Big Sky Recruiting of The State of Idaho
The State of Idaho has been steadily growing as a High School Football recruiting ground for College Football. Idaho has produced some phenomenal FBS talents in recent times like Taysom Hill, Leighton Vander Esch, Shea McClellin, Taylor Kelly and Tanner Mangum. We also just had a guy like Jonah Elliss out of Moscow High be highly recruited and looks to possibly be the next NFL guy from the state of Idaho.
But for everyone of those guys, there are so many talented individuals coming from Idaho. I worked with Justin Jackson, the founder of Rare Academy ID, to identify some guys that have FCS potential. Even a few I was cautious to post about. According to Justin, there are some SERIOUS sleepers in this years class.
Big Sky schools are starting to notice the talent in the state as well. There are 72 players from the state currently on a Big Sky roster for the 21-22 season. Maybe the more important stat, the blue bloods of the conference have taken notice.
| Big Sky Schools | # of Idaho Players |
| Cal Poly | 0 |
| Eastern Washington | 2 |
| Idaho | 19 |
| Idaho State | 29 |
| Montana | 4 |
| Montana State | 6 |
| Northern Arizona | 0 |
| Northern Colorado | 0 |
| Sacramento State | 0 |
| Southern Utah | 0 |
| UC Davis | 1 |
| Weber State | 11 |
| TOTAL | 72 |
Weber State has won the Big Sky 4 years in a row now and in 2019 made the FCS semi-finals. They have 11 players from the State of Idaho. This includes 2x All-Conference and current Preseason All-Conference Junior George Taralas from Borah High in Boise.
Montana State also has dipped their toe in the Idaho waters when head coach Jeff Choate was at the helm. The St. Maries kid and former BSU assistant knew the gems in the gem state. Tucker Rovig of Mountain View led them under center to the semi-finals of the 2019 FCS Playoffs.
Another former Bronco, UC Davis head ball coach Dan Hawkins has been recruiting the Treasure Valley pretty heavy since taking the helm for the Aggies. He may not have won many of the recruiting battles, but he offers a healthy amount of Idaho kids.
FCS PROSPECTS
Over the course of a couple phone calls and a few of the RARE Academy Idaho camps we has compiled a list of guys in the state that are FCS Prospects.
RARE Academy Idaho is an all-year training academy for kids throughout the whole state. This is not only physical training, but they do alot to help with the mental side of being an athlete and making the move to the college environment. Like many of you, Justin and his team see the potential growing in this State and just want to help these kids get the offers they are capable of. Then have the tools to succeed physically and mentally once on campus.
If you have never checked them out, you should. Its more of a have to see it to believe it. What they do for recruits in this State is amazing and one of a kind. They are only going to continue to grow and help your sons, nephews, neighbors be recognized and preforming at their peak.
The have a staff of former FBS players including Idahos own Brady Strodtbeck who cleared holes for Vandal running backs during the 2016 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Some are borderline FBS guys, others could be PWO/D2 type guys. But this is the crop of dudes to keep your eye on and go see if their team is in your area this season.
| Player | Position | School |
| Davis Thacker | WR | Meridian |
| Ethan Mikita | WR | Eagle |
| Kade Thompson | WR | Rocky Mountain |
| Trais Higgins | WR | Nampa |
| Ethan Castillo | WR | Capital |
| Garret Lavin | WR | Timberline |
| Jackson Mason | WR | Rocky Mountain |
| Gavin Capps | WR | Jerome |
| Fisher Clements | TE | Mt.View |
| Isaiah Sawyer | TE | Mt. View |
| Will Vail | TE | Melba |
| Gage Jones | S | Eagle |
| Adam Ball | RB | St. Regis |
| Cross Antonnacchi | RB | Meridian |
| Taylor Marcum | RB | Timberline |
| Brett Spencer | QB | Weiser |
| Tiger Adolpho | QB | Rigby |
| Carter Fortin | QB | Cole Valley |
| Malakai Martinez | QB | Meridian |
| Kaimen Peebles | QB | South Freemont |
| Owen Toledo | OL | Rocky Mountain |
| Gunnar Clark | OL | Mountain Home |
| Talin Togiai | OL | Rigby |
| Seth Knothe | LB | Bishop Kelly |
| Caden Kelley | LB | Rocky Mountain |
| AJ Edwards | LB | Rocky Mountain |
| Garrett McKenna | LB | Mountain View |
| Jackson Berger | LB | CDA |
| AJ Edwards | LB | Rocky Mountain |
| Landyn Young | DL | Rocky Mountain |
| Liam Reeves | DL | Timberline |
| Jaxson Washington | DL | CDA |
| Deion Tawzer | DL | Rigby |
| Charles Judy | DL | Skyview |
| Jackson Beck | DL | Mountain View |
| Aiden Whipple | DL | Mountain View |
| Zachary Clark | DB | Post Falls |
| Alameen Abimdola | DB | Mountain View |
| Casey Cope | ATH | Vallivue |
| Tao Johnson | ATH | Thunder Ridge |
There is loads of talent on this list. But there are a couple guys I want to highlight. Particularly in terms of Idaho going after them. I’m going to spotlight a few in no particular order.
