Former NFL Pro Bowler, Boise State star spends time with O-line. ‘It was just gold’

The Boise State offensive line has arguably been the Broncos’ best unit through two games this season. Even star junior running back Ashton Jeanty will tell you he gets to do the “easy part” of running through the big gaps it creates.

Through two games, the O-line has allowed just one sack, and the rushing attack has produced 612 yards on just 68 attempts, good for 8.7 yards per attempt.

And that’s with two starters being injured.

But there’s always room for improvement, and there aren’t many better people to learn from than former Bronco and NFL veteran Charles Leno. The offensive tackle spent five years at Boise State, from 2009 to 2013, playing an integral role at left tackle in numerous double-digit win seasons and Las Vegas Bowl victories before being taken in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

Leno plans to attend Boise State’s home opener against Portland State at Albertsons Stadium this weekend and has spent some time with the Broncos’ offensive line this past week.

“He was talking in the room, and I couldn’t type fast enough. I was trying to write down everything he was saying,” offensive line coach Tim Keane told reporters on Thursday. “It was just gold that he was giving us.”

Leno has spent 10 years in the NFL, seven with the Bears and three with the Washington Commanders. He was a Pro Bowler in 2018 with Chicago.

“I’m back at BSU because I just really enjoy going back where I came from, where I grew up,” Leno told the Idaho Statesman in a phone interview. “Even though it’s a different coaching staff, I still played there and enjoyed playing there. I know that one of the things I loved was seeing alumni come back and talk to the team.”

Leno was one of those Broncos who embodied the attitude echoed around the halls of the Bleymaier Football Center: “Everything is earned, and nothing’s given.”

At 6-foot-3 and around 300 pounds for most of his career, Leno certainly isn’t a small guy, but he was on the smaller side for an NFL tackle.

“That doesn’t jump off as an NFL veteran, 10-year guy,” Keane said. “And it’s because of how smart he is, because of how he approached the game. It’s because of the things that he learned at this program that he was able to continue to build on.”

Keane said Leno sat in on some meetings this week and talked to players about multiple aspects of the game, from how to approach things mentally to in-game tips and techniques.

“It was a lot about blocking techniques to different calls to body mechanics,” Leno said.

Leno said he’s liked what he’s seen from the offensive line through two games, even with the injuries to starting redshirt junior center Mason Randolph and starting redshirt sophomore right guard Roger Carreon.

“If you can have three things in an offensive line and offensive linemen, it’s physical, it’s smart and it’s tough,” Leno said. “That’s exactly what all those guys have on that line. I absolutely love working with them.”

Leno is currently without a team after being released from the Commanders last March and undergoing hip surgery shortly after to resolve an injury that kept him out of three games last season.

So what’s next for the 32-year-old tackle?

“Right now, my plan is to enjoy my time with my family,” Leno said. “When the right call comes, I’ll be ready for it.”