BOISE, Idaho — The Boise State football team claimed its second victory over North Texas this week, on Wednesday, this time beating out the Mean Green for prized tight end recruit Matt Wagner.
Wagner, a three-star prospect from Rock Hill High School in Prosper, Texas, verbally committed to North Texas over the summer, but his heart remained set on another program.
"I really really loved Boise," Wagner told KTVB.
Why, you ask?
More on that in moment.
First, this year's Frisco Bowl matchup was too coincidental for Wagner. The two schools battling over him in his recruitment were playing each other for the first time since 2000, at a venue just 15 minutes away from his hometown.
"When I saw that on the news, my jaw dropped," Wagner said. "It was an on-going joke around [my high school] that that game was called The Matt Wagner Bowl, not the Frisco Bowl, because that was ultimately the two schools that I was down to in my recruitment."
Wagner's seat location for the game was a dead giveaway.
"I did end up going [to the game]," Wagner said. "I did choose to sit on the Boise State side."
THE WAITING GAME WITH BOISE STATE
The recruiting process between Wagner and Boise State started all the way back in the spring. Boise State tight end coach Nate Potter traveled down to Texas, and watched Wagner play. Potter expressed interest, and Wagner conveyed his excitement, but Potter left Texas without extending a scholarship offer to Wagner.
As Wagner started to produce this fall, interested picked back up on Boise State's end. On his way to hauling in 45 receptions for 557 yards and five touchdowns for Rock Hill, in late October, the Broncos finally extended the offer he had long been waiting for.
One week later, Wagner found himself on campus in Boise for an officially visit.
"I've never been anywhere that far up north," Wagner said. "Going up there was really interesting, and I couldn't have been more blown away."
"They really make you feel wanted and loved in Boise," he added. "When I went on my official visit in early November, I honestly knew. The decision was made right there. That was my home. And it felt really really good."
Ever since then, Wagner says his recruitment by Boise State has "been full swing," with director of recruiting Deontrae Cooper, head coach Andy Avalos and Potter all showing an endearing amount of effort.
So on Tuesday, Wagner decommited from North Texas, and less than 24 hours later, committed to Boise State.
"Props to coach Cooper, coach Potter and coach Avalos for welcoming me and the hospitality when I was up there," Wagner said. "They really made it feel like home to me. And they've obviously been constantly on me, calling every week, and I just love it. I love how much they wanted me."
THE TEXAS PIPELINE
The coaches weren't the only ones putting in the work to make Wagner feel at home though. In fact, redshirt freshman quarterback Taylen Green, a fellow Texan who played at nearby Lewisville High School, started building a relationship with Wagner long before anyone knew this outcome was possible.
"I've actually worked out with Taylen a few times, which is a funny coincidence," Wagner said. "My quarterback at the time at Rock Hill, Kevin Sperry, has a relationship with [Taylen] through quarterback coaches. I ended up meeting him at a spring workout, just throwing the ball around. I ran some routes, and I was actually able to build a relationship with him."
"He was a really cool dude and we didn't even know it was a possibility that would could end up as teammates, but here we are," Wagner said. "He texted me when I got my offer [by Boise State], he messaged me again on Twitter after that, and made me feel really comfortable with the decision I was going to make."
"Even though geographically it's really far away, it really does feel like home," Wagner said. "It really makes me feel confident."
THE NEXT RILEY SMITH
Wagner has only been playing the tight end position for two years. He made the switch from quarterback following his sophomore season due to a lack of opportunities."
"When I got to high school and I was on varsity as a backup, I found a weak-point in our offense at a spot I could shine and help the team," Wagner said. "I wanted to help the team as much as I could, so I ended up choosing to talk to my coach and I switch to tight end. I ended up getting All-District honors in the four games that I played. I noticed I was pretty good at it, so I put my head down and worked at that position, and I got to where I am today."
Fittingly, Boise State senior Riley Smith, another quarterback turned tight end, hosted Wagner on his official visit in October.
"When I was up there, I went to his house after the game," Wagner said. "He gave me a really good vision. He made it really really clear to me that there's a lot that can be done here. I feel like I can fill in those shoes."
SIGNING EARLY, WAITING TO ENROLL
Wagner said he plans to sign on Wednesday, Dec. 21, when the early signing period opens. He will then finish up high school this spring and enroll at Boise State this summer.
"I really loved the college town feel of it," Wagner said. "How the fan base and how the town backs and supports the college. It's really awesome to see. And everyone loves each other. Like coach Avalos always says, if you love Boise, Boise will love you back. The whole city feels like one big family."
Watch more on Boise State Football:
See all of our Boise State football coverage in our YouTube playlist:
