Boise State coach Spencer Danielson indicated Tuesday that true freshman quarterback CJ Tiller will likely start Saturday’s LA Bowl against UCLA.
Speaking to the media Tuesday before the Broncos held their final practice in Boise ahead of boarding a flight for Los Angeles later in the day, Danielson said Tiller would get most of the first team reps in practice this week.
Tiller and walk-on Colt Fulton are the two quarterbacks competing for playing time with Taylen Green transferring to Arkansas and Maddox Madsen out with a knee injury.
“Still working through it with coach Hamdan today, but obviously CJ Tiller is going to get the majority of the one reps with Colt Fulton,” Danielson said. “It’s something we’ll evaluate throughout the week.”
Asked if he expected Tiller to start, Danielson said, “As of right now I do. But I promise you me and Bush talked this morning and going through who has the best week of practice and right now CJ will be getting the majority of the one reps, but just like every position, we have to create competition all the way up until kickoff.”
The 6-foot-1 hails from Gilbert, Arizona, but played his high school ball at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California. He was a 3-star prospect and a top-50 quarterback nationally in the 2023 class after completing 144 passes for 2,154 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior.
He was an early enrollee in January and participated in spring practices. He’s been the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart for much of the season, but was elevated to the No. 2 spot when Madsen went down with an injury against New Mexico. He’s taken two snaps all season – the final two plays of a 45-10 win at Utah State.
“CJ is a smart football player, a great kid to be around and he preps his tail off,” Danielson said. “There have been guys in that room that have helped him learn what it takes to play quarterback here. Obviously we all know the importance of that position across the entire team, so he’s stepped up in a big way in regard to how he preps.
“This is obviously a huge week, practice today is a huge practice for him, for Colt, for our whole team, and we’ll be evaluating throughout the whole time.
Fulton, a redshirt sophomore, has been praised by teammates and coaches of his knowledge and command of Boise State’s offense. He was thought by some to give the Broncos a better chance of winning Saturday’s game despite Tiller likely having the higher ceiling long term.
The 6-foot-4 Fulton would be the first left-handed quarterback at Boise State to start a game since Kellen Moore in 2011 if he were to end up getting the nod. He wouldn’t be the first left-hander to throw a pass since Moore – wide receiver CT Thomas did that on multiple trick plays, most recently in 2020.
“Colt Fulton has also done a great job too and I know he’ll be working his tail off this week,” Danielson said. “You talk about a guy that’s humble and hungry and ready for whatever the team needs. I’m excited for both those guys this week.”
Asked if the Broncos planned to play both quarterbacks against UCLA, Danielson said, “Just depends on how the week of practice goes and what they show us in practice.”
Tiller saw the field for two snaps while Fulton has executed multiple 2-point conversions but has not taken a snap at quarterback. Neither has been credited with a pass attempt in their career.
And one of them, likely Tiller, will be making their first career start on ABC in SoFi Stadium against UCLA in the LA Bowl.
Good luck.
“It’s one of those things where at the end of the day, you prep the entire time you are here and not just your time in Boise but your time in high school, for these moments,” Danielson said. “There are obviously going to be nerves so we have to make sure we put (CJ) in the right spots and the right situations to be successful.
“No doubt, a big stage. The LA Bowl against UCLA – big stage. And I know he’s going to prep and be ready for those moments.”
IOANE LEAVES FOR NEVADA
Danielson confirmed safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator Kane Ioane had left the team to pursue another opportunity. Multiple reports Tuesday morning had Ioane headed to be the defensive coordinator at Nevada, where he would reunite with Jeff Choate. Ioane was the DC under Choate at Montana State.
Danielson said Ron Collins, previously a defensive analyst who was promoted to on-field coach when Andy Avalos was fired, will assume Ioane’s role for the LA Bowl.
“He’s done a great job throughout the whole season helping with the back end, so he’s really going to pick up the majority of those duties but it’s going to be us all working together,” Danielson said.
Boise State is expected to announce the offensive and defensive coordinators for 2024, as well as other members of Danielson’s future staff, in the next few days. He indicated most current coaches would be returning next season.
Danielson is looking to find a defensive coordinator and safeties coach.
“Those are the two main positions we’re looking for right now,” Danielson said.
Bush Hamdan is likely to return as offensive coordinator, while defensive line coach Erik Chinander would appear to be a prime candidate to be promoted to defensive coordinator.
BRONCO BITS
Defensive lineman Gabe Hunter was placed on scholarship late last week. “He’s worked his tail off since he’s ben here and played a lot for us last year, so was excited to grant him with a scholarship that he has earned,” Danielson said. … No other players have entered the transfer portal or left the team and no new injuries have crept up on the Broncos since practice resumed for the LA Bowl. “Not at this point,” Danielson said. … The Broncos will fly to LA on Tuesday afternoon and practice at El Camino Junior College the rest of the week. Bronco Nation News will have a reporter in LA starting on Wednesday with live coverage both on the daily morning shows on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter as well as daily written content at BroncoNationNews.com.
