BOISE, Idaho — While championship contests and bowl games brought happiness to many die-hard fans of successful college football teams, the end of the 2022 season marked the start of stress and anxiety for others. The reason? The transfer portal.
Dec. 5, 2022, kicked off the first window for players to enter the portal, instead of being able to leave a program at any time. The first portal period runs until Jan. 18, 2023.
According to Chris Hummer with 247Sports, 595 FBS players entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5 alone. Hummer said 406 FBS players were in the portal prior to the Dec. 5 opening.
A second transfer portal window opens May 1, 2022, and runs through May 15, 2022.
KTVB will be tracking all of Boise State football's departures and players in the transfer portal below. Scroll down for more information on each player who has left the blue and orange program.
Andy Nwaoko
New school: N/A
EDGE Andy Nwaoko became the 17th Boise State player to enter the transfer portal since the start of August 2022, announcing his decision Thursday. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound lineman out of Saint George, Virginia arrived in Boise in 2020 and has three years of eligibility remaining.
KTVB featured Nwaoko's unlikely journey to The Blue three years ago, and how he achieved his goal of getting a scholarship after only playing football for two years at the Blue Ridge School. The redshirt sophomore appeared in three games during the 2022 season.
Defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson was the one who called Nwaoko on National Signing Day in February 2020. In his departure announcement, Nwaoko gave a "special thanks" to Danielson and former Boise State and Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin:
Gavin Wale
New school: N/A
Redshirt-junior punter Gavin Wale became the second Boise State specialist to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday, Jan. 10. The Henderson, Nev., native booted seven punts for an average of 39.4 yards against BYU in 2020.
Wale did not see action during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, and redshirted the 2019 season. 247Sports tabbed Wale as the No. 21 punter in the nation coming out of Coronado High School in the class of 2019.
"I just want to say thank you to Boise State for making my college football dream come true," Wale wrote.
Rejhan Tatum
New school: N/A
Tatum, a second-year freshman linebacker out of Del City, Oklahoma, entered the transfer portal on Thursday, Jan. 5. The 6-0, 230-pound 'backer redshirted in 2021.
247Sports, ESPN and Rivals each rated Tatum as a three-star prospect coming out of Del City High School. Tatum committed to Boise State in August 2020, after receiving offers from Baylor, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Tulsa and UTSA.
Isaiah Bradford
New school: N/A
Redshirt-freshman safety Isaiah Bradford was the second Bronco to enter the transfer portal on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Redlands, California, native grayshirted during the 2020 season after tearing his ACL during his senior high school campaign. Bradford joined Boise State during 2021 spring camp.
Boise State beat out Mountain West foes Colorado State and San Jose State during Bradford's recruiting process out of Redlands East Valley High School.
Jackson Cravens
New school: BYU
After three years in the City of Trees, Cravens became one of three Broncos to enter the transfer portal during the week of Early Signing Day. The former Boise State nose tackle has one more year of eligibility remaining.
Cravens started in 11 games during the 2021 campaign, and racked up 23 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles-for-loss this season. In the Frisco Bowl win over North Texas, Cravens had five tackles.
The defensive lineman signed with BYU on Dec. 27, 2022.
Sam Vidlak
New school: Montana
According to 247Sports, quarterback Sam Vidlak entered the transfer portal on Dec. 20. After spending his freshman campaign with Oregon State, Vidlak transferred to Boise State, and immediately competed behind center.
In the Broncos' first contest without former starter Hank Bachmeier against San Diego State, Vidlak completed 9-of-12 passes for 86 yards, as future star Taylen Green struggled early.
Coming out of Hidden Valley High School, 247Sports tabbed Vidlak as a three-star prospect, and the No. 4 recruit in the state of Oregon.
On Jan. 9, Vidlak announced his commitment to the University of Montana with a simple tweet; "Go Griz!"
Dallas Holliday
New school: N/A
Former three-star offensive lineman and Sherman Oaks, Calif., native Dallas Holliday entered the transfer portal on Dec. 20, per 247Sports.
The 6-foot-3, 315-pound guard appeared in 11 games this fall, 10 games between 2021 and 2020, and 12 games as a redshirt-freshman player in 2019.
Deven Wright
New school: Texas State
Following one season at Boise State, EDGE Deven Wright announced he entered the transfer portal Dec. 5. Wright came to Boise via Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Injuries led to increased playing time for Wright as the 2022 season progressed. He registered his first DI sack in against Nevada in Reno and played a season-high 20 snaps in the Broncos' win over Utah State.
Wright finished this season with five tackles and the sack.
On Monday, Dec. 19, Wright announced his commitment to Texas State, where he will play for recently-hired head coach G.J. Kinne. Wright received offers from Appalachian State, Arkansas State and the Bobcats following his departure.
Tyneil Hopper
New school: Michigan State
Former Boise State tight end Tyneil Hopper announced his intentions to enter the portal for his final year of eligibility Dec. 4. The Georgia native played in 45 total games for the Broncos, including all 32 over the last three seasons.
Hopper finished his career in the City of Trees with 22 receptions, 259 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Hopper capped his announcement with a heartfelt shoutout to fans of the blue and orange.
