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AROUND THE BEEHIVE — The path to Boise State was anything but straight for American Fork quarterback Maddux Madsen.
Not long ago, Madsen was on the verge of committing to New Mexico, a historically woeful program in the Mountain West known for its option-based offense.
Madsen can use his legs. But he's also a strong passer, a three-star dual-threat quarterback who completed 66% of his passes for 3,004 yards and 38 touchdowns with just six interceptions — his second consecutive season with more than 3,000 passing yards for the Cavemen.
His dream school for a long time? Boise State. But when the Broncos didn't have a scholarship for him and initially accepted quarterback Katin Houser to run their system, Madsen felt understandably frustrated. He never gave up on his dream school — but at times, it was tough.
When Houser de-committed from Boise State in June, the 6-foot signal caller was glad he stuck around. He finalized his earlier commitment Wednesday on the first day of the NCAA's early signing period. New Boise State coach Andy Avalos and his staff kept in contact with the Cavemen gunslinger; and by January, Madsen had his offer.
"The one thing about (Boise State) is they are always super honest," Madsen told BroncoNationNews.com. "They didn't know if they wanted to take another quarterback … but I knew those were the guys that I wanted to play for. They showed that they really care, and that's super important to me."
Madsen wasn't the only local product to sign Wednesday; he wasn't even the only one from his team, joining American Fork tight end Noah Moeaki, who submitted his national letter of intent to play at BYU after a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints early in the morning.
But Madsen was glad he waited for the Broncos — and that the Broncos waited for him.
"I knew I was going to go there from the first time I talked to them," said Madsen, a top-100 pocket passer by ESPN. "Even my family knew. So when they gave me the offer, I just committed."
Not every top-tier football player from Utah signed with BYU, or the Utes, the Aggies or even FCS Weber State. Here's a look at the local standouts who signed to play outside of the Beehive State.
If you can't read the graphic below, click here.
