BOISE, Idaho — The Boise State football team is expected to start true freshman CJ Tiller at quarterback in the LA Bowl on Saturday against UCLA.
Head coach Spencer Danielson on Tuesday said Tiller is the No. 1 behind center as the Broncos head to Southern California to prepare for the contest. Danielson added the competition will continue with redshirt sophomore Colt Fulton, but Tiller will get the majority of first-team snaps as the likely starter.
"Me and coach (Bush Hamdan) talked this morning, just going through 'okay, who has the best week of practice?' Right now, CJ will be getting the majority of the one reps," Danielson said. "But just like every position, we gotta create competition all the way up until kickoff."
The graduate of Rancho Cucamonga High School was an early enrollee, meaning he has been on campus in the City of Trees for nearly a year. However, Tiller has played just two snaps this season, with a handoff and kneel down to end Boise State's win over Utah State.
Tiller's next pass attempt will be his first when the Broncos battle the Bruins inside SoFi Stadium. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound gunslinger will be the third quarterback to start for Boise State this fall, joining Taylen Green and Maddux Madsen.
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Green and Madsen split reps for a majority of the 2023 campaign, before Madsen suffered a season-ending injury in the New Mexico game on Nov. 11. Green returned to his No. 1 duties moving forward and was named offensive MVP for his four-touchdown performance against UNLV in the Mountain West title game.
One week after entering the transfer portal, Green on Monday announced his commitment to Arkansas. The junior-to-be was scheduled to visit California Monday, along with BYU, LSU and Oregon State later in the week. Green canceled those visits on Monday morning, according to a source.
Tiller battled with Madsen for the No. 2 job throughout the summer and fall camp, before former head coach Andy Avalos named the latter the top backup prior to the season opener at Washington.
Fulton has played on special teams throughout the season and also saw action on offense with Tiller in Boise State's 45-10 win over the Aggies on Nov. 18. He threw a successful two-point conversion to tight end Matt Lauter on The Blue against Wyoming.
"On a big stage in the LA Bowl against UCLA – big stage. I know (Tiller) is gonna prep to be ready for those moments," Danielson said. "Colt Fulton's also done a great job, too. So, I know he's gonna be working his tail off this week. You talk about a guy that's humble and hungry, and ready for whatever the team needs."
The 2023 Starco Brands LA Bowl Hosted By Gronk kicks off Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MT (4:30 p.m. PT). The game will be nationally televised on ABC.
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