Idaho finished 10-4 on the season in November after a crushing loss to the then undefeated Montana St. Bobcats. The future looked bleak for fans, students and prospective players as the recent success, head coach and skilled players seemed to slip through their fingers and onto other programs.
However, after some decisive hirings, signings and recruiting, Vandal football continues to show the fans that they are not rebuilding but instead evolving. On Feb. 5, Head Coach Thomas Ford Jr. announced the signing of 33 new players to the program. 23 of the players are high school recruits, seven are 4-year transfers and three are junior transfers.
Ford Jr. emphasized revamping the Idaho defense signing 11 defensive lineman, six defensive backs and four linebackers. The offense only gained 12 total new players including five offensive linemen, three receivers, two running backs and two tight ends.
Signees:
| Harrison Deshazer: | DL | Fr. | Washougal, Wash. / Washougal HS | |
| Shepard Fish: | DL | Fr. | Meridian, Idaho / Capital HS | |
| Austin Flaherty: | DL | Fr. | Boise, Idaho / Borah HS | |
| Jack Giannini: | LB | Fr. | Eagle, ID / Eagle High School | |
| JoJo Matautia: | OL | Fr. | Renton, Wash. / Eastside Catholic | |
| Brody Michael: | LB | Fr. | Queen Creek, Ariz. / American Leadership Academy | |
| Sawyer Hewett: | WR | Fr. | Juliaetta, Idaho / Kendrick HS | |
| Mason Krahn: | DL | Fr. | Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS | |
| Caden Siegner: | DL | Fr. | Star, Idaho / Owyhee | |
| Nate Williams: | DL | Fr. | Eagle, Idaho / Eagle HS | |
| Lonyatta Alexander Jr.: | WR | Sr. | Auburn, Wash. / Montana State | |
| Will Cornelson: | LB | RJr. | Cedar Park, Texas / Tyler JC | |
| Oliver Fisher: | TE | RSo. | Sherwood, Ore. / Boise State | |
| Maurice Heims: | DL | Gr. | Hamburg, Germany / Washington | |
| Tim Jackson: | DB | Jr. | Van Nuys, Calif. / College of the Canyon | |
| Donovan Parham: | DL | Gr.t | Lakeland, Fla. / Mississippi Valley State | |
| Khaled Rawls: | DB | So. | Walls, Miss. / NE Mississippi CC | |
| Martin Rhyne: | LB | Fr. | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / Western HS | |
| Kai Richardson: | DL | RFr. | Puyallup, Wash. / Oregon State | |
| Zahkari Spears: | DB | Jr. | Los Angeles, Calif. / UCONN | |
| Howard Stedford: | OL | Jr. | Orlando, Fla. / Pace University | |
| Ma’ake Apo: | DL | Fr. | Orem, Utah / Orem HS | |
| Brody Borrevik: | DL | Fr. | Eugene, Ore. / Sheldon HS | |
| Mason Culmer: | TE | Fr. | Chandler, Ariz. / Basha HS | |
| Cameron Glenn: | OL | Fr. | Springfield, Ore. / Sheldon HS | |
| Ryan Holmes: | OL | Fr. | West Linn, Ore. / West Linn HS | |
| Tsiyown Lowery: | DB | Fr. | Maple Valley, Wash. / Tahoma HS | |
| Nolan McWilliams: | WR | Fr. | Auburn, Wash. / Roosevelt HS | |
| Wyatt Mickleberry: | RB | Fr. | Bothell, Wash. / Bothell HS | |
| LeRonn Nelson: | OL | Fr. | Sacramento, Calif. / Destiny Christian Academy | |
| Taeshaun Reese: | RB | Fr. | Meridian, Idaho / Meridian HS | |
| Jayden Rice-Claiborne: | DB | Fr. | Tacoma, Wash. / Curtis HS | |
| Caleb Ricks: | DB | Fr. | Gonzales, La. / St. Amant HS | |
Most of the mid-year transfers, and one freshman player are already on campus working out with the team. The Vandal’s Spring practice begins on Mar. 24 and will run until April 25, the day of which Idaho will play its annual Black Vs. Gold spring game.