Time for the real thing

MOSCOW, Idaho – Since his arrival in February, Dennis Erickson has been the visible face of University of Idaho athletics. He’s featured in ad campaigns and on a weekly radio show. He’s traveled the state, shaking hands with Vandals faithful and speaking to numerous booster groups.

Lest anyone forget, however, Erickson is a coach at heart and that was on display Friday as he unveiled the latest edition of Vandals football with a lengthy opening-day practice.

Erickson was hired after national letter-of-intent day, but he’s been busy on the player front. He estimates 12 to 13 of the 33 Vandals newcomers are his recruits, most being walk-ons. Those arrivals have helped fortify the 64 returning players, who have made jumps of their own.

“Our strength coach (Scott Gadeken) has done a great job,” Erickson said. “We’re quite a bit stronger than when I first got here in the winter, and with the addition of some players we’re a little bit faster than we’ve been. We’ve got to continue to upgrade all the time, that’s what we have to do. It makes for people being competitive.

“Maybe looking over your shoulder isn’t good for coaches, but for players I think it’s pretty good.”

Erickson ran a crisp, albeit long practice. He spent time with every position, but gravitated near the quarterbacks when they were involved in passing drills.

“He’s real similar to when I played for him (at Oregon State),” quarterbacks coach Jonathan Smith said. “He’s great with quarterbacks. These guys are going to learn a ton from him, just like I did.”

Erickson has brought in a trio of JC transfers at receiver, a position that the coach didn’t feel too comfortable with after spring drills. They are Jomar Drake, Marlon Haynes and Tariq Ikharo, who is expected to arrive in a few days. Cary Jensen-Madison, a 6-foot-2 freshman from Los Angeles, is another new face at receiver.

“I thought there was a lot of retention (from spring) with the first groups on both sides. We kept it pretty simple but for the most part our offensive front, quarterbacks, running backs and tight ends did a pretty good job of executing what we had in from spring,” Erickson said. “We had a great summer.

“The leaders on our team ran 7-on-7 twice a week, scripted it themselves and ran it themselves. They spent a lot of time in summer doing the things we did in spring and it makes a heck of a difference.”

The opening practice wasn’t as noisy as drills run by ex-head coach Nick Holt.

“Nick was an intense guy, everybody knows that and practice was more intense. Everything was full speed,” said sophomore defensive tackle Josh Shaw, a Lewis and Clark grad. “Everything is still intense, but it’s a little different. He (Erickson) knows what he’s talking about and he’s been there. It’s a welcome change. It’s nice to have a little change. … And practice is different because we have all these new guys. We have third- and fourth-string guys instead of the ones and twos going 50 reps.”

Erickson said he’ll evaluate the newcomers for the next 3-4 days to determine which ones can provide immediate help.

“There was a lot of confusion with the younger guys, but there’s a lot of talent with the younger guys athletically,” he said.

Notes

The No. 1 defense featured Charles Campbell and Ben Alexander at ends, Ryan Davis and Shaw at tackles, Reggie Jones and Stanley Franks at cornerbacks, Tone Taupule and Jevon Butler at safeties, and David Vobora, Josh Bousman and Robert Davis at linebackers. Robert Davis should face a stern test from Jaron Williams and JC transfer Jo Artis Ratti at middle linebacker. … The No. 1 offense had Steve Wichman at quarterback, Jayson Bird at running back, Luke Smith-Anderson at tight end and a front five of Nate VanderPol (left tackle), Jade Tadvick (left guard), Adam Korby (center), Adam Juratovac (right guard) and Kris Anderson (right tackle). Numerous receivers ran with the first unit, but most of the time it was Wendell Octave, Lee Smith and either Wes Williams or Max Komar at the slot. … Punter T.J. Conley will face a challenge from Tino Amancio, who is also in the running for kicker.