His football career started at QB. Now he’s a veteran on Boise State’s offensive line

If not for a strict diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and protein shakes, Cade Beresford might have been a very different football player.
That PB&Js-for-days diet — as dad Harry Beresford coined it — transformed Beresford from a tall and skinny high school quarterback to a behemoth offensive lineman by his senior year who was sought after by programs like USC, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska and Oregon State.
While his college career began at Washington State, it will end in a Boise State uniform this fall as a sixth-year senior.
And at 6-foot-7 and 308 pounds, Beresford is projected to be the Broncos’ starting right tackle for the second year in a row.
“We’re still competing for spots. Nobody’s got set spots,” Beresford said after Wednesday’s opening practice of fall camp. “I’ve gotta earn my keep still. Nothing’s given, so you’ve gotta work hard for it, but I’m excited for these guys that are coming back just to see how we develop through this fall camp leading up to UW.”
Boise State opens the 2023 season Sept. 2 at Washington (1:30 p.m., ABC).
Beresford adds stability and veteran leadership to an offensive line that will have new starters at left tackle and center this season.
“He’s a great player. You can see all of the attention that he’s been getting, but he’s just a great guy,” Boise State edge Demitri Washington said. “… He’s someone who just works every day and tries to get an edge anywhere that he can, whether that’s in the film room, the weight room, whether that’s in rehab or anything like that. It’s really awesome to see his development and see how he works.”
While Boise State considers its team a brotherhood, Beresford can claim that relationship on the team quite literally in younger brother Jack Beresford, who is a redshirt sophomore tight end.
The Woodinville, Washington, products spent plenty of time together this summer pushing each other to be at their best.
“I’m always yelling at him from across the weight room or on (individual) drills or something like that just trying to get on him, or he’ll get on me, too,” Cade said. “It’s a little competition and we know we can push each other. Once we get more reps side by side next to each other, I think we’re gonna be yelling at each other probably even more. It’s gonna be cool.”
Harry Beresford is planning to attend every game this season. He doesn’t want to miss a potential chance at seeing his boys on the field together, especially when they’re suiting up for his alma mater. Harry played left tackle for Boise State from 1991 to 1993, but admits his boys may have gotten their athleticism from mom, then Shawna Fortney, who played forward for the Idaho State women’s basketball team from 1989 to 1993.
“It would be a proud moment,” Harry said of seeing both boys on the field together during a game. “There’s nothing else to say except that those two have worked so hard. But as a dad, I get kind of choked up even talking about it. It’s exciting. Not many people can say that that’s happened in their families. I just love that my boys want to do it and they’re having fun doing it and (BSU head coach) Andy (Avalos) is giving them both the opportunity to do it.”
Boise State’s projected offensive line
Left tackle: With starter John Ojukwu now in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, competition at this spot will likely come down to redshirt freshman Kage Casey and Texas Tech transfer Ethan Carde, who is a senior. Casey took snaps with the first team on the first day of fall camp.
Left guard: The starting nod is likely to go to redshirt senior Ben Dooley — who coach Andy Avalos said from a physical standpoint is one of the better offensive linemen “that we’ve had here in a long time.” Possible backup? Redshirt sophomore Tyler Keinath, a transfer from Western Illinois, or sophomore Favor Komolafe, a transfer from Los Medanos Community College.
Center: Mason Randolph (redshirt sophomore) is moving to center from right guard, and he’ll compete alongside redshirt junior Nathan Cardona.
Right guard: A starter at left guard last season, Garrett Curran is moving to the right side of the ball this fall. Possible backup? Redshirt freshman Roger Carreon.
Right tackle: Cade Beresford adds stability to the line starting at RT for the second year in a row. Best guess at backup? Redshirt sophomore Rick Moore.