Adam Ball 6’0 200lbs RB #17 St. Regis
I know this could be looked at as cheating since St.Regis the town is technically in Montana. But it is a border town and Adam is attending the RARE Academy Idaho showcases. He is not just attending, he is preforming. When Justin talks about this kid, you hear it in his voice. He is something special. He is the reason something like RARE exists.
If there is one name to take away from this piece. It is Adam Ball. Justin speaks so highly of this guy I am planning on attending a St. Regis game in person this season. (Scroll down for a list of MUST catch games this fall). Ball has been a standout at every event and is still under the radar. Almost, so much so, I just wanted to leave him off the list and just text our coaches about offering this kid. I just couldn’t not mention him, he deserves the recognition and WILL BE the steal of this class.
Davis Thacker 6’3 205lbs WR # 6 Meridian
Davis is the brother of Damen Thacker who just started 23 games for the Vandal hoops team. We know Paul Petrino is always talking about “family”. He loves recruiting sons, brothers, nephews of coaches, former players etc. Damen Thacker did transfer out and was apart of a different athletics program, but this is a move I would not be surprised to see our athletic department make.
Davis currently does not have any offers.
Taylor Marcum 6’0 185lbs RB #21 Timberline
If you follow prep football, this one is obvious. Taylor Marcum is one of the highly recruited guys in the state. In fact on July 18th he committed to Montana State. But, we have seen recently verbals change before NSD. He has an offer from the Vandals and Idaho is building a bit of a pedigree of giving in-state RBs playing time. Lets not forget the first play of the 2019 season against Penn State, Paul put in true freshman Nick Romano RB from Rocky Mountain and threw the ball to him. He is not afraid to say RBs from the state of Idaho are big time.
Garret Lavin 6’1 180lbs WR #19 Timberline
Yes, back to back Timberline guys. But, me myself, I am a Timberline guy. “The strength of the pack is the wolf and the strength of the wolf is the pack.”
Garrett is another legacy type guy. He comes from a Vandal family and just a guy I would love to see be given a shot. Even if our receiver room is getting crowded.
He does not currently have any offers.
Gage Jones 6’1 185lbs DB Eagle
Likely the best defensive back in the State, Gage is poised to have one heck of a season. With a few seasons now of poor secondary play. Getting this local stud would go along way to sure up the backend.
Jaxson Washington 6’1 260lbs DL #78 Couer D Alene
The kid is just one of those grinders. He has got a gym in the garage at home and from looks of it has spent some time with his second cousin Washington States star RB Max Borghi. He also is a very good wrestler, which is a extra bonus in a lineman. He also won the RARE Showcases events top 6 lineman honors.
The Vikes have put out loads of division one talent in the past decade. It is a program you trust. Our defensive line isn’t getting any younger. We should be looking to add 2 to 3 guys on the line in this class.
He currently has 3 offers from a few NAIA and such schools, some sort of offer from the Bengals in Pocatello. But looks to be getting looks from and Montana. His father is a former walk-on and they are a big Griz Family. They have been exposed to the Vandals and we could get him, but if Montana offers (especially before us) it would be hard to win this recruiting battle.
Malakai Martinez 6’0 180lbs QB #3 Meridian
Maybe a bit under the radar until recently. He is starting to show-up everywhere. He was one of if not the first QB Justin gave me. Then on August 8th he was announced the 6th best QB in The Northwest 9 the QB camp former guest of the podcast Taylor Barton runs.
