MOSCOW, Idaho — The Idaho Vandals were picked to finish third in the Big Sky after the two Montana schools this season by both the media and coaches.
The Vandals boast a roster with five preseason all conference players despite losing several stars from last year's FCS quarterfinal team to the NFL and transfer portal.
"I think it's the fun part of college football is seeing which guys emerge. We had some household names among our fans that we lost last year, but we will have some new household names. We just need to get those guys established over the course of the season and there is always great optimism to start it off," Idaho head coach Jason Eck said.
This year, the Vandals have a new signal caller in redshirt sophomore quarterback Jack Layne. Coach Eck and his teammates believe Layne's hard work has prepared him well to run with this opportunity.
"I think he is definitely ready, he is one of the hardest working guys I have ever met. He puts a lot of time in outside of practice and he is a good leader of the team. He does a lot of things right on and off the field, so I think he is ready and I am excited to see what he does this year," Idaho senior safety and preseason All-Big Sky selection Tommy McCormick said.
"That is a guy that is always locked in no matter what he is doing. I see him in the Kibbie Dome probably 80 percent of his day. He never leaves there and is always hustling, so that is a guy I am excited to see play," Idaho senior EDGE and preseason All-Big Sky selection Keyshawn James-Newby said.
As for the Vandal defense, it boasts three of the five preseason all conference selections and even under new coordinator Dan Jackson, the team believes the defense will be a key strength of this year's squad.
"This year's defense is going to be a powerhouse, have fun trying to get past us, that is all I have to say. We are going to be strong, we are going to be good," James-Newby said.
"For us to be a championship team, for us to win the Big Sky, we need to have the best defensive line in the conference this year, and I think that is within our grasp," Eck said.
Idaho did lose both of the team's starting cornerbacks in the offseason, but the team is excited to see the boost from transfer corners Corry Thomas Jr. and K.J. Trujillo.
"Bringing in Corry and K.J. along with Abraham Williams to go with Andrew Marshall in our cornerback room, I believe we have a lot of depth and experience in that room, probably more depth than last year to keep those guys fresh and playing hard," Eck said.
The Vandals will begin fall camp on July 31st ahead of opening the 2024 season on the road in Eugene against College Football Playoff favorite Oregon on August 31st.
"Just talking about that game now gives me goosebumps, playing in front of 60,000 plus people, it is going to be exciting," James-Newby said.
"It is going to be a fun one, you know season opener sold out in Autzen, it will be a fun one and the thing about those games is it is just opportunity, no one really expects anything, so anything we do out there is just good opportunity for us, so I am excited," McCormick said.
"I think it is a great opportunity for our players, I think our team is going to be very excited to go play in that atmosphere and get a chance to test ourselves against a top five team in the nation," Eck said.
