There was a time no one gave a moments thought to a Boise State football player leaving early for the NFL Draft. Now it's a tradition having reached six consecutive seasons!

Late last week Boise State running back Alexander Mattison decided to skip his senior year with the Broncos and take his chances in the NFL Draft.

Some claim he could be a second round pick and others predict Mattison will go undrafted.

One of the reasons Mattison decided to make the jump was because of a crushing hit he suffered in the Mountain West Championship game against Fresno State. He was staggered by the hit and while it was determined he never suffered a concussion it was a reminder just how much punishment a running back takes and the reality the body will only let you play so long.

At 5-11 and 211lbs Mattison is compact and built for the NFL and now he just has to show the NFL scouts and coaches he has the ability to explode at the next level.

Jay Ajayi and Jeremy McNichols, both taken in the fifth round of the draft are the other two BSU backs who left early. Both have experienced the ups and downs of playing in the NFL.

Last year Leighton Vander Esh left the Broncos early, was drafted in the first round and has become the linebacker talk of the NFL.

Six years, six players in a row have left the Boise State football program a season early to test their skills in the NFL. It's a testament to the talent and development of Boise State football and has become the new now!

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