‘Blessed to be a Bronco’: John Molchon has been the heart of Boise State football

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 | 2 a.m.

Surrounded by cameras and flanked by showgirls, Boise State offensive lineman John Molchon shifted his head from side to side and shuffled his feet.

The awkward silence permeating the first media event of the Las Vegas Bowl — in which Molchon was joined by Washington defensive lineman Benning Potoa’e at Maverick Helicopters — only ceased when Washington coach Chris Petersen moved into frame and cracked a joke.

Molchon may come off as uncomfortable as the center of attention in media appearances, but that’s the antithesis to his role among this year’s Mountain West Conference champion Broncos.

“I think one of the reasons we won a championship this year is we have great leadership and he’s a big part of that,” Boise State coach Bryan Harsin said. “What you don’t see behind the scenes is when a guy like John will echo a message that needs to be said again so everyone in that locker room gets it, and that’s not easy to do amongst your peers.”

Harsin described Molchon, the Broncos’ lone offensive captain, as indispensable to Boise State for more than just his leadership. The 6-foot-5, 318-pound local native has also been among the Broncos’ most valuable players on the field.

He’s naturally a left guard but also shifted to left tackle and right tackle throughout the season because of injuries. He’s started 42 games since his redshirt freshman season at Boise State in 2016. The 43rd and final will come at 4:30 p.m. Saturday evening at Sam Boyd Stadium when the Broncos face the Huskies in the last Las Vegas Bowl before next year’s planned move to Allegiant Stadium. Not bad for someone who only started playing offensive line as an undersized junior at Faith Lutheran High.

“You could see the potential of this guy in what maybe he could be as a player, but it was more just who he is that was always a big thing to me,” Harsin reflected on recruiting Molchon. “I remember his family, eating at his house, everyone at the table and just some of the conversations we had. It was like, ‘All right. This guy fits exactly what we’re looking for. He’s going to be a great Bronco.’ I hoped as a player he was going to be able to step up and do the things he’s done, and now here he is.”

The Mountain West coaches named Molchon a first-team all-conference performer for the second consecutive year earlier this month. It’s the type of accolade Molchon can remember Harsin telling him he would have the opportunity to earn when he was still in high school.

It wasn’t the family dinner that stuck most with Molchon, but rather a visit to Boise when he sat on a couch in Harsin’s office and listened to the coach’s long-term vision for both him and the program.

Molchon took every word to heart, even though it might have been hard to believe as an introverted high schooler.

“It all came true,” Molchon said. “It took a lot of hard work, a lot of confidence in us as players. It’s been a fun ride. That’s what I was expecting, and it’s been a lot more than that.”

Bouncing between positions has derailed some college football players’ careers, but it’s something Molchon has always been able to do seamlessly. He played fullback and tight end at Faith Lutheran until coach Vernon Fox took over his junior year and shifted him to tackle.

The switch proved shrewd, as Molchon won the 3A Lineman of the Year award and led the Crusaders to their only state championship. In addition to the title, Molchon said his best high school football memories were working with Fox and then offensive assistant Nate Knight to learn offensive line play.

“They gave me the opportunity and dream to play collegiately,” Molchon said. “I didn’t know where I was going to be or how things were going to work out. I’m just really blessed to be a Bronco.”

The Las Vegas Bowl brings Molchon full circle for more than simply playing in front of his hometown. Petersen, who is stepping down after the game, had already left Boise State for Washington by the time Molchon was being recruited and arrived, but offensive line coach Scott Huff hadn’t.

Huff recruited and coached Molchon for two years before eventually following Petersen to Washington. Molchon has kept in touch with Huff, who will complete his third season with the Huskies on Saturday.

“He’s always cheering for us and thinking about us,” Molchon said of Huff. “He has a job to do at Washington, and he’s done a phenomenal job. Honestly, I’m just happy he’s been given this opportunity.”

Transience is inherent in college football, but that doesn’t make it any easier for players and coaches to accept. Harsin, for instance, knows he has one last game with a vital group of seniors that includes Molchon.

That doesn’t mean he wants to think about what next season will be like without the leader of his team.

“It’s hard to see guys like this leaving your program because all you want to see is guys like this coming into your program,” Harsin said. “But I can say this: When he leaves, he’s leaving this better than where he found it. I know that.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.