MOSCOW, Idaho - Idaho football signed 11 future student-athletes to National Letters of Intent or financial aid agreements Wednesday, on the first day of the 2019 regular signing period, head coach Paul Petrino announced. The Vandals inked nine high school seniors and two FBS transfers who will be eligible to compete immediately.
 
The group of 11 future Vandals joins 15 football student-athletes who put pen to paper during the early signing period, including nine who are already enrolled for the spring semester.
 
"If this isn't our best class we've signed here, it's definitely one of the best classes we've put together," Petrino said. "The assistant coaches did a great job of filling our needs and adding a couple of just really good players. They should all work right now like they're going to help right away. If they're ready to play, we're going to play them."
 
Wednesday's addition to the class includes two sets of brothers and another pair of high school teammates.
 
Brothers Kayode and Mujeeb Rufai both signed with Idaho as transfers from Boise State. Kayode, a defensive end who appeared in 19 games for the Broncos, will arrive as a redshirt junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Mujeeb redshirted in 2018, his first season in Boise. The defensive back will have four years remaining.
 
Twins, and three-star prospects, Hayden and Hogan Hatten of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. were two of six Idaho signees from the state of Arizona. Two more, David Eppinger and Daseau Puffer, were teammates at Chandler High School in Chandler, Ariz. Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year Sully Shannon (Phoenix/Brophy Prep) rounded out the Arizona contingent. Wide receiver Kaleb Covington (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle High School) teamed up with the Hatten twins before they transferred to Saguaro for their senior years.
 
Idaho landed in-state wide receiver Nehemiah Parker from Mountain Home, Idaho (Mountain Home High School). Parker was a second-team all-state selection as a senior.
 
The Vandals also locked up two high school standouts from eastern Washington in offensive lineman Josh Guzik (Spokane, Wash./Rogers High School) and Jack Schuster (Richland, Wash./Richland HS).
 
February Signees

Kaleb Covington
WR | 5-10 | 175
Phoenix, Ariz. | Pinnacle HS
All-Desert Valley Conference First Team at Pinnacle High School…caught 42 passes for 809 yards and 12 touchdowns…rushed for 425 yards on 52 carries (8.2 yards per carry)…moved to wide receiver from running back prior to senior year...played with top-ranked quarterback in 2019 class, Spencer Rattler.


David Eppinger
DB | 5-11 | 177
Chandler, Ariz. | Chandler HS
Second team all-region defensive back at Chandler High School…helped Wolves to third-consecutive 6A state title…began prep career at Perry High School…ranked as No. 7 cornerback in Arizona by USA Today…limited to seven games as a senior, recorded two interceptions and 42 tackles...recorded nine tackles in state championship game against Perry.


Joshua Guzik
OL | 6-6 | 277
Spokane, Wash. | Rogers HS
First-team All-Greater Spokane League 3A offensive lineman at Rogers High School…MVP of Eastern Washington's Big Man Camp…took eighth at state in wrestling as a junior...profiled as a KXLY Shining Star as a senior.


Hayden Hatten
TE/WR | 6-3 | 218
Scottsdale, Ariz. | Saguaro HS
Second-team all-conference tight end as a senior at Saguaro High School, helping Sabercats to state championship…rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports…tallied 38 receptions for 763 yards (20.1 yards per reception), eight receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, a passing touchdown, and two sacks his senior year…began prep career at Pinnacle High School…all-state selection as a junior, tallying 68 catches for 1,029 yards and 16 touchdowns.


Hogan Hatten
LB | 6-3 | 218
Scottsdale, Ariz. | Saguaro HS
First-team all-region linebacker as a senior at Saguaro High School, helping Sabercats to state championship…rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports…recorded 52 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks…forced one fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown…began prep career at Pinnacle High School…two-way player for the Pioneers at linebacker and tight end…caught 15 passes for 240 yards and four scores as a junior.


Nehemiah Parker
WR | 6-4 | 182
Mountain Home, Idaho | Mountain Home HS
Second-team all-state selection and first-team All-Great Basin Conference wide receiver for Mountain Home High School as a senior…hauled in 33 receptions for 505 yards and seven touchdowns…also scored on a 95-yard run…led Tigers to state playoffs in 2018.


