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Boise State Athletics
Ford Earns Mention on Comeback Player of the Year Watch List
8/20/2026 1:00:00 PM | Football
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State wide receiver Ben Ford earned mention on the Comeback Player of the Year Watch List, the organization jointly announced with College Sports Communicators, the Associated Press and the Fiesta Bowl. The award is presented annually to a student-athlete who overcomes injury, illness or other circumstances. Ford is one of three Pac-12 players on the 94-member list, joining Colorado State tight end Pearce Spurlin III and Oregon State defensive back Noble Thomas Jr.
Ford was one of Boise State's top receivers in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury. In seven games, he caught 21 passes for 325 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. All five of his scores came at home, making him the only player in the nation to catch five touchdowns in four or fewer home games. He tallied 82 yards and two touchdowns in the home opener against Eastern Washington, scoring on receptions of 60 and 6 yards. The Eagle, Idaho native also had a two-touchdown effort against New Mexico, notching a career-high six catches for 78 yards. The sixth year was named Preseason All-Pac-12 second team by Athlon Sports.
Broncos on 2026 Watch Lists
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp Award, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000, AFCA Good Hands Team Nominee)
RB Dylan Riley (Maxwell Award)
WR Ben Ford (Comeback Player of the Year)
TE Matt Wagner (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Roger Carreon (Outland Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Daylon Metoyer (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Stewart Taufa (Polynesian Player of the Year)
DL David Latu (Polynesian Player of the Year)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, Senior Bowl Top 300, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB Jaden Mickey (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB JeRico Washington Jr. (East-West Bowl 1000)
P Oscar Doyle (Ray Guy Award)
HC Spencer Danielson (Dodd Trophy)
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Ford was one of Boise State's top receivers in 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury. In seven games, he caught 21 passes for 325 yards and a team-high five touchdowns. All five of his scores came at home, making him the only player in the nation to catch five touchdowns in four or fewer home games. He tallied 82 yards and two touchdowns in the home opener against Eastern Washington, scoring on receptions of 60 and 6 yards. The Eagle, Idaho native also had a two-touchdown effort against New Mexico, notching a career-high six catches for 78 yards. The sixth year was named Preseason All-Pac-12 second team by Athlon Sports.
Broncos on 2026 Watch Lists
QB Maddux Madsen (Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Walter Camp Award, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000, AFCA Good Hands Team Nominee)
RB Dylan Riley (Maxwell Award)
WR Ben Ford (Comeback Player of the Year)
TE Matt Wagner (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Roger Carreon (Outland Trophy, East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Daylon Metoyer (East-West Bowl 1000)
OL Stewart Taufa (Polynesian Player of the Year)
DL David Latu (Polynesian Player of the Year)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lombardi Award, Senior Bowl Top 300, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB Jaden Mickey (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, East-West Bowl 1000)
DB JeRico Washington Jr. (East-West Bowl 1000)
P Oscar Doyle (Ray Guy Award)
HC Spencer Danielson (Dodd Trophy)
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--BroncoSports.com--
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