Max Cutforth: Local Product, Now Starting QB
The redshirt sophomore will become only the fourth Boise-area player to start at quarterback for the Broncos in the last 55 years on Saturday. It will be a moment he's been dreaming of.
Chris Kutz
Max Cutforth knew something was about to happen.
During warmups before Boise State’s game against Air Force in mid-September, the redshirt sophomore quarterback made an unusual adjustment to his routine. Instead of keeping his wrist coach clipped to his waist as usual, he strapped it to his wrist. He made sure his mouth guard was ready. All week, he had paid extra attention to the “openers” - the plays Boise State wanted to establish to test the defense in the first few offensive drives.
“And sure enough, second play, it was ‘here we go,’” said Cutforth when then-starting quarterback Maddux Madsen went down with an injury. “All week, watching film, (I was) staying ready.”
After the first drive ended on a three-and-out, Cutforth later led the Broncos on a nine-play, 75-yard scoring drive that resulted in a Dylan Riley rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the first quarter. Madsen would go on to return to the game and Boise State beat Air Force 49-37.
The moment of preparation for Cutforth, though, captures the journey that has brought the Skyview High School production to Saturday night’s biggest stage: his first career start when Boise State (6-3, 4-1 MW) faces San Diego State (7-2, 4-1 MW) at Snapdragon Stadium in a game that could determine who plays and hosts in the Mountain West Championship.
When Cutforth takes that opening snap around 8:30 p.m. MT (CBS Sports Network, Bronco Radio Network), he’ll become just the fourth quarterback from the Boise area to start for the Broncos since 1970, joining Boise State Hall of Famer Jim McMillan (Vallivue, 1974), Rodeo Hall of Famer Dee Pickett (Vallivue, 1976) and Travis Stuart (Meridian, 1992) in that exclusive group.
The path for Cutforth, though, has been anything but straight.
Two years ago as a true freshman, Cutforth was running the scout team as a preferred walk-on. He was a Bronco in 2023 after receiving only the opportunity from Boise State. No FBS scholarship offers after playing offense and defense at Skyview as a senior. At quarterback, he completed 70% of his passes for 1,640 yards and 16 touchdowns in six games. Despite the lack of interest from the FBS level, Cutforth saw the preferred walk-on spot at Boise State as all he needed.
“Perfect. That’s all I needed. I just need a chance,” he remembered thinking.
Growing up 30 minutes from Albertsons Stadium in nearby Nampa, Cutforth had dreamed of playing on The Blue as a Bronco. He attended games as a kid and played in youth league games on the famous turf. When he was recruited by the Boise State coaching staff, it was early validation his dream was possible.
“I remember coaches coming to my school, these coaches walking with this big ol’ Boise State Bronco head logo on their shoulders, and I felt like the coolest person ever because this team is (Idaho’s) NFL team,” said Cutforth.
The scout team grind humbled Cutforth. Going from a big-time star in high school - who also played basketball for the Hawks - to watching more than playing in college, he was being tested. But he was humbled and grateful to wear the Blue and Orange, a program he grew up watching, though. He also appreciated his dad teaching him to be ready.
“He never let me quit (growing up). He never gave me an opportunity to quit,” Cutforth said.
Everything changed around the Fiesta Bowl last December. The Broncos were coming off a Mountain West Championship, but then-backup quarterback Malachi Nelson entered the transfer portal before the College Football Playoff game. Head coach Spencer Danielson called Cutforth into a meeting. Cutforth was prepared - as typical for him - with a list of reasons he deserved a scholarship. Danielson had a different kind of challenge.
“My reps doubled, tripled during the Fiesta Bowl weeks,” said Cutforth. “And (Danielson) said we’re going to see what you can do against a live defense, game prep, all of that.”
After the CFP game, while his teammates were away for rest and relaxation after the long season, Cutforth - benefiting from being a local product - was nearby for a sudden meeting called by Danielson. When Danielson sat down with him in January, the news was life-changing.
“(Danielson) pulled me in and said, 'We're going to put you on scholarship,’” Cutforth recalled. “But he said, ‘Here’s the thing. Is that all you wanted? Or do you want to go play?’ He gave me a challenge.”
The first call, naturally, went to his parents. His father didn’t answer initially, but when the family finally connected, the excitement was overwhelming.
“They’ve lived in Idaho their whole lives, and being at Boise State is exciting,” said Cutforth. “Someone took a chance on me, and so far it’s panned out.”
Cutforth has played in nine career games prior to this week. Two last year as a redshirt freshman and seven this year. It has been mostly mop up duty, except for the last game against Fresno State. When Maddux Madsen went down early in the game, Cutforth was forced to step in. He finished 14 of 29 with 106 passing yards and a touchdown and two interceptions. The loss was disappointing, but the opportunity to play was not a situation one wishes for.
“You don’t wish it was that way, but the reality is, it is that way,” Cutforth said of getting his opportunity through injury. “I was doing everything I can as QB2 to be ready. But knowing that I’m starting, there’s always more to do.”
The relationship with Madsen has been crucial. During games this season, Cutforth helped Madsen talk through scenarios from a player’s perspective. Now the roles are reversed, with Madsen - who has been nearby during practice the last two weeks but not participating due to his injury - offering guidance as they walk through game situations together.
“It’s good having that set of eyes, too,” said Cutforth. “Maddux and I are super close. I think the world of him. I think he’s an amazing quarterback. It’s awesome to have him in my corner, pushing me, helping me out.”
The two have also connected through their competitiveness. In the meeting room during game weeks, quarterbacks coach Zak Hill holds a drawing contest. Hill will give the group a prompt to draw, and the fastest to complete the task wins.
“We compete with each other all the time,” said Cutforth.
While they share a mutual trait in being overly competitive, Cutforth believes his differentiator from Madsen is him going out of his way to pick up the team and lift or maintain the “next play” mindset. He may have been doing it when he was the backup, but it showed he was ready to step up in a leadership role.
“I’m in that role where there’s one less leader out there now,” said Cutforth. “I feel I have taken a big responsibility in filling that leadership role, especially at the quarterback position.”
Danielson has seen another jump in Cutforth’s development over the past couple of weeks, aided by the team’s bye week that provided extra prep time.
“I don’t need Max to be anybody but himself,” said Danielson on Monday at his weekly press conference. “I don’t need you to be Maddux. I don’t need you to try and become this completely different (player). I need Max’s best.”
For Cutforth, the moment represents the culmination of a childhood dream that began on the same field where he has practiced and played over the last three seasons. He’s now leading the Broncos in their biggest game of the season.
“This is what you dream of. It’s brought me back to when I was a little kid,” he said. “This is the shot that I’ve always been dreaming of.”
The local kid who has lived in the Boise area since he was two years old and once watched Boise State games from the stands with his family is now ready to write his own chapter in program history, one play at a time.
“I’m here to play football, I’m here to win us some games,” said Cutforth. “The hard work, the grit, and the trust in the whole process. I’ve worked my way up, from being a walk-on. Brick by brick, play by play, over and over and trusting the process.”