Boise State’s leading receiver Eric McAlister entering transfer portal
BOISE: Three of the Broncos’ most important offensive playmakers may not be available for Saturday’s game against New Mexico due to wide receiver Eric McAlister’s transfer out of the Boise State football program.
Shortly before Andy Avalos’s weekly press conference on Monday, Boise State announced the departure of its top receiver. Just last week, the sophomore from Azle, Texas, was named to the Biletnikoff Award midseason watch list. This season, he has 47 receptions for 873 yards and five touchdowns for the Broncos (4-5, 3-2 Mountain West).
Avalos mentioned his output and chances at other shows in passing when explaining his leave.
“It’s a part of college football right now, going into the transfer portal,” Avalos said during his press conference. “There are teams that are enticing people to do such things like this, it’s that nature of the beast right now. Is it right? It’s not right, but to each his own.”
The latest blow to the Broncos offense in recent weeks is McAlister’s resignation. Ashton Jeanty, a running back with 396 receiving yards and 921 rushing yards, was injured two weeks ago and was unable to return for Saturday’s 37-30 loss to Fresno State. After making a grab in the game in Fresno, Stefan Cobbs, who has 241 receiving yards on the season, had an injury and needed assistance leaving the field.
As the team prepares for its final three regular-season games, Boise State may be without its three best receivers this week.
Avalos mentioned true freshman Prince Strachan — who has four catches on the season — and Borah High graduate Austin Bolt — who made his first career reception Saturday after coming back from an injury suffered in the 2022 season opener — as players who could step up and fill the hole left by McAlister.
