Inside DL Braxton Fely's decision to return to Boise State

A year ago, Ashton Jeanty passed on hitting the portal for a major payday to return to Boise State for a final season. The Broncos running back went in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL draft over the weekend, staying the course with Boise State and leading the program to a berth in the College Football Playoff.

In a similar move Monday, Boise State defensive lineman Braxton Fely announced he was withdrawing from the portal. Fely hit college football’s free agency earlier this month and immediately became one of the most sought-after defensive linemen available.

“So grateful for my teammates and coaches for allowing me the opportunity to come back to the place I love and call home,” Fely told On3. “Fired up to be back in Boise, and I promise you’ll get the best from me!”

Fely visited Miami and Cal, but ultimately decided to return to Boise State. The All-Mountain West Second Team selection posted 9 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in 2024. Boise State’s Spencer Danielson shared on social media that Fely and the head coach had an emotional conversation over the weekend that brought the star defensive linemen back to the Broncos.

“Spencer Danielson and the entire coaching staff at Boise State prove day in and day out that this is one of the premier spots in college football for any player,” Fely’s agent, Bryan Miller of The Familie, told On3. “Development, atmosphere, coaching and an opportunity to play for a national championship. For Braxton, he had just about every logo giving him a call and wanting his talents.

“After a few visits and some eye-popping NIL offers, he quickly determined that there isn’t a better place in the country for him, even if it wasn’t with the highest bidder.”

Miller said Fely had the opportunity to make as much as three-quarters of $1 million in the portal, but the defensive lineman chose Boise State in the end. The opportunity to help Boise State make another run at the CFP was more important.

“As an industry leader in the NIL space, I strongly encourage these young men and women to factor in the long-term money over the ‘immediate gratification,'” Miller said. “The benefits of playing with the university you started your career with and being an all-conference performer often outweigh jumping into a new system with coaches you aren’t familiar with.”

Viewed as one of the top players for the Broncos entering the 2025 season, Fely was a key piece of their run to the College Football Playoff.

“Miami, Ole Miss, Missouri, TCU and Cal were all heavily in the mix, but Braxton and his wife, Kelly, quickly realized that everything they thought may be out there in an open recruitment process was right here in Boise all along,” Miller said.

“I have a ton of respect for Coach Danielson and general manager Brandon Jones. The level of professionalism they have is second to none. Boise State checks every box; this is truly one of the best programs in all of college football. I applaud Braxton for identifying that quickly and the entire BSU program for embracing his return.”