Transfer portal shut, here’s the tally for Boise State football. Former QB picks school

The deadline for Boise State players to enter the transfer portal closed at the end of the day Sunday.

The Broncos fared pretty well heading into 2025, with a nearly fully intact roster after a historic season that saw them finish 12-2, win the Mountain West championship again and play in the Fiesta Bowl as part of the College Football Playoff.

The deadline for athletes to enter the college football transfer portal closed on Dec. 28. However, for schools with games after that date, players were given an extra five days from the conclusion of their season. Boise State’s loss in the Fiesta Bowl came on Dec. 31, extending the deadline to Jan. 5.

The only starter to enter the portal was sophomore wide receiver Prince Strachan, one of a dozen Broncos who announced their intention to head elsewhere.

Strachan played in all 28 games during his two years at Boise State. He leaves the Broncos with 37 catches, 578 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

He ended the 2024 season with 25 receptions for 304 yards and a TD. One of the best games of his career came in the 31-14 loss to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, when he had four catches for 40 yards. He had a touchdown called back because of a hands-to-the-face penalty on the Broncos.

With the deadline passed, Boise State fans can rest easy knowing that many key players remain in blue and orange, including redshirt sophomore quarterback Maddux Madsen, junior tight end Matt Lauter and redshirt sophomore left tackle Kage Casey.

There still will be some big names missing, though. Senior defensive end Ahmed Hassanein will be looking to play in the NFL, and junior running back Ashton Jeanty is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April.

The only other major name to enter the transfer portal for Boise State was redshirt freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson, who did so last month. Nelson arrived at Boise State in January 2024 from USC, having previously been ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2023.

Nelson made his decision in December and was not with the Broncos for their trip to the Fiesta Bowl. Numerous outlets reported Sunday that Nelson had signed with UTEP, which will join the Mountain West from Conference USA on July 1, 2026, the same date Boise State will jump to the newly reformed Pac-12.

UTEP had an awful 2024 season, going 3-5 in CUSA and 3-9 overall.

The transfer portal isn’t a one-way street for the Broncos, obviously. Boise State made six additions, including Fresno State running back Malik Sherrod.

Sherrod will use his sixth and final year of eligibility with the Broncos. His best year at Fresno State came in 2023, when he rushed for 966 yards and nine touchdowns on 172 carries. A season-ending injury last September meant Sherrod played just four games in 2024.

Here’s a complete list for Boise State now that the portal has closed.

Boise State portal losses

• Quarterback Malachi Nelson

• Wide receiver Prince Strachan

• Defensive lineman Demanual Brown Jr.

• Running back Kaden Dudley

• Linebacker Udoka Ezeani

• Wide receiver Jackson Grier

• Edge rusher Nick Hawthorne

• Wide receiver Zamondre Merriweather

• Linebacker Wyatt Milkovic

• Safety Gabe Tahir

• Cornerback Khai Taylor

• Cornerback Dionte Thornton

Boise State portal additions

• Running back Malik Sherrod (Fresno State)

• Defensive back Demetrius Freeney (Arizona)

• Defensive lineman Keanu Mailoto (Arizona)

• Offensive lineman Miles Walker (Ohio State)

• Defensive tackle Dion Washington (Hawaii)

• Edge rusher Malakai Williams (Idaho)