"I'm so grateful for Bronco Nation and I appreciate all the love and support you guys showed," Hopper wrote. "You will forever have a place in my heart."
On Thursday, Dec. 15, Hopper announced his commitment to Big Ten power Michigan State, where he will play for head coach Mel Tucker and the Spartans.
Isaiah Bagnah
New school: BYU
In a Twitter post back on Oct. 29, talented EDGE Isaiah Bagnah announced he would be tossing his name in the transfer portal upon the official opening Dec. 5. Bagnah led the Broncos in sacks during the 2021 campaign.
According to his social media, Bagnah quickly received offers from Jacksonville State and Northern Arizona on Dec. 5. The Calgary native committed to Boise State in November 2018 as a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports.
On Early Signing Day, Bagnah signed with BYU.
Will Ferrin
New school: BYU
Kicker/punter Will Ferrin unveiled his intentions to enter the transfer portal on Sunday, Dec. 4, after two seasons in the Gem State. The Utah native had two punts for 71 total yards in 2022, and also handled kickoffs prior to a mid-season injury.
Ferrin booted nine kickoffs during the 2021 campaign, averaging 62 yards per kick. The Davis High School graduate notched three touchbacks out of his nine attempts last fall.
As a senior in high school, Ferrin went 13-of-17 on field-goal attempts, made all 16 extra-point tries and recorded 33 touchbacks on 40 kickoffs.
On Thursday, Dec. 15, Ferrin announced on social media he was "coming home," committing to regional rival BYU.
Hank Bachmeier
New school: Louisiana Tech
Former Boise State quarterback and four-year starter Hank Bachmeier is transferring to Louisiana Tech, ESPN College Football Senior Writer Pete Thamel reported Wednesday, Jan 18.
Bachmeier, one of the highest-rated recruits in school history, arrived at Boise State in January 2019. He immediately won the starting job, and in his first game as a starter he led the Broncos to the program's biggest comeback win ever over a Power 5 opponent, Florida State University. As a true freshman, he was tabbed "Hurricane Hank," throwing for a career-high 407 yards in a 36-31 victory over the Seminoles.
Louisiana Tech is led by well-known Air Raid schemer Sonny Cumbie, who spent 12 years as an assistant coach with Texas Tech and TCU in the Big 12 under the likes of Mike Leach and Kliff Kingsbury.
According to Thamel's report, Bachmeier liked the idea of playing under Cumbie in a pass-heavy system.
"I think Coach Cumbie and his track record are a great fit. It's an offense that any quarterback would want to play in," Bachmeier told ESPN.
Taequan Tyler
New school: N/A
During a Boise State press conference back on Aug. 1, local media learned running back Taequan Tyler was no longer on the Broncos' roster for the upcoming season.
The Waco native appeared in three games during his redshirt-sophomore campaign in 2021, rushing for 47 yards on 11 carries. Prior to Boise State, Tyler ran for 313 yards and four touchdowns at Tyler Junior College.
Tyler attended Waco La Vega High School and graduated in the class of 2019.
Roman Kafentzis
New school: N/A
Mater Dei High School graduate Roman Kafentzis elected to enter the transfer portal prior to the 2022 season after five years with the Boise State football program. The defensive back appeared in 13 games as a junior in 2019, registering four tackles.
ESPN, Scout.com and 247Sports each ranked Kafentzis as a three-star prospect coming out of California when he committed to the Broncos in December 2016. Kafentzis was expected to be one of 11 returning "super seniors" back in January, before he entered the portal Aug. 24.
Jalen Richmond
New school: Northern Arizona
After redshirting in 2021 as a freshman, former three-star prospect and Bronco wide receiver Jalen Richmond entered the transfer portal on Aug. 18. Richmond chose Boise State over Mountain West foes Nevada and San Jose State in June 2020.
The Arizona native caught 37 passes for 634 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Chandler High School, according to Boise State Athletics. Chandler went 13-0 and won an Open Division State Championship during Richmond's junior season.
According to his Twitter account, Richmond visited Arizona and New Mexico State last fall. Ultimately, Richmond decided he was "staying home," committing to Northern Arizona on Jan. 16.
Casey Kline
New school: Central Oklahoma
Dual-threat athlete Casey Kline, who appeared in 14 games across two seasons for Boise State, confirmed he was leaving the City of Trees in August. Coming out of Brawley, Calif., ESPN ranked Kline as the nation's No. 19 linebacker prospect.
In 2021, Kline played in five games at defensive end, logging one tackle in the Broncos' loss to Oklahoma State on The Blue. At the time of his announcement, Kline told KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust he "loved my here here," but said he wanted to find another opportunity.
As a high school recruit, Kline received offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Washington, Washington State and more, per 247Sports.
On Saturday, Dec. 17, Kline posted on Twitter to announce his commitment to the University of Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos compete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level.
Jacob Golden
New school: New Mexico State
Peoria High School alum and former Boise State offensive lineman Jacob Golden announced his commitment to New Mexico State on Oct. 19. According to 247Sports, Golden entered the transfer portal on Aug. 2.
Golden made his Bronco and collegiate debut in October 2020 as a redshirt-freshman against Air Force. The Arizona native went on to play in three games in 2020. Golden appeared in nine games last season.
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