NCAA eligibility ruling could mean two Boise State starters return to the blue turf

When Boise State football walked out for Senior Day just over a month ago, 21 seniors presumably strolled onto the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium for the last time.

But that presumption might not hold true for a couple of Boise State starters, and could affect other players as well.

Last week, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors approved a blanket waiver allowing anyone who played at least a year of junior college football to gain an extra year of eligibility.

The decision came after Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia sued the NCAA, claiming that his years at the junior college level should not count toward his NCAA eligibility, and doing so limits his opportunity to profit off Name, Image and Likeness.

A federal judge in Tennessee granted Pavia an injunction, allowing him to play an extra year in college. The judge’s ruling isn’t final, but it led the NCAA to make a ruling allowing other athletes who competed at the JUCO level to follow in Pavia’s footsteps.

That decision could affect Boise State fifth-year wide receiver Cameron Camper and senior cornerback A’Marion McCoy.

Camper spent his first two years at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas before spending two years at Indiana. He transferred to Boise State in 2024. McCoy spent his first two years at Laney College in California before transferring to Boise State ahead of his junior year.

When asked Sunday whether they would consider remaining at Boise State, both were coy.

Camper said that he could “possibly” come back next year, but he’ll figure that out “once the time comes around,” and right now he is just focused on the Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos play Penn State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in Glendale, Arizona.

“I’ve just got to figure out what would be the best move for me and my family,” Camper said.

Boise State redshirt sophomore quarterback Maddux Madsen said he’d love for Camper to return. Camper has been Madsen’s favorite target this year, with a team-high 55 receptions and 837 receiving yards.

“I’m trying to (get him back), that’s for sure. He makes plays,” Madsen said. “That room is awesome, and he elevates that as well. So I obviously am talking to him. I would like to say it’s not going to take a lot to get him back here, but he’s played football for a long time.”

McCoy shared a similar sentiment, saying that right now, his two options are returning to Boise State or trying to make the NFL. But like Camper, he said he’s got to concentrate on Penn State.

“It’s all Boise State for me, that’s my home right now,” McCoy said. “So that’s the thing I focus on.”

McCoy has grown as the Broncos’ season has progressed. After a tough start, he’s solidified himself as a starting corner, and he heads into the Fiesta Bowl with 58 tackles, one interception and a team-high 14 pass breakups.

Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said he already spoke to both players after the ruling.

“We talked right away, and they’re on the same page as me,” Danielson said. “They’re like, ‘Coach, if this thing happens, I want to be here.’”