As the 2025 FCS offseason marches on, HERO Sports will look at five questions for the 2024 quarterfinalists.
Next up is Idaho.
Idaho finished 10-4 last year, losing 52-19 at Montana State in the quarterfinals. Here are five questions for the Vandals entering 2025.
Does The Program Momentum Continue?
Idaho wasn’t relevant nationally in its first few years back in the FCS after returning from the FBS level, going 4-7 in 2018, 5-7 in 2019, 2-4 in 2020-21, and 4-7 in 2021. But the hiring of Jason Eck after the 2021 season woke up a sleeping giant.
The Vandals went 7-5 in Eck’s first season, reaching the 2022 playoffs. They then made back-to-back quarterfinal appearances, finishing 9-4 in 2023 and 10-4 last season. The 2024 campaign was especially impressive after Idaho lost a majority of its offensive talent. Eck parlayed that success into an FBS head coaching gig at New Mexico.
That resulted in a tough exodus of players to the transfer portal.
Seventeen Idaho players have transferred to the FBS, including seven to New Mexico. The Vandals saw other players land at schools like Illinois, Nebraska, TCU, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin, showing how much individual talent was on the 2024 roster.
Idaho reloaded last season after losing key players to the FBS. Can it do so again under new head coach Thomas Ford Jr.?
The Vandals have what it takes as a program to remain relevant in the FCS. Idaho wants to be good in football, and it has strong fan support. Similar to the Dakotas and Montana schools, being in a more rural place is a benefit in the FCS. But we also saw what Idaho looked like before Eck.
Ford is known to be a great recruiter. He and his staff will have a lot of holes to fill as Idaho returns few starters. But you’d rather take over a program after a coach left for the FBS than take over a program because the coach got fired.
How Is The Quarterback Spot Looking?
Jack Layne was Idaho’s starter in Week 1 and in the final stretch of the season, missing September and most of October with a broken collarbone. Layne transferred to New Mexico this offseason.
Jack Wagner returns after filling in for Layne as the starter. Wagner had some up-and-down moments, as expected for a redshirt freshman. He finished 94/172 for 1,389 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Nick Josifek, another redshirt freshman, actually replaced Wagner as the starter at Montana State in the regular season, but he suffered an injury in that matchup and Wagner returned as the guy until Layne was back in action.
Josifek is also back and looks to push for the starting job with Wagner.
Who Steps Up At WR?
This was the exact same question last year after Idaho lost standouts Hayden Hatten and Jermaine Jackson to the NFL following the 2023 season.
But Idaho’s strong recruiting showed off when two youngsters filled that production just fine. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Dwyer totaled 1,192 receiving yards, and redshirt freshman Mark Hamper had 961. Once again, though, the top receivers need to be replaced as Dwyer transferred to TCU and Hamper landed at Wisconsin.
The Vandals did land Lonyatta Alexander Jr. via the portal, an impact receiver at Montana State. The run game should be strong as well to set up the pass. Two of the top running backs, Nate Thomas and Elisha Cummings, are returning in 2025.
Who Emerges On Defense?
Idaho has to replace its top six tacklers and 16 of its top 18.
Isiah King withdrawing from the transfer portal was big for the Vandals. The linebacker finished seventh on last year’s squad with 48 tackles, including 2.5 TFLs and two interceptions. Zach Krotzer returns on the interior of the defensive line after totaling 40 tackles, three TFLs, one sack, and five quarterback hurries.
The Vandals landed Mississippi Valley State defensive end Donovan Parham, who tallied 47 tackles, eight TFLs, and five sacks last season. They also brought in three FBS transfers — UConn DB Zahkari Spears, Oregon State LB Kai Richardson, and Washington DE Maurice Heims.
Does The Development Continue On The Lines?
Idaho showed noticeable progression on the offensive and defensive lines during Eck’s time as head coach, an area you need to be good in to have success at the FCS level.
The d-line has plenty to replace heading into 2025, returning just two players who logged more than 300 snaps — Zach Krotzer and Sam Brown.
The offensive line has a decent core coming back, though. Nate Azzopardi (6’3″ 296 lbs) and Layton Vining (6’2″ 285 lbs) played over 750 snaps last year. Kiegan Henson (6’5″ 290 lbs) added 400 snaps. Nathan Knapik (6’7″ 285 lbs) has strong potential, the younger brother of standout Ayden Knapik, who transferred to Illinois. Nathan played in five games last season as a true freshman.
With the return of running backs Nate Thomas and Elisha Cummings and quarterback Jack Wagner, Idaho’s offense has a nice chunk of key contributors to build around. Continued progression on the o-line is crucial, though.
