Hampered by injuries, this Boise State RB is ready to ‘prove something’

BOISE (Idaho Stateman) — Stepping onto the field for the first day of fall camp, Jambres “Breezy” Dubar was raring to go.

Persistent lower-body injuries derailed what he hoped would be a successful sophomore campaign in 2024. After a full offseason spent returning to full fitness behind the closed doors of the Bleymaier Football Center, it was time to show his capability.

And then, just minutes into the first day of camp in late July, Dubar went down and was quickly surrounded by trainers. That would be the last the junior running back would see of the field for about two weeks, before returning to individual workouts on Aug. 7.

“I was mad at first,” Dubar told reporters Monday while wearing a thick gray medical boot, which he called a precaution. All Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson said after Dubar returned to workouts was that he suffered a soft tissue injury.

“But I got over it,” Dubar continued. “Gotta push through a lot of trial and tribulation, so you’ve just got to lock into it.”

Dubar’s touches would not have numbered many in 2024, with the Broncos leaning heavily on future NFL first-round pick Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for the second-most yards in a season in NCAA history. But he could have served as a valuable backup.

Now that a generational talent like Jeanty is with the Las Vegas Raiders, Dubar has a lot more playing time to fight for in 2025.

Sixth-year player Malik Sherrod, a transfer from Fresno State, is the only running back older than Dubar on the roster. Dubar is the longest-tenured Bronco in the running back room aside from redshirt junior Seth Knothe, who made the change from linebacker to the backfield in the offseason. The injury made Dubar seem like the forgotten man this summer, as Sherrod and redshirt freshman Sire Gaines have put their stamp on the position.

But Danielson is still bullish on Dubar, noting last week that he could have a “big role” on offense and special teams.

What Dubar has to do, of course, is stay healthy. And he knows what he can do when that’s the case.

On Monday, he pointed to his freshman year, when he managed 335 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 62 carries. He had 99 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, including a 65-yard game against Utah State, in 2024’s injury-laden season.

“Freshman year, y’all saw what I could do,” Dubar said. “So just being hurt (sophomore year), it hurt me a little bit. But this year, I’m back to trying to prove something, just trying to prove I am who I say I am.”

Sixth-year wide receiver Latrell Caples said Monday that Dubar is becoming more consistent every day and has looked good jump-cutting and finding his way through holes.

Dubar said he’s confident of getting snaps in 2025. He said Monday that Sherrod will be the kick and punt returner, while sophomore running back Dylan Riley will also feature on special teams. Back in April, Dubar said he and Gaines have a goal of each reaching 1,000 rushing yards.

“It’s going to be pretty hard for them to take all the reps. So it’s going to be distributed to everybody,” Dubar said. “Everybody’s gonna see the field this year.”