Maddux Madsen won Boise State’s starting QB job over a big-name transfer. Here’s why

A little over eight months ago, Boise State surprised the football world when USC quarterback and former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson announced that he would leave Southern California for the Gem State.

Nelson was ranked as one of the best recruits in the class of 2023 and had received offers from powerhouses such as Alabama, Michigan and Georgia before committing to his hometown team and coach Lincoln Riley. After a year as a backup that also saw him battle some injuries, he adjusted his football future and transferred to Boise State.

As a new college football season fast approaches, the redshirt freshman finds himself as the backup yet again — to redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen.

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson named Madsen the Broncos’ starter on Sunday for the opening game at Georgia Southern. Danielson cited Madsen’s ability to run the offense more efficiently and said the 5-foot-10, 200-pound QB gives the Broncos the “best opportunity to win game one.”

Danielson also provided other details that led to the decision, which might have surprised a big part of Bronco Nation expecting to see the highly rated Nelson take over the offense under the direction of veteran coordinator Dirk Koetter.

An emphasis on ‘explosive’ plays

After the second scrimmage of fall camp Saturday, which was closed to fans and media, Danielson outlined his two keys to success for the team: winning the turnover margin and winning the explosive plays margin.

Among other data points, such as completion percentage and interceptions, Madsen’s ability to create more explosive plays — passes covering at least 20 yards and runs covering at least 15 — won him the job.

“It’s everything for our offense to be efficient and be explosive the way we can. We’ve got weapons on our offense,” Danielson said.

“In regards to naming the starters, when I say who gives us the best opportunity in game one, it’s who can operate our offense at a higher level. Right now, Maddux can operate our offense at a higher level at this point than Malachi can.”

It’s perhaps no surprise that Danielson’s wish for an explosive offense lines up with the style of Koetter, who came out of retirement, essentially, to lead the unit.

Koetter was Boise State’s head coach from 1998 to 2000 before he went on to coach at Arizona State and in the NFL. He was an analyst for the Broncos in 2022 before taking over as interim offensive coordinator after Tim Plough’s firing, which came four games into the year. Koetter’s NFL career included stints as offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he also was the head coach for three seasons (2016-18).

The 65-year-old coach plays to his strengths but has typically preferred an aggressive passing approach. He coached Jameis Winston to what was then the third most passing yards by a rookie in 2015 with Tampa Bay, and some of the Buccanners’ and Falcons’ best offensive years came under Koetter. He oversaw Taylen Green’s first season as a starter for the Broncos in 2022, a run-heavy offense that took advantage of Green’s legs while also looking for downfield opportunities.

Madsen and Nelson both had reps with starters (blue team) during camp, and both threw interceptions early on. Danielson said only one pick was thrown during the second scrimmage, and he said it was a good pass that went through a receiver’s hands and off his helmet.

He didn’t say which QB had that interception.

“Maddux got more reps with the blues than Malachi did, and a lot of that was picked on what plays we’re getting, and to continue to see who earned the right to get those reps with the blues,” Danielson said Sunday when he announced Madsen had won the job. “And that was constantly evaluated throughout each and every practice. I think Dirk did a good job, and I was involved with all those decisions as well.”

Whoever plays quarterback will be expected to deliver on explosive plays, the coach said, but there’s also likely to be a lot of handing off to junior running back Ashton Jeanty, who enters the season as a Heisman Trophy hopeful — and who can deliver his own explosive plays.

What’s the future hold for Malachi Nelson?

For all that Danielson and Koetter like about Madsen’s ability, they are equally high on Nelson’s talent and future.

The 6-foot-3 quarterback played only a few snaps at USC, but his 247Sports scouting report details him as a “natural thrower” with “elite arm talent.” Nelson was impressive in Boise State’s spring game, showing off his arm strength and accuracy while throwing for 137 yards and a touchdown.

And Danielson was quick to emphasize that the decision on Madsen was to start the season on Aug. 31 at Georgia Southern. One week after that, a matchup at No. 3 Oregon looms on Sept. 7.

“We’re not focused on Oregon right now. We’re focused on Georgia Southern,” Danielson said. “And who gives us the best opportunity to beat Georgia Southern right now as a quarterback is Maddux Madsen, and we’ll see how that game goes. We’ll see how he plays the game.”

Danielson said Nelson had not mastered the offense yet but is “a competitor” who is “excited to keep working.” He said he had good conversations with both quarterbacks and doesn’t expect any fallout from the decision.

“His number is going to be called,” Danielson said of Nelson. “I don’t know when, but it will be.”