Idaho continues to find success under head coach Jason Eck, however that is only part of the story. While Eck may be responsible for recruitment, play calling, strategy, practice sessions and just about another dozen things for the team, the one thing he isn’t responsible for is exactly how players perform on Saturdays.
That is up to the players.
And this year, Idaho’s players performed very well. The Vandals had 14 players making the All-Big Sky First, Second and Honorable Mention teams, the only team having more players on the teams are the undefeated Montana State Bobcats. The All-Big Sky teams are voted on by the coaches of the teams that make up the Big Sky, with no coaches being able to vote for players on their own team.
Idaho’s players that made the Big Sky First Team are as follows:
Ayden Knapik- A junior Offensive Tackle from Kennewick, Washington. Knapik has been instrumental in Idaho’s game plan for three seasons now and has made the All-Big Sky Honorable Mention team in 2022 and 2023.
Jaxton Eck- A sophomore Linebacker from Brookings, South Dakota. He is Coach Eck’s son and one of the leaders of the defense. Eck has accrued 110 total tackles and an interception on the season.
Keyshawn James-Newby- A senior Edge from Helena, Montana. James-Newby spent time as the sack leader for the entire FCS this season. He has sacked opposing QBs 9 times and has 13.5 TFLs.
Dallas Afalava– A sophomore DT from Seattle, Washington. Afalava has been a key member of Idaho’s front line posting 5 sacks, 26 tackles, 6 TFLs and 8 QB hurries.
Tommy McCormick- A senior Safety hailing from Fallon, Nevada. McCormick made the All-Big Sky third team in 2022 and was an All-Big Sky honorable mention in 2023. This season McCormick has been invaluable to Idaho’s secondary, posting 3 INTs, 47 tackles and 4 PD.
Andrew Marshall- A junior DB from Eastvale, California. Marshall had 42 total tackles this year, as well as a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Marshall also attained a second All-Conference honor this season, being nominated to the All-Big Sky Honorable Mention team as a Kick Returner for the Vandals. He has both a punt-return TD and a kick-return TD.
Dwayne McDougle- A redshirt junior DB from Oakland, California. McDougle had 51 tackles during the season. After stepping into the starting spots midway through the season McDougle was nothing less than dominant and has also been a key player on special teams.
The Idaho players that made the All-Big Sky Second Team are as follows:
Jordan Dwyer- A redshirt WR from Puyallup, Washington. Dwyer has been the favorite target for all of Idaho’s QBs this season. His ability to shred coverage has left him or his teammates open on almost every passing play for the Vandals. He finished the regular season with 837 receiving yards and 8 TD grabs.
Mike Martinez- A senior TE from Long Beach, California. Martinez has been a staple of the UI offense with his blocking and his receiving ability. Martinez finished the season with 85 receiving yards and 2 TDs.
The Idaho players that made the All-Big Sky Honorable Mention Team are as follows:
Mark Hamper- The other half of UI’s receiver duo, a redshirt freshman from West Linn, Oregon. Hamper hauled in 5 TDs and 853 yards. His feature play from the season was a 74-yard screen pass touchdown to ice the game against Weber State.
Nate Azzopardi- A redshirt junior OL from Pacifica, California. Azzopardi is a key member of Idaho’s offensive line and never allowed a sack all year, as well as being the vocal leader of Idaho’s front line.
Malaki Williams– A redshirt senior DL from Gilbert, Arizona, Williams is a huge point in Idaho’s defensive success. He tackled 32 ballcarriers this season and had 3 QBH and one FF.
Isiah King- A redshirt senior OLB from San Diego, California. King had 42 tackles, 1 INT, 1 QBH and 1 FR and was instrumental in UI’s pass coverages this season.
Zach Johnson- A redshirt sophomore OLB from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Johnson had 76 tackles, 2 QBH and 1 FF. Johnson is a key member of Idaho’s run defense, including a seven-tackle game in a close game against UC Davis.
You can reach Jack DeWitt at [email protected]