Right now has no offers, I know Idaho has brought in the likes of CJ Jordan, Gevani McCoy and MacCloud Crowton. But you can never have too many QBs.
Hayden Klincheloe 5’10 215lb RB #23 Homedale
This one is a me pick. I watched Hayden in 3A state semis and final last season. He was hard not to notice. I turned to my friend I was in attendance with and said “this is the type of kid Idaho needs to offer.” I later learn he comes from a deep vandal family.
Feedback I got throught the grapevine is his speed is a concern. Well, if you can’t tackle him it doesn’t really matter does it?!
Games To Catch FCS Talent
For some of you football nuts out there, you want to catch these guys before they may suit up for or against the silver and gold in the coming years. I compiled a list of games to catch to watch some of this FCS talent under friday night lights around this beautiful state.
Week 1
Treasure Valley
Mountain View vs Meridian - Meridian,ID (Mountain View, HS)
- 9 possible FCS guys
Capital vs Nampa - Boise, ID (Donnar Larson Park)
- 1 Possible FCS guy
Eagle vs Bishop Kelly - Boise, ID (Bishop Kelly HS)
- 3 possible FCS guys
Magic Valley
Buhl vs Weiser - Buhl, ID
- 1 Possible FCS guy
Twin Falls vs Vallivue - Twin Falls, ID
- 1 Possible FCS guy
Week 2
Spokane-CDA Area
Lakeside vs St. Regis - Plummer, ID
- 1 Possible FCS STUD
Treasure Valley
Rocky Mountain vs Mountain View - Meridian, ID (Rocky Mountain HS)
- 13 Possible FCS guys
Nampa vs Skyview - Nampa, ID (Skyview HS)
- 3 Possible FCS guys
Idaho Falls
Rigby vs Post Falls - Rigby, ID
- 5 Possible FCS guys
Week 3
Spokane-CDA Area
Koontenai vs St.Regis - Harrison, ID
- 1 possible FCS STUD
Treasure Valley
Rocky Mountain vs Meridian - Meridian, ID (Rocky Mountai HS)
- 11 Possible FCS guys
Week 4
Spokane-CDA Area
Clark Fork vs St. Regis - Clark Fork, ID
- 1 Possible FCS STUD
Post Falls vs Mount Si (WA) - Post Falls, ID
- 2 Possible FCS guys
Magic Valley
Thunder Ridge vs Rigby - Twin Falls (Thunder Ridge HS)
- 4 Possible FCS guys
Week 5
Treasure Valley
Skyview vs Rocky Mountain - Nampa, ID
- 10 Possible FCS guys
Melba vs Cole Valley - Melba, ID
- 2 Possible FCS guys
Week 6
Treasure Valley
Eagle vs Timberline - Eagle, ID
- 5 Possible FCS guys
Meridian v Skyview - Meridian, ID
- 5 Possible FCS Guys
Week 7
Treasure Valley
Timberline vs Rocky Mountain - Boise, ID (Donna Larson Park)
- 11 Possible FCS guys
Skyview vs Eagle - Nampa, ID (Skyview HS)
- 4 Possible FCS guys
Magic Valley
Canyon Ridge vs Mountain Home - Twin Falls (Canyon Ridge HS)
- 1 Possible FCS guy
Week 8
Treasure Valley
Homedale vs Weiser - Homedale, ID
- 2 Possible FCS guys
Vallivue vs Bishop Kelly - Caldwell, ID (Vallivue HS)
- 2 Possible FCS guys
Timberline vs Skyview - Boise, ID (Donna Larson Park)
- 5 Possible FCS guys
Spokane-CDA
Coeur d’Alene v Post Falls - Coeur d’Alene, ID
- 4 Possible FCS guys
Idaho Falls
Sugar-Salem vs South Fremont - Sugar City, ID
Week 9
Treasure Valley
Rocky Mountain vs Meridian - Meridian, ID (Rocky Mountain HS)
- 11 Possible FCS guys
*** As always I”m not an journalist so, take your gramatical error comments, & put them in a beg some-Where. Hope you enjoyed the content regarless if you maid it too dis disclaimer
Tubs at The Club 
Leave a Reply