Backfield Reloaded: Can Boise State’s 2025 Rushing Attack Power Another College Football Playoff Run?

Boise, Idaho — A year ago, Boise State made history. A 12-1 record. A second straight Mountain West title. A first-round bye in the newly expanded College Football Playoff. And at the heart of it all was Ashton Jeanty—one of the most dynamic players in the country and a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Now, Jeanty is headed to the NFL, where he’s expected to be one of the first running backs off the board in April’s draft. And the focus in Boise has shifted from celebrating last season to answering a pressing question:

Who’s next in the Broncos’ backfield?

According to ESPN’s Paolo Uggetti, Boise State's running backs are a strong candidate for a breakout unit in 2025. And for good reason. While Jeanty’s production is gone, the foundation of the offense—including four returning starters on the offensive line and veteran quarterback Maddux Madsen, is still intact.

The Broncos won’t have a single workhorse this fall. But they might not need one.

Meet the Runners Ready to Step In

With spring practice approaching, three names have emerged as the key pieces in Boise State’s post-Jeanty ground game: junior Jambres Dubar, redshirt freshman Sire Gaines, and sixth-year transfer Malik Sherrod.

 WATCH: Boise State Opens Spring Practice with Big Questions in the Backfield

Jambres Dubar – Steady and Battle-Tested

Dubar has spent the last two seasons waiting in the wings. A junior from Anna, Texas, he’s played in 19 games for the Broncos and has quietly earned the trust of the coaching staff with his physical style and work ethic.

His career numbers-431 rushing yards and four touchdowns—don’t leap off the page, but Dubar has been a reliable option in short-yardage and situational roles. Now, he’s in position to take on a much larger share of the offense.

“He’s the kind of back who always falls forward,” a team source said. “Dependable, tough, and knows the system.”

That kind of consistency could make Dubar a valuable early-down weapon as Boise State looks to control the line of scrimmage.

Sire Gaines – A Young Talent with Big-Time Upside

Gaines might be the most intriguing player in the group.

At 6-foot, 209 pounds, the redshirt freshman from Perris, California brings the ideal blend of size, speed, and versatility. He appeared in just three games last season before a knee injury sidelined him, but in that short window, he showed why coaches are excited.

Gaines posted 156 rushing yards on only 20 carries—averaging 7.8 yards per attempt—and scored twice, once on the ground and once through the air.

If healthy, he could be a game-changer.

Malik Sherrod – The Experienced Transfer

Boise State didn’t leave the transfer portal empty-handed.

Enter Malik Sherrod, a sixth-year senior who transferred in from Fresno State. Though he missed most of 2024 with an injury, Sherrod brings plenty of experience, and production. He’s rushed for 1,634 yards and 15 touchdowns in his career, averaging five yards per carry. In 2023, he earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors after rushing for 966 yards and nine scores.

At 5’8”, Sherrod adds quickness and open-field ability to the rotation. If he’s healthy, he gives the Broncos a proven veteran who can make defenders miss and move the chains in key moments.

A New Look in the Backfield

Boise State isn’t looking to replace Jeanty with another 25-carry-per-game star. What the Broncos have instead is depth, balance, and diversity of skill sets.

Dubar brings stability. Gaines brings upside. Sherrod brings experience. Behind a veteran offensive line, this could be one of the most complete running back groups in the Group of Five, if not the entire country.

The Stakes: Playoff Expectations are Back

Boise State isn’t flying under the radar anymore. They were featured in ESPN’s Way-Too-Early Top 25 and are already being labeled as the frontrunner among Group of Five programs to return to the CFP in 2025.

The Broncos open the season on August 28 in Tampa against South Florida, and with top teams all pushing for playoff contention, every game will carry weight.

To stay in the hunt, Boise State will need production from its backfield. Whether that comes from one standout or a committee effort remains to be seen.

Final Thought: A New Era Begins

Jeanty’s departure leaves big shoes to fill, but Boise State isn’t starting from scratch.

The offensive system is built to support a dominant run game. The line is intact. The quarterback is back. And now, a trio of hungry backs have their chance to write the next chapter.

The Broncos don’t just want to return to the College Football Playoff. They expect to.

And if their new-look backfield lives up to its potential, they just might get there.