MOSCOW, Idaho – A week ago, Idaho football coach Paul Petrino said the Vandals weren’t likely to add a junior-college quarterback who would compete in spring camp.

But that changed this past weekend, when the Vandals signed former USC preferred walk-on Anthony Neyer. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior-to-be spent last year as a backup at Pierce College in Los Angeles.

“Anthony has great talent,” Petrino said. “He throws a nice ball with a great release. We are very excited to have him join the team in January and compete for the quarterback job.”

Neyer told the Desert Sun of Palm Springs that he signed the letter of intent with UI on Saturday, only 10 days after his initial contact with UI quarterbacks coach Bryce Erickson. He threw just 65 passes this past season at Pierce, where he backed up first-team all-conference QB Nick Arbuckle.

Neyer was at USC in 2010 and 2011. He’ll compete with redshirt freshmen quarterbacks Chad Chalich and Austin DeCoud and senior Taylor Davis in the spring.

Neyer left for a missionary trip in Southeast Asia on Christmas Day, according to the Desert Sun. He’ll return to start classes at UI on Jan. 8.

He’s the sixth JC player to sign with Idaho in the last eight days. In addition to Neyer, Petrino has added a cornerback, two running backs and two linebackers.

Josh Wright