elevate this year, and the Spring Game will give us the first glimpse whether or not he will do that this season.
