Vandals begin spring football practice today

From news services

MOSCOW — Under the direction of new head coach Jason Eck, the Idaho Vandals will hold the first of 15 spring football practices on the East Practice Field today at 4:30.

“We are excited to start spring practice on Tuesday,” Eck said. “Our guys have done a great job with winter conditioning thus far.”

The Vandals’ spring season will conclude with the annual Silver and Gold spring game on April 30, which will move south to the Treasure Valley this year due to facility upgrades in the Kibbie Dome.

The spring game will take place at Eagle High at 11 a.m. PDT.

The Vandals will plan to practice each Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday over the next four weeks leading up to the spring game. Tuesday and Thursday practices are scheduled for 4:30 p.m., with Saturday practices at 10:30 a.m.

As many as 30 returning letter winners are expected to be on hand this spring and next fall. Idaho returns nine starters from its 2021 team — six on offense and three on defense — with 13 letter winners back on offense, 14 on defense, plus three on special teams.

In addition to Eck, Idaho welcomes 10 new on-field coaches for the spring, led by new offensive coordinator Luke Schleusner, defensive coordinator Rob Aurich, and special teams coordinator Thomas Ford. The staff will look to implement new schemes in all three phases, although much of the foundation was laid throughout offseason meetings and workouts this winter.

“We have gotten our base schemes installed and have taken advantage of the new NCAA rule that allows offseason walk-throughs,” Eck said. “We are ready to get the pads on now and see guys flying around full speed.”

After losing 12 seniors to graduation, plus two juniors who opted to enter the NFL Draft (All-American linebacker Tre Walker and defensive lineman Noah Elliss), as well as grad transfer Logan Kendall, a fullback, to Utah, the Vandals will be led by a new crop of 14 seniors on this year’s roster, although some may choose to use their extra season of COVID eligibility. Returning players include linebacker Fa’avae Fa’avae, running back Roshaun Johnson, offensive lineman Logan Floyd and tight end Connor Whitney.

The Vandals will also welcome several transfers who will be joining the team for spring practices, including defensive back Murvin Kenion III from City College of San Francisco; safety Mathias Bertram and his defensive lineman brother Ben Bertram, who both played at New Mexico in 2021; Devante Keys, a defensive end from Kilgore College in Texas; Ricardo Chavez, a kicker and punter from Riverside City College; and Jason Hahlbeck, an offensive lineman from NAIA powerhouse Morningside University (Iowa).