The Blue Turf is different now. You can feel it in the air at Albertsons Stadium—a weird mix of lingering awe and "okay, what's next?" Following the 2024 season was always going to be impossible. Ashton Jeanty didn't just play the position; he broke it. He put up 2,601 rushing yards, grabbed the Doak Walker Award, and was the Heisman runner-up before the Las Vegas Raiders scooped him up at No. 6 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.
So, where does that leave the running back for Boise State today?
Honestly, the "A.J. Era" (After Jeanty) isn't about finding one guy to be a superhero. It’s about a stable. Head coach Spencer Danielson and offensive coordinator Nate Potter have basically moved toward a "four-headed monster" approach. It's less about a single bell-cow and more about keeping fresh legs on the field to wear down Mountain West defenses.
The New Faces of the Boise State Backfield
When you look at the 2025-2026 depth chart, things look a lot more democratic than they did a year ago.
Sire Gaines is the name everyone is whispering about. He’s a redshirt freshman who looks like he was built in a lab to play at Boise. Last year, he was a 17-year-old true freshman lighting it up with 110 yards in his debut against Georgia Southern. Then, he got hurt against Portland State and the season was over. He stayed, though. He turned down transfer offers because he wanted to be the next big thing in Boise. He’s about 6'0" and 217 pounds—thick enough to take the hits but fast enough to make you look silly.
Then you have Malik Sherrod. He’s the "elder statesman" of the room. A transfer from Fresno State, Sherrod is basically a walking highlight reel in the return game and as a pass-catcher. He’s smaller (5'8"), but he’s shifty as hell. If you remember the 2023 Fresno vs. Boise game, he put up 255 all-purpose yards against the Broncos. Now he’s wearing the blue and orange, providing that veteran vision that a young guy like Gaines hasn't fully developed yet.
Who else is in the rotation?
- Dylan Riley: A sophomore who has quietly climbed the ranks. By late 2025, he was actually seeing starts over the veterans. He’s consistent. He doesn't make many mistakes.
- Jambres "Breezy" Dubar: He was the primary backup during the Jeanty years. He’s got that "north-south" running style that coaches love for third-and-short situations.
- Seth Knothe: The local kid from Boise. He’s a redshirt junior who knows the system inside and out.
Why the "Running Back U" Reputation Actually Matters
People throw around terms like "Running Back U" all the time, but for Boise State, it’s not just a marketing slogan. Look at the history. Doug Martin (the "Muscle Hamster") went in the first round. Jay Ajayi won a Super Bowl. Alexander Mattison has been a staple in NFL backfields for years.
When a recruit looks at becoming a running back for Boise State, they aren't just looking at a starting spot. They’re looking at a professional pipeline.
The standard Jeanty set in 2024 was absurd: 29 rushing touchdowns and a PFF grade of 96.6. That’s a once-in-a-generation season. But the current crop isn't trying to be Jeanty. Sire Gaines literally told reporters he doesn't want to fill Jeanty's shoes; he wants his own pair. That's the kind of ego you need in this backfield.
The Strategy: How the Offense Has Changed
Under Nate Potter, the offense isn't just "hand the ball to #2 and watch him work." It’s more complex now.
Because Maddux Madsen has developed into a legit 3,000-yard passer, the running back for Boise State doesn't have to face eight-man boxes every single snap. They’re using Malik Sherrod in the slot. They’re using Sire Gaines in "wildcat" looks. It’s a "utility man" philosophy.
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Last season, the Broncos went 9-5, winning the Mountain West title again and even getting back to the Fiesta Bowl. They did it by spreading the ball around. While the rushing yards per game hovered around 179.1 (down from the Jeanty peaks), the efficiency was actually quite high. They aren't asking one guy to carry the ball 30 times. They’re asking three guys to carry it 10 times each.
Challenges and Misconceptions
One big misconception is that Boise State’s run game died when Jeanty left. It didn't. It just got quieter.
The 2025 season had some growing pains. Losing to Washington in the bowl game showed that against elite Power 4 defenses, the "running back by committee" approach can sometimes lack that "X-factor" player who can break a 60-yarder out of nowhere.
There's also the pressure of the Blue Turf. Every time a running back for Boise State misses a hole or fumbles, the fans (bless their hearts) immediately compare them to the legends. It’s a lot of weight for a 19-year-old to carry.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're watching the Broncos this season, keep an eye on these three specific things:
1. The "OR" on the depth chart
Don't get hung up on who starts. Boise State uses an "OR" designation between Gaines and Sherrod for a reason. They play different styles. If it's a cold, rainy game in Laramie, expect more Gaines. If it's a shootout in Las Vegas, expect more Sherrod.
2. Third-down protection
This is where Jeanty was underrated. He was an elite pass blocker. For the new guys to stay on the field, they have to prove they won't let Maddux Madsen get killed by a blitzing linebacker.
3. The Sophomore Leap
Watch Dylan Riley. Traditionally, Boise State backs make their biggest jump between their freshman and sophomore seasons. Riley has shown flashes of being that "bell-cow" that the committee approach currently lacks.
The "Running Back University" label is safe. The names on the jerseys have changed, but the expectation to dominate the Mountain West on the ground remains exactly the same. Whether it's Sire Gaines' power or Malik Sherrod's speed, the running back for Boise State is still the most important position on the field in the Treasure Valley.
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To get the most out of following this position, track the "Yards After Contact" (YAC) stats. In the Boise system, the scheme creates the first four yards, but the great backs create the next five. That's the metric that separates a good college player from the next NFL draft pick.