Daseau Puffer
WR | 6-4 | 181
Chandler, Ariz. | Chandler HS
Second-team all-region wide receiver at Chandler High School...helped Wolves to three consecutive 6A state titles…38 receptions for 693 yards (18.2 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns as a senior...six receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown in Chandler's regular-season finale.


Kayode Rufai
DL | HT | WT
Portland, Ore. | Boise State
Spent three seasons at Boise State…will be eligible immediately at Idaho as a redshirt junior…redshirted as a freshman in 2016 and appeared in 19 career games across 2017 and 2018…made 18 career tackles, including one tackle for loss and half a sack…career-high four tackles against Air Force in 2018…half sack came in 2018 season opener at Troy…2017 Academic All-Mountain West…first-team All-Portland Interscholastic League and honorable mention all-state as a senior at Lincoln High School…began prep career at Lake Oswego High School…rated a three-star recruit out of high school by 247Sports and Rivals…top-10 recruit in the state of Oregon according to multiple outlets.


Mujeeb Rufai
DB | 6-0 | 198
Portland, Ore. | Boise State
Redshirted as a freshman at Boise State in 2018...will be eligible immediately at Idaho as a redshirt freshman in 2019…first-team All-Portland Interscholastic League as a senior…began high school career at Lincoln High School, where he was an all-conference selection in football and basketball.


Jack Schuster
ATH | 6-4 | 187
Richland, Wash. | Richland HS
Played tight end and defensive end for Richland High School…helped Bombers to undefeated state championship as a junior…team returned to the playoffs as a senior, finishing season 7-3…also letters in basketball at Richland.


Sully Shannon
LB | 6-1 | 200
Phoenix, Ariz.| Brophy Prep
All-Region First Team and Premier Region Defensive Player of the Year…All-USA Arizona First Team…played safety at Brophy Prep…played senior season under former NFL quarterback Jon Kitna…recorded 100 tackles and five interceptions in his final prep season.


January Additions

Robert Miller
LB | 6-0 | 205
Olive Branch, Miss. | NW Mississippi Community College
Played in all 21 games during two seasons at Northwest Mississippi Community College...helped the Rangers to 16 wins, two playoff appearances and one bowl game...94 career tackles, six TFLs and three sacks...forced one fumble, recovered two and broke up five passes...redshirted at Memphis during 2016 season before transferring to NWCC...two-star prospect at Olive Branch High School...as a senior recorded 118 tackles, seven TFLs, two sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Trae Nichols
DB | 6-1 | 195
Modesto, Calif. | Modesto Junior College
Played 20 games over two seasons at Modesto Junior College...recorded 80 career tackles, including 6.5 for loss and two sacks...intercepted 10 passes in his career, tallying five each season...led Modesto to 8-3 record, including th school's first win against City College of San Francisco in 60 years to claim the Golden State Bowl title...second-team All-Modesto Metro Conference defensive back at Modesto High School...invited to Lions All-Star Football Classic following senior season.

Ryan Swanson
DB | 6-0 | 180
Eagle, Idaho | Boise State
Spent 2018 season at Boise State...did not appear in a game for the Broncos...redshirted 2017 season at Portland State...lettered in football, basketball, golf and track at Eagle High School...5A SIC Co-Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-State in football...113 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four interceptions, six forced fumbles and 19 pass breakups in 2016...team MVP for football and golf as a senior...part of a golf team that won six straight state titles.

December Signees

Marquese Albert
RB | 5-8 | 185
New Orleans, La. | John Curtis Christian HS
Four-year letterwinner at perennial power and nationally-ranked John Curtis Christian High School…rated by 247Sports as a three-star prospect and the No. 29 all-purpose back in the country in the class of 2018…highest-ranked all-purpose back to sign with an FCS school…ran for 887 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior, including five 100-yard games…led John Curtis to Catholic League title and appearance in the state semifinals…returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in his career…missed majority of senior season with injury…will enroll at Idaho in the spring.

