Boise State Edge Rusher Virgin-Morgan Struggles
Fifth-year team captain Jayden Virgin-Morgan has recorded just one sack through the first three games of the season.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
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Boise State University edge rusher Jayden Virgin-Morgan has faced a slow start to the 2026 season with only one sack despite being ranked the 61st best college player by ESPN. The program currently faces significant challenges defending the pass, ranking 136th out of 138 teams nationally.
Why it matters
Boise State struggles to contain opposing passing attacks, allowing an average of 381 yards per game through the air. Increased pressure on the quarterback from players like Virgin-Morgan is essential to force errors and provide the secondary with more time to cover receivers.
Boise State has managed only five total sacks and 12 quarterback hits through three games. This follows the 2024 and 2025 seasons where Virgin-Morgan recorded 16 total sacks.
The players
Jayden Virgin-Morgan
He is a fifth-year edge rusher and team captain at Boise State University.
Boise State University
The institution fields a college football program that competes in the Mountain West Conference.
ESPN
The media corporation provides comprehensive sports coverage and maintains national college football player rankings.
The details
Virgin-Morgan attempts to impact games by exploding off the line of scrimmage to win gaps and force the quarterback into quick decisions. The team remains focused on tightening coverage schemes as they prepare for their upcoming contest.
Timeline
Virgin-Morgan became a regular starter in 2023.
Boise State participated in the College Football Playoff in 2024.
Boise State defeated South Dakota 38-24 on Saturday.
Boise State plays Western Michigan on September 26, 2026.
The Stats
The team is attempting to return to the performance level required for the 2024 College Football Playoff after early season defensive struggles. This current defensive output marks a departure from the competitive standards established by that postseason appearance.
The team must improve its pass rush to move up from its current 136th national ranking in passing defense. The upcoming game against Western Michigan features a 7.5-point betting line that reflects current defensive volatility.
The takeaway
Effective defensive pressure remains a critical component for Boise State to stabilize its secondary play throughout the remainder of the schedule. Improving sack production will be vital as the program aims to return to its previous high-level postseason standards.
Further reading
For additional analysis on the team, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Statesman.
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