College football has gotten weird, with rosters changing so much year-after-year that it becomes difficult to know exactly who will be trotting onto the field in Week 1. To make things even more difficult, the Oregon Ducks opted to not release their two-deep depth chart, leading to the Boise State Broncos, the Ducks' Week 1 opponent in Eugene, to do the same.
Regardless of having to do extensive research simply to see who will be catching passes or making tackles for Boise State, there are several key contributors that didn't enter the transfer portal, instead staying along for the program's first foray into the PAC-12. But before making history of competing in their first PAC-12 contest, the Broncos will have their hand at a former PAC-12 member
in the Ducks.
While Boise State wasn't decimated from the transfer portal, they did have 19 players depart, a few of which were starters — namely standout safety Ty Benefield, who landed with the LSU Tigers. But the remaining pieces are strong, and should push for a PAC-12 title while harboring a chance of making the College Football Playoff as the Group of Six representative.
Without further ado, these are the five players that Duck fans will want to know before Saturday's 12:30 p.m. kickoff.
QB Maddux Madsen
A two-year starter for the Broncos, Maddux Madsen has increased his command of the offense tremendously since first taking over in 2024. The stocky 5-foot-10, 207-pounder isn't necessarily a game-changer at the quarterback position, but rather a game manager who makes sound decisions with the football and distributes to his playmakers. During his career, all spent at Boise State, the fifth-year senior has completed 60.8% of his passes for 6,586 yards, 50 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, quietly putting himself in the top ten in program history in yards and touchdowns. Not a threat with his legs, the Ducks should be able to put a cap on Madsen's production by staying solid and keeping everything in front of them.
RB Dylan Riley
Emerging as the RB1 for the Broncos in 2025 after Ashton Jeanty's departure for the NFL, Dylan Riley had a strong season in carrying the ball 195 times for 1,125 yards and 10 touchdowns. The 5-foot-10, 192-pounder has good burst, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and recording long runs of 77, 65 and 43 to go along with a 75-yard receiving score. Riley's carry count varied in each game; if the Broncos found success with him toting the rock, they had no problem giving him 20 or more carries. But if Riley was ineffective early, they also had no issue with pulling the plug, deeming him a non-factor. Riley is certainly talented, coming in as one of the top backs in the PAC-12 in 2026.
RB Sire Gaines
Riley isn't the only presence in the Broncos' backfield, as Sire Gaines has an elite combination of size, speed and playmaking prowess. In 2025, while the role of RB2, Gaines recorded 161 carries for 811 yards and eight touchdowns while scoring a receiving touchdown as well. While there were games in which Riley had smaller carry counts, that was Gaines' time to shine. In the two games in which Gaines received 20 or more carries, he totaled 214 yards and four touchdowns, proving he's capable of more opportunities. Gaines is a bit of a bigger back at 6-foot and 217 pounds, possessing the ability to run through defenders. Boise State's running back duo complements each other very well, and if they're to pull off an upset, they both might have to rush for over 100 yards.
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan
Haven't heard of Jayden Virgin-Morgan before? Odds are you'll hear his name plenty during the broadcast and over the PA system at Autzen Stadium. A 6-foot-3, 260-pound senior, Virgin-Morgan is one of the top pass-rushers in the entire country, racking up 16 sacks in the last two seasons combined while also proving himself to be a reliable run-stopper. Squarely on NFL draft boards, the Oregon offensive line — whoever ends up being put out there — will be put to the test right away against a pro-caliber edge rusher in Virgin-Morgan.
LB Boen Phelps
Another guy who's name could be heard plenty is Boen Phelps, who made an impressive Year 1 to Year 2 jump in the Broncos' defensive system, going from six tackles in 2024 to 66 in 2025 with a sack, forced fumble and interception to boot. He doesn't have an overwhelming frame, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing just 215 pounds, but Phelps flies to the football especially late last season, when his confidence grew and his production picked up. How the bellwether of the Broncos' defense as a junior, Phelps will be tasked with trying to stop a rushing attack for the Ducks that is projected to be potent.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Five Boise State Broncos that Duck fans should know before Week 1
