Latrell Caples, Boise State’s leading receiver in 2022, won’t play this season due to a leg injury, Boise State head coach Andy Avalos announced on Monday.
Caples is one of the best Mountain West wide receivers. His absence will surely alter the complexion of Boise State’s offense in 2023.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout was entering his redshirt junior season. He redshirted at Boise State in 2020 and caught just four passes for 56 yards in six games in 2021.
Then Caples emerged as the Broncos’ go-to receiver last year. He was in the top 12 in the Mountain West for receptions (51), receiving yards (549), and receiving touchdowns (four). He also returned nine punts for 60 yards.
Boise State’s wide receiver group will need to rise to the occasion without Caples.
Billy Bowens was the leader among returning Broncos with 462 yards and four touchdowns on 32 catches. Stefan Cobbs, who caught 29 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns, is also back. Eric McAlister, who recorded 259 yards and four touchdowns on 11 catches, is also returning.
The Broncos picked up former Colorado wideout Chase Penry this offseason as well. He caught two passes for 25 yards in 2022.
With Caples, Boise State’s passing offense looked like it was on track to make a major step forward. Taylen Green, the 2022 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, is among the best Mountain West quarterbacks this year. After taking over as the starter when Hank Bachmeier entered the transfer portal, Green threw for 2,042 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions while completing 61% of his passes. He also ran for 437 yards and eight touchdowns.
But only time will tell what Boise State’s offensive approach will look like without Caples.
