Idaho football rounded up their signing class bringing in 11 future Vandals to help further success for the program.
Idaho now has 26 new student-athletes joining the team with nine of them enrolled in the spring semester.
“If this isn’t our best class we’ve signed here, it’s definitely one of the best classes we’ve put together,” Idaho head coach Paul Petrino said in a press release.
The Vandals were able to add depth on offense and fill holes on defense after many veterans on the defensive side of the ball left the team.
Idaho found much talent at linebacker and wide receiver positions throughout recruiting, making it an intriguing storyline heading into the upcoming season. The Vandals brought in a few running backs as well to try to find somebody to fill the void left behind by Vandal great Isaiah Saunders.
The new additions include nine high school seniors and two FBS transfers that will be able to play right away for Petrino’s squad.
The two FBS transfers happen to be brothers transferring over from Boise State. Kayode Rufai played in 19 games for the Broncos at defensive end, while brother Mujeeb redshirted last season and will have four years of eligibility playing at defensive back.
Kayode will have two years of eligibility remaining and brother Mujeeb will be able to spend his whole career as a Vandal after being redshirted in the 2018 season.
Idaho brought seven recruits out of the state of Arizona, including three-star prospects and twins Hayden and Hogan Hatten from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale.
Hayden Hatten made second team all-conference at the tight end position during his senior year at Saguaro High School leading his team to a state championship. The three-star prospect caught 38 receptions for 763 yards and averaged over 20 yards per reception. Hayden will try to add on to the depth for the Idaho offense at a position that has been under utilized the past few seasons.
Hogan Hatten became an all-region linebacker during his senior season finishing with 52 tackles with 10 of them being tackles for loss.
Teammates David Eppinger and Daseau Puffer played together at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona, and will now continue playing together as Vandals.
Eppinger made second team all-region at defensive back and ranked as the seventh best cornerback in Arizona by USA Today. At wide receiver, Puffer made second-team all-region for Chandler helping his team to three consecutive 6A state titles. Puffer caught 10 touchdowns during his senior season and finished with 693 yards receiving.
Sully Shannon from Brophy Prep in Phoenix will also join Idaho after being named Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year at linebacker. Shannon finished his senior season with 100 tackles and five interceptions.
Idaho landed second-team all-state selection Nehemiah Parker from Mountain Home, Idaho, as well as bring in two eastern Washington offensive lineman Josh Guzik out of Rogers High School in Spokane and Jack Schuster from Richland High School.
Parker caught seven touchdowns and hauled in 33 catches for 505 yards throughout the season and was named second-team all-state and first-team All-Great Basin Conference.
Kaleb Covington was one of the Vandals final additions throughout Signing Day and will help bring more depth for the wide receiver position. Covington caught 42 passes for 809 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 425 yards on 52 carries. The former running back and now wide receiver could serve as a double threat for the Idaho offense.
Including early signees, the Vandals will have five new wide receivers to add on to a wideout core lead by Jeff Cotton and Cutrell Haywood.
“The assistant coaches did a great job of filling our needs and adding a couple of just really good players,” Petrino said.
Petrino says that each of the new signees should be prepared to play right away.
According to Hero Sports, Idaho ranks 37th amongst the FCS with this recruiting class.
With an exciting offseason for recruiting, fans will have an opportunity to see the unit come together when spring football picks up in a few months.
Chris Deremer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cderemer_VN