There is no reason to think the Boise State football team will not have a dominant defense in 2018, losing just one starter.
But that one? Yeah, it’s big.
The Broncos will start the process of filling Leighton Vander Esch’s void when spring practices start Monday. Losing the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year is a major loss, but replacing productive players isn’t anything new.
“We’ve always wondered, ‘how do we replace Tanner (Vallejo)? How do we replace Leighton? How do we replace the leadership of Sam (McCaskill)?” defensive coordinator Andy Avalos said. “There are guys waiting in the shadows that are chomping at the bit, to have their opportunity.