You’d struggle to find a national preseason preview that didn’t mention Malachi Nelson when discussing Boise State’s 2024 expectations. ESPN even wrote an entire feature on Nelson earlier this month, likely under the assumption he’d earn the starting quarterback gig for a preseason Group of Five darling.
Surprise!
Maddux Madsen was named Boise State’s starting quarterback earlier this week, news that ESPN first reported. Madsen, a returning Boise State player, will start Week 1 at Georgia Southern.
He’ll battle against Georgia Southern’s JC French, who won the Eagles’ starting quarterback job over Indiana transfer Dexter Williams. While French began his career at Memphis, he played for the Eagles last fall and beat out an incoming power conference transfer to win the 2024 starting job.
San Diego State true freshman Danny O’Neil notably earned the team’s starting quarterback job over Florida State transfer AJ Duffy, the presumed favorite.
While several power conference transfer quarterbacks have earned starting jobs at the Group of Five level this fall, Madsen, French, and O’Neil signal that fans and media members should be cautious when wanting to preordain Power Four transfers as immediate G5 starters.
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The Group of Five Has Talent
That trio of quarterbacks are good reminders that plenty of Group of Five programs shouldn’t be viewed as a step down from the power conferences.
Madsen played meaningful snaps for a Boise State program that won the Mountain West title last season. Nelson, a former five-star recruit, was an exciting pick to win the job on paper. Madsen, however, has more experience helping teams win at the college level.
It’s easy for fans and media members to fall in love with recruiting rankings and big-name transfers, but there’s plenty of elite football being played at Group of Five schools. The divide between an Ohio State and a Georgia Southern is wide, but the on-field gap between schools like Georgia Southern and Indiana isn’t.
Despite smaller budgets, the top-end teams in the Group of Five have rosters loaded with players who could contribute at above average Power Four schools. Boise State’s overall roster talent aligns with an above average Power Four program, and the Broncos have a rich history of competing with the best of the best.
Quarterback Depth Critical
With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, don’t expect the practice of Group of Five teams adding Power Four quarterbacks to end. For a top-level quarterback seeking more playing time, why not go to a Group of Five team with a less crowded quarterback room and playoff dreams? Given the freedom of the transfer portal, a P4 player could always seek another destination a year later if they don’t win the starting job.
For Group of Five teams, adding a highly-touted power conference transfer only bolsters depth at the most important position on the field. Boise State likely feels thrilled knowing its backup quarterback was once a five-star prospect from USC.
Georgia Southern, which was picked to finish fourth in the Sun Belt East, essentially added a backup quarterback with a couple games of Big Ten starting experience. That’s a major plus for a roster with proven talent at running back and wide receiver.
While Nelson not earning Boise State’s starting job came as a surprise to many, it’s a good reminder that the transfer portal doesn’t only benefit Power Four teams. Even highly talented Group of Five teams like Boise State can add depth and competition at critical positions.
The last few days are a welcomed reminder that the portal works both ways, and Group of Five teams aren’t devoid of talent.
