What’s Next for Bronco Kicker Jonah Dalmas?
Before he takes the field at the Fiesta Bowl, Meridian native will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Jonah Dalmas, Boise State’s kicker, knew 2024 was going to be a momentous year.
On January 5 he shared via social media that he would be returning to the Broncos for his fifth year following a record-breaking season in 2023. Dalmas followed the lead of other teammates, i.e., Roger Carreon, Kage Casey, Ashton Jeanty, etc., who would invest another year with the Broncos to leave an even deeper legacy.
My brothers and I are on a mission, and we are never satisfied," said Dalmas. "I'm doing this for my brothers and The Brotherhood, and I can't wait for what's next.
Dalmas finished the 2023 season ranking second all-time in NCAA history in career field goal percentage (.889) and tied for 15th all-time in career field goals made (80), two achievements that had already etched his name into the Bronco record books. His percentage mark also ranks as the best in Mountain West history.
Dalmas currently ranks third in NCAA history with 93 career field goals, fourth in NCAA history with 506 career points and fifth in NCAA history with a career field goal percentage of .877. He holds the Boise State and Mountain West records in all three categories.
As shared on the Takeover Podcast last spring, his mindset is to be the best kicker in Boise State history and best kicker in the nation.
He went on to make the most of his offseason with numerous community appearances throughout the Treasure Valley and in Idaho Falls, securing multiple NIL deals and even being selected to represent the Broncos at MW Media Days in Las Vegas, an invitation that rarely included kickers.
While in Las Vegas, he displayed his kicking ability at the Circa Las Vegas Stadium Swim, the first person to kick a 60-yard field goal over the venue’s video board and followed up with fellow Bronco Ahmed Hassanein by visiting Market Street to interview visitors about Boise State history.
The biggest thing, just being a local kid, is I've always wanted to give back to this program and this community…what it has given me,” said Dalmas. “I've been able to meet so many amazing people in this community, so many mentors, all who have helped me get where I'm at today. This platform also provides an opportunity to show the younger generation that it's amazing to give back. The community brings so much to your life, and that's something you can always do, is just give back.
All this for a kid that moved to Boise from Colorado when he was just 8 years old with the love of soccer bubbling through his veins, unaware of the Bronco football program and the coaches and players that were building a legacy just down the road from his Meridian home.
It wasn’t until his days as a student and soccer standout at Rocky Mountain High School that U.S. football began to impact his life and future.
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Dalmas didn’t try kicking a football until the eighth grade. He went on to serve as the varsity squad starter for his final three years of high school.
While he moonlighted on the football team, Dalmas was a standout on the soccer pitch, too. As a senior, Dalmas led the state in goals (21) and assists (15), garnering 2016-17 Gatorade Idaho Boys Soccer Player of the Year honors.
Fast Forward to 2020
After completing his mission in California, he returned to Boise to attend Boise State and had a dream to try out as a kicker for the Broncos.
“That was a goal I always had in mind,” said Dalmas. “I would follow my two older brothers and their wives who all graduated from Boise State.”
Much has been written about the walk-on soccer player turned football player who secured a scholarship midway through his freshman season.
Becoming a Bronco
“When you spend time in the building (Bleymeier Center) you learn more about the history of the program, the success of the teams, the Fiesta Bowls, the championships, and how this program was built.”
Carrying on a Legacy
“As soon as I earned my spot on the team, they gave me the number 35 jersey,” said Dalmas. “It wasn’t until other people pointed out that No. 35 was the same number worn by Kyle Brotzman, a name I knew.”
Brotzman's name is scattered all over the Boise State record book. He held the program record with 439 career points until Dalmas broke the record earlier this season. Brotzman still holds the career PAT record with 238, leading Dalmas by 18. He has drilled four 50-yard field goals in his career, tied for the third-most in program history.
Aside from the records, Dalmas quickly became a fan favorite.
What’s Next
“It's always been my plan to declare for the NFL Draft when I'm done with my college eligibility and then just figure it out from there, if I need to explore other opportunities. But I've just been so focused on football, training and preparation for my future, I haven't really thought much beyond that just yet.”
A Perfect Ending
One of the more memorable images from last Friday’s MW Championship Game is the postgame celebration among players, fans and Dalmas himself.
“Honestly, it was such a memorable moment, playing my last game on The Blue, seeing the goalpost be taken down, it was just amazing, obviously, I wasn't expecting the goalpost, nor was anybody else, so that was kind of fun, yeah? But I was taking the time to be on the field and take it all in. It was one of those moments where I needed to stay out on the field, take the pictures, be with my family, just be out there as long as I could, until they shut the lights down and kicked everybody out. I put a lot of hard work into this program, and so I needed to take that moment, take it all in for the last time, and that's what I did. And it was really special, significant. The timing was perfect, and I couldn't ask for a better night.”
But first, graduation.
On Saturday, Dec. 14, more than 2,400 Boise State University graduates will have the opportunity to celebrate at two in-person ceremonies in ExtraMile Arena. In all, 2,416 students who finished their coursework in summer and winter 2024 are eligible for 2,920 degrees and certificates. They join more than 180,000 living alumni of Boise State.