Idaho Recruits In A Big Way Vandals Number Large Linemen Among Their Football Signees
Idaho signed almost a ton of linemen Wednesday on national letter of intent day.
That’s seven linemen, six weighing 250 or more, tipping the scales at a combined 1,870 pounds. Their average size is roughly 6-foot-4 and 267 pounds.
“The size these kids are getting in high school is unbelievable,” UI football coach Chris Tormey said.
Idaho announced 22 newcomers. A wide receiver who is expected to commit would hike the total to 23 and several more players are visiting Moscow this weekend. The NCAA limit is 25.
Entering its second year in the Big West Conference, Idaho has bumped its scholarships to the 75-78 range, Tormey said. I-A schools can offer 85; I-AAs only 63.
Four signees are from North Idaho. They are quarterback Brad Rice and linebacker Laki Ah Hi from state champion Lewiston; Sandpoint’s Ryan Knowles, a 250-pounder who runs sub-5-second 40-yard dashes; and Moscow’s Drew Owen (6-7, 276 pounds).
Idaho went for beef because graduation hit hard. Dan Zeamer and Richard and Steven Zenk graduated from the offensive front and Tim Wilson is the lone returning starter on the defensive line.
“The foundation of any good program is the offensive and defensive lines and you have to have those guys coming up through the program,” Tormey said. “We feel real good about this group. They’re not slugs.”
Knowles, Mike McAllister (6-2, 286), from Atascadero, Calif., and Josh Wright (6-6, 290), of Mukilteo, Wash., could contend for playing time next year, Tormey said. McAllister bench presses more than 400 pounds.
Idaho added two quarterbacks in addition to Rice, a fine athlete in the mold of former Vandal Eric Hisaw.
John Welsh, a Chicago native, played at Milford Academy, a Connecticut prep school, last fall. The experience doesn’t count against his college eligibility. Jeffrey Townsley, from Miami, is comparable athletically to current wide receiver Robert Scott, coaches said.
Welsh will join Brian Brennan, Ed Dean, who has returned from a Mormon mission, Idaho State transfer Shon Piel and Darick Pope of Post Falls in the quarterback race. Brennan, who has started eight games, is rehabilitating from shoulder surgery and is throwing the ball 65 yards. Pope, up to 225 pounds, might be moved to tight end.
Johnny George, also from Miami, could be an impact linebacker if he can add bulk to his 185-pound frame. First, however, he must qualify academically.
The Vandals have signed only one junior-college player. Andrew Uto-Uko, a cornerback from Foothills JC in San Jose, Calif., should minimize the loss of Jasper Williams, who became an academic casualty.
Tormey pointed out several speedy running backs, including Bremerton’s Anthony Tenner (11.0 in the 100 meters) and Ighe Evero, of Alta Loma, Calif., who ran an electronically timed 10.82.
Speed also is a common trait of the linebackers. George, Jason Martin (Vancouver, Wash.), Yasir-Jamaal Cole (Santa Monica, Calif.) and Ah Hi are agile.
“We think we’ve gotten help across the board,” Tormey said, who would like to redshirt as many of the freshmen as possible.
Former Vandals punter Justin Spiva has signed with Utah State. Spiva ran into academic problems and left UI last spring.
, DataTimes