Freshmen won’t be shrinking violets for Idaho football team

MOSCOW, Idaho — Asked how many freshmen might see playing time this season, University of Idaho football coach Nick Holt glanced over a two-sided roster sheet and started counting.

“…4, 5, 6… 9, 10, 11,” he said. “And I’m still on the first page.”

By the time he was finished, Holt estimated the number at 15. That’s true freshmen, and it doesn’t include promising defensive tackle Alex Toailoa, who is out with a fractured ankle.

“There are probably 15 on the two-deep who could see the field, not starters, but play in some capacity,” Holt said.

The youth movement is a reflection of the fact that Idaho is in need of immediate help and has precious little depth, but Holt has regularly sung the praises of the newcomers. Nothing has changed with the Vandals in their second week of fall drills in preparation for their Sept. 4 opener at Boise State.

Of the five players vying for time at running back, two are true freshmen. Rolly Lumbala and Jayson Bird have impressed running backs coach Joel Thomas.

“We’ve got a couple of pretty talented freshmen,” Thomas said. “It’s a really young group. We’ve only got one guy (Cliff Mason) who has taken a college snap before.”

Lumbala, who rushed for 76 yards on 19 carries in Idaho’s first scrimmage Sunday, played at Saint Francis High School in Calgary, Alberta, and was referred to Idaho’s coaching staff by ex-Calgary Stampeders coach Jim Barker. At 6-feet-2 and 241 pounds, Lumbala figures to be one of the biggest running backs to wear an Idaho uniform.

“Like we tell all the freshmen when we’re recruiting, if they can play right now and can help us, they’re going to have that chance,” Thomas said. “Rolly has done a great job preparing before he got here. He’s probably 15 pounds heavier than he was on his recruiting trip and he’s just as fast.”

Jayson Bird, a 6-foot, 220-pounder from Shelley, Idaho, was a state sprint champion and the 3A player of the year. He had 48 yards rushing on 13 attempts in Sunday’s scrimmage.

“The two freshmen will be playing at some point of the season,” Thomas said.

A depth chart hasn’t been established, but one will begin taking shape after Saturday’s scrimmage. Mason, who rushed for 88 of his 138 yards against Louisiana-Monroe as a true freshman last year, has the only collegiate experience, but the job isn’t being handed to him. He was one of only a couple of players who didn’t stay in Moscow for summer conditioning.

Other running back contenders are senior Justin Wall, who was a reserve linebacker last year, and Antwaun Sherman, a speedy transfer from San Francisco City College, who recently joined the team.

“It’s wide open,” Holt said. “The freshmen have a chance and it gives us more depth at that spot. Eventually they’re going to be pretty good.”

Lumbala reminds Thomas of former Vandal great Sherriden May, right down to the No. 32 uniform.

“He’s long-armed and long-legged, he strides in the open field and he keeps guys off his legs,” Thomas said.

Elsewhere, expect to hear the names of true freshmen safety Dan Dykes and defensive tackles Siua Musika and Evan Rudd.

On second thought

Holt wasn’t particularly pleased with the team’s first scrimmage Sunday, but it got better with age.

“I was not very happy afterward, but after looking at it on film it was a little better than I thought,” Holt said. “The first-team offensive line did a good job and the young running backs did some nice things. And the corners and defensive backs did some good things.”

The secondary is taking shape with Chris Nathan and J.R. Ruffin at corners and Simeon Stewart at safety. All three are seniors. Brandon Mascorro has been at the other safety position, but he’s been slowed by a hamstring injury. Dykes worked with the first unit on Tuesday.

Junior Jeff Edwards, a Lake City High graduate, is in the rotation at defensive tackle, Holt said.

Sick bay

The injury list has 19 players, ranging from serious to the normal bumps and bruises from the practice grind. Safety Jarvis Huff, who started three games last year as a sophomore, and reserve wide receiver Tracy McCormick, a Post Falls High grad, have suffered knee injuries and might be lost for the season.

Tight end Luke Smith-Anderson, a Lake City grad, has a broken finger, but he might return next week with the finger in a padded cast. Defensive lineman Mike Bonelli has been sidelined with a strained hamstring.

Notes

The Vandals are tentatively scheduled to scrimmage Thursday and Saturday. … Running back Akeem Anthony and safety Lee Jones are academically ineligible. … Among the numerous walk-ons, Holt cited the play of Mullan’s Jimmy Hegbloom and Colville’s Don Benz. Hegbloom is listed at running back.