Nine former Boise State players are headed into the 2026 NFL season on active rosters, with several familiar names continuing to make real noise at the next level.
The list includes Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, Seattle Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, all of whom have become major pieces for their teams. Also on active rosters are Ezra Cleveland of the Jacksonville Jaguars and other former Broncos who survived the league’s cutdown to 53-man rosters over the weekend.
Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, wasted little time making an impact as a rookie. He set the Raiders’ rookie franchise record for scrimmage yards with 1,321 and added 10 total touchdowns.
His availability for Week 1 is still something to watch, though, after he suffered an ankle injury in practice last week. Las Vegas opens against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept.
Lawrence turned in another productive season for Seattle, finishing with 53 total tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries as the Seahawks won the NFC West and later went on to win the Super Bowl. Last month, Lawrence said he will retire after the 2026 season.
“This will be my last year,” Lawrence told Yahoo Sports. “Through the grace of God, I’m able to play another year and soak it all up one more good time before I hang it up.”
Shakir has become one of Buffalo’s most reliable targets, leading the Bills in receiving for the past two seasons. Over that stretch, he has 148 catches for 1,540 yards and eight touchdowns. He also ranked second among NFL wide receivers last year in yards after the catch with 665, yards after contact with 337 and missed tackles forced with 25.
Cleveland stayed busy for Jacksonville as well, making 16 starts last season while the Jaguars won the AFC South. He now has 85 starts across six NFL seasons.
Two other former Boise State players will start the year on injured reserve: Los Angeles Chargers fullback/defensive lineman Scott Matlock and Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols.
Offensive lineman John Ojukwu also landed with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was selected to the practice squad.
Former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore is entering his second season as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans closed last season by winning four of its final five games with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough leading the way.
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Ben Ford is still expected to factor in as he works back from an ACL injury, but Jones getting the first crack signals a broader theme for Boise State as the opener approaches: nothing is being handed out. The same goes up front, where senior Jason Steele will begin the season as the backup center behind Stewart Taufa, with Danielson keeping the competition open as the Broncos sort out roles heading into a demanding early test. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Just Drew A Firm Line In College Footballs New Debate
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The timing matters because the rule has opened the door to questions about who gets another shot at college football, and tight end DaeQuan Wrights attempt to come back after brief NFL stints helped put that issue in the spotlight. Boise State, though, is signaling that its attention will stay on current college players, not former pros trying to navigate a changed eligibility landscape. [Read more 🡒]
Boise State Opens In A Huge Autzen Atmosphere Broncos Fans Should See
Boise State is walking into one of the toughest opening environments in the country when it opens the 2026 season at Autzen Stadium against No. 2 Oregon. The Ducks have turned the place into a near-lock for early success, riding a long run of nonconference home wins and a lengthy home-opener streak, and this one will have a national stage as well with CBS carrying the broadcast.
For the Broncos, the setting alone makes this more than just a season opener, because Oregon will also be sorting out its first game with Chris Hampton and Drew Mehringer in their new primary coordinator roles. Autzen is already hard enough for visiting teams without the extra layer of early-season uncertainty, which is why Boise State will come out of the gate facing both noise and expectation in one of the sports loudest road environments. [Read more 🡒]