CdA QB Colson Yankoff named Idaho Gatorade Player of Year

Coeur d’Alene quarterback Colson Yankoff has been named the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.

The announcement was made Monday by Gatorade. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Yankoff as Idaho’s best high school football player.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior quarterback passed for 3,129 yards and 27 touchdowns this past season, leading the Vikings to a 6-4 record and the Class 5A quarterfinals. Yankoff completed 271 of 400 passes and was intercepted just six times. He also rushed for 968 yards and 26 touchdowns on 112 carries. Yankoff was selected the Inland Empire League’s Class 5A Offensive MVP.

Yankoff has maintained a 3.96 GPA in the classroom. He has volunteered locally as a peer mentor in his school.

Yankoff gave an oral commitment to the University of Oregon in June. But Notredame247sports.com reported Monday evening that Yankoff de-committed.

“I committed to Coach Mark Helfrich, Coach David Yost and that Oregon staff,” Yankoff was quoted by the website. “Things have changed and based on the current situation my family and I believe it’s in my best interest to open up my recruitment and reevaluate things. I’m not going to do any other interviews. Thank you for your understanding. I’m open to any and all schools at this time.”

Immediately following Helfrich being fired, Nebraska and Tennessee offered.

Efforts to reach Yankoff Monday evening were unsuccessful.

Others schools started recruiting Yankoff again when Ducks coach Mark Helfrich was fired.

“Colson Yankoff was the best quarterback we saw all year,” said Camas (Wash.) High coach Jon Eagle, whose team captured the State 4A championship. “He’s accurate, with a strong arm. He extends plays, he has great pocket presence, he can run, and he really competes.”

As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Yankoff will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support.