Clowe Selects Idaho Central Valley Running Back Decides To Stay Close To Home

Record-breaking Central Valley running back Tyree Clowe went a long way before deciding to take a short trip.

A week after visiting the University of Hawaii, Clowe decided to attend the University of Idaho.

“When I was looking far away, I was thinking about myself,” Clowe said Tuesday night. “When I thought about it, I have family and friends who want to see me play. Going to Idaho is good for me and good for my friends and family.”

Clowe broke 13 Greater Spokane League football records in his three years. Among them were most yards in a game (355), season (2,318) and career (3,937) and touchdowns in a season (29) and career (56).

The Vandals return virtually every starter from a team that won the Humanitarian Bowl, but among those who do graduate is Joel Thomas, who holds almost every UI rushing record.

“Like (Idaho assistant) coach (Randy) Hall told me, `They’re losing their running back who was smaller and slower,”’ Clowe said. “I think that was his way of putting it to me that I have a pretty good chance of playing next year.

“I don’t think I could handle sitting out (redshirting) a year. I wanted to go to a program where I could jump right in and play.”

Central Valley won the state championship Clowe’s junior year with Clowe rushing for 254 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries.

Clowe finished his career with 5,411 yards, third in state history, and 68 touchdowns, sixth. His 2,436 rushing yards as a senior is the No. 2 season in the state and the best per-game average (243.6).

Despite that, Clowe, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, only ended up taking recruiting trips to Idaho and Hawaii, as some questioned his speed.

“It doesn’t matter what school I go to, it’s the program that matters. The name means nothing,” he said. “The coaching staff is just great. I love the coaches.”