After joining Broncos as a walk-on, Boen Phelps wants to make his name known

BOISE — The start of the college football season gives unknown players across the country a chance to shine and get noticed by their own fan base.

Boen Phelps is hoping he can be that type of player this year for Boise State. The redshirt freshman, who joined the Broncos as a walk-on last season, is quickly making his way up the depth chart at safety and potentially putting himself in position to get some significant playing time this season.

“It’s huge, it means everything to me,” Phelps said about the opportunity. “Just all the late nights I had to put in, all the work, it means everything. Showing up to practice, working as hard as I can, I got some opportunities during fall camp. Now I get to hopefully show them on the field.”

Teammates and coaches have all praised Phelps for the work he’s put into fall camp. Boise State opens the season Saturday at Georgia Southern. And while it’s still unknown exactly what role Phelps will play, fans can certainly expect to see him on the field this season.

“Boen Phelps is a guy who as a redshirt freshman that did some good things through spring ball and you’re excited about him, but he came on the scene so strong in fall camp,” Boise State coach Spencer Danielson said. “You ask any one of the players on our team about Boen Phelps and they’ll be very impressed with what he’s put on film. He’s going to have a big part defensively, as well as on all of our special teams units, because he’s earned the right to. He’s played really well in fall camp and I’m excited for him to play his first game as a Bronco here in a couple days.”

Phelps did actually appear in one game last season, making his collegiate debut on special teams against Fresno State. But even in a deep group of safeties, he’s stood out in fall camp and been one of the biggest surprises of the group. During the Broncos’ final scrimmage of the spring, he had five tackles, two of which went for a loss.

“Nobody expected anything like he’s doing right now,” said safety Rodney Robinson. “But he’s a gamer, for sure. He comes in and he plays hard, he flies around and makes plays.”

Phelps wasn’t highly recruited coming into Boise State coming out of Rockford, Washington, a small town located roughly 30 minutes south of Spokane, on the Idaho border. In addition to his walk-on offer at Boise State, he had similar ones at Idaho and Washington State. He chose Boise State based on the family atmosphere he felt when he made his visit.

He also liked the opportunity he saw he could get, even despite his walk-on status.

“At Boise State, it’s up to you,” Phelps said. “They don’t treat any walk-on different than a scholarship kid. It’s all up to you and what you do with your opportunities. As a walk-on, I probably didn’t get as many opportunities as some other guys, but it’s what you do with those opportunities. I knew if I kept showing out with every opportunity, I would get some looks.”

He’s done exactly that throughout fall camp. And now as the season draws closer, it’s paying off.

“He’s done a heck of a job,” defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said. “Right now, we feel like we can play him in a lot of different spots. He’s going to be starting on special teams, but he will play on defense this year. Not guaranteeing how much, or when or why, but he will play on defense this year. That’s a heck of a deal for a walk-on guy that’s coming into his redshirt freshman year.”

No matter where he is played, though, Phelps will have one thing on his mind: Being the best player he can possibly be when he’s on the field.

“My goal as of right now is to be a star in my role,” said Phelps. “If it’s special teams, then dominate special teams. If it’s helping out on the defense, then it’s making big-time plays there.”