Boise State Star Safety Ty Benefield Enters Transfer Portal Ahead of 2026 Season
Boise State’s defense just lost one of its cornerstones.
With the transfer portal set to officially open on January 2, junior safety Ty Benefield has announced he’s moving on from the Broncos. The California native made his decision public Saturday morning via social media, signaling the end of a standout three-year run in Boise.
“While Boise has been my home for three years, sometimes you have to leave home in order to grow,” Benefield wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “I will be entering the transfer portal with gratitude in my heart, excited for the next chapter and the challenges God places before me.”
This one’s going to sting for the Broncos - and not just because of what Benefield brought on the field. He wasn’t just a starter.
He was a tone-setter. A leader.
A big-play machine who anchored the back end of a defense that’s been among the best in the Mountain West for the past three seasons.
From the moment he arrived on campus in 2023, Benefield made his presence felt. He played in all 13 games as a true freshman, then locked down a starting role and never looked back. Over the next two seasons, he started 28 straight games, racking up accolades and helping Boise State rack up wins.
In 2024, he earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West honors. In 2025, he leveled up - First Team All-Mountain West, defensive MVP of the Mountain West Championship Game, and the team’s leading tackler with 107 total stops, including a team-best 70 solo tackles. That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
And it wasn’t empty stat-padding either. Benefield played his best in the biggest moments.
He helped guide the Broncos to three straight Mountain West titles and was a key figure in their 2024 College Football Playoff appearance. His performance in this month’s conference championship win over UNLV was a clinic in defensive leadership.
All told, Benefield leaves Boise State with 235 career tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and five interceptions - a résumé that speaks volumes about his consistency and impact.
His decision to enter the portal comes as something of a curveball, especially considering Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson’s recent comments. Just last week, Danielson expressed confidence that Benefield would either declare for the NFL Draft or return for one final season in blue and orange.
“I do believe that Ty and his family know, through how he’s been able to develop here, how he’s been able to play, the amount of NFL attention he has right now,” Danielson said. “If he decides not to go to the NFL, I believe that we would absolutely have a really good shot to keep him here, because he knows the best thing for his long-term future is being here.”
Benefield had already filed for a draft evaluation earlier this month, a common step for underclassmen weighing their options. But instead of jumping straight to the league or sticking around for a senior season, he’s chosen a third path - one that could reshape the safety landscape wherever he lands next.
For Boise State, it’s a major loss - both in terms of production and leadership. But for Benefield, it’s a new chapter, and given what he’s already accomplished, it’s safe to say he’ll be a coveted name in the portal.
Wherever he ends up, one thing’s clear: Ty Benefield isn’t done making plays. He’s just getting started on his next stage.