Following the end of the highly disastrous and disappointing 2011 football season, many disheartened fans were left wondering how the Vandal coaching staff would respond recruiting wise and what was in store for the team. On Wednesday, we got our first look at what the future potentially holds for the program as National Signing Day proved to be a bountiful one for Idaho.
“I can't tell you how happy I am that today is here and we got these signatures in,” Coach Robb Akey joyfully said at the beginning of Idaho’s National Signing Day press conference. “My take on it is that we got a really well rounded class. All three phases of the game; offense, defense, and a kicker are a part of this class. We've got some guys that have the opportunity to come in and help by either competing or earning a starting position.”
Boasting a few home-grown talents was well as plethora of international and nation athletes, Akey and the staff covered all of their bases with this class, signing 11 offensive players, 10 defensive players, one kicker and one “athlete”.
“We were able to meet a number of our needs in this class,” Akey said in regards to the wide variety of players signed. “They are a big part of our future – for a number of those guys that future could be right now.”
For most Northern Idahoans, two very familiar in-state players could make an instant impact on the team. Coeur d’Alene’s QB Chad Chalich and ATH Deon Watson, who helped make Coeur d’Alene High School one of the premiere high school programs in the state, will more than likely be contending early in fall camp for starting positions. Watson, whose skill surpasses the confines of a football field, will also have the rare opportunity to play for the Vandal Men’s basketball team during the football off-season next year.
Whether it is on the field or in the classroom, Idaho as a university has always prided itself on keeping tradition alive and well on campus. This recruiting class is a shining example of that. Watson, CB Jayshawn Jordan, QB Aaron DeCoud, and LB Russell Siavii all have family members that were involved with Vandal Athletics. Siavii’s older brother Robert has been a huge factor in recent years to the improvement of Idaho’s linebackers and the chance to see the two playing beside each other by season end is one that could be incredible.
As exciting as the day has been for the team, the Vandals still have a lot of work to do before spring camp and their September 1st opener against Eastern Washington in the Kibbie Dome. The team is still looking to fill a couple key coaching positions including Steve Axman’s vacated offensive coordinator job.
Here is a complete list of the players that officially signed with the Vandals:
Trae Armstrong - RB, Deer Valley High School, Glendale, Ariz.
Chad Chalich - QB, Coeur d'Alene High School, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Austin Decoud - QB, Redlands East Valley High School, Redlands, Calif.
Jace Johnson - K, Eagle High School, Eagle, Idaho
Jayshawn Jordan - CB, O'Dea High School, Seattle, Wash.
Eric Lemke - TE, Issaquah High School, Issaquah, Wash.
Ma`ne Manaea - S, Lakes High School, Lakewood, Wash.
Matthew Neal - DT, Merrillville High School, Merrillville, Ind.
Kyree Oliver - OL, Heritage High School, Brentwood, Calif.
Addison Palomino - LB, Pinnacle High School, Phoenix, Ariz.
Antonio Perez - DE, Sheldon High School, Elk Grove, Calif.
Russell Siavii - LB, Leilehua High School, Wahiawa, Hawai`i
Semisi Tupou - OL, East Central/Cerritos/Orange HS, Long Beach, Calif.
Toapasi Toki - DT, Chabot JC/Kaelekehe High School, Kaelekehe, Hawai`i
Deon Watson - ATH, Coeur d'Alene High School, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Kyren Watts - WR, College of Siskiyous/New Waverly HS, New Waverly, Texas
Matthew Willis - LB, LA Harbor/Palos Verdes HS, Palos Verdes, Calif.
Andrew Williams - S, Cosumnes Oaks High School, Elk Grove, Calif.
Mason Woods - OL, Terry Fox Secondary, Maple Ridge, B.C.
More information about each player, including game footage, coach’s comments, and stats can be found by clicking on the player’s name.
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