Tanner Brooks
LB | 6-4 | 217
Spokane, Wash. | Mt. Spokane HS
First-team All-Greater Spokane League linebacker as a senior…helped Mt. Spokane to an 8-3 mark and the 2018 3A state playoffs…56 tackles, including 13 for loss and 7.5 sacks…caught 31 passes for 541 yards and four touchdowns…All-GSL First Team tight end as a junior…helped Mt. Spokane win 3A GSL title in 2017…also an all-league basketball player…led Wildcats to state quarterfinal appearance as a junior.

Nate Cisco
QB | 6-4 | 180
Franklin, Tenn. | Independence HS
Two-year starter at quarterback for Independence High School…two-time Tennessean Sports Boys' Athlete of the Week…won most recent award after leading Independence to a 42-32 win over Summit in week two of his senior season, throwing for 365 yards and two scores…passed for 2,280 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior.

Satchel Escalante
DB | 6-0 | 182
Casa Grande, Ariz. | Scottsdale CC
Second-team All-Western States Football League and second-team all-region as a senior at Scottsdale Community College…led Arizona Community College Athletic Conference with 12.3 tackles per game…registered double-digit tackles in all 10 regular-season games, with a high of 16…hauled in three interceptions…helped Fighting Artichokes to a 7-4 record, including a berth in the Valley of the Sun Bowl…as a freshman recorded 39 tackles and three interceptions…picked off a pass in three consecutive games and added a fumble recovery for four takeaways in a three-game stretch from Sept. 23-Oct. 7…recorded 87 tackles and four interceptions as a senior at Hamilton High School.

Noah Gunn
OL | 6-5 | 290
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Coeur d'Alene HS
2017 All-Idaho 5A First Team…All-Inland Empire League as a senior…helped Coeur d'Alene High reach 5A state title game…rated as the No. 6 prospect in Idaho by 247Sports for the class of 2018…will enroll at Idaho in the spring…spent 2018 at Air Force Prep Academy.

Austin Holt
BUCK | 6-3 | 255
Palatka, Fla. | College of the Desert (Calif.)
First-team All-Mountain Conference as a sophomore in 2017…three-star prospect according to 247Sports…played in 19 career games at College of the Desert, recording 84 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss…forced and recovered two fumbles…registered five sacks and 12 TFLs as a sophomore…two-time Southern California Defensive Player of the Week…helped COD to a 6-5 record as a freshman in 2016, including hosting a postseason bowl game for the first time in 22 years…will enroll at Idaho in the spring with two years to play two.

Jalan Jenkins
LB | 6-1 | 209
Evanston, Ill. | Butte College
2018 All-Nor Cal League…recorded 87 tackles, including five games with double-digit stops…tallied three sacks among 6.5 tackles for loss…led Butte to 9-2 record and berth in the California Community College Athletic Association playoffs...team ranked No. 1 in the region and No. 3 in the state at end of regular season…played freshman season at Indiana State in 2017, appearing in four games and registering seven tackles…two-time All-Central Suburban League selection in high school at Evanston (Ill.) Township…CSL South Defensive MVP as a senior in 2015…second-team all-area…career prep totals of 201 tackles, five sacks, 13 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries…team captain…intends to enroll at Idaho in the spring and have three years to play two.

Coleman Johnson
BUCK | 6-0 | 240
Fayetteville, Ark. | Fayetteville HS
2018 7A all-state selection…two-star prospect according to 247Sports…119 career tackles, including 47 tackles for loss and 20 sacks…member of Fayetteville's 2016 state title team…helped Bulldogs to consecutive second-round playoff appearances as a junior and senior…younger brother of current Vandal All-America offensive lineman Noah Johnson.

Kiahn Martinez
RB | 5-8 | 190
Denver, Colo. | Regis Jesuit HS
First-team 5A all-state as a senior…three-star prospect according to 247Sports…ran for 1,110 yards as a senior, including 633 over final four games of regular season to get Regis Jesuit to the playoffs…added 498 receiving yards for 1,608 all-purpose yards on the season and 27 touchdowns (20 rushing, seven receiving)…rushed for 3,384 yards and 49 touchdowns in his career, added 685 receiving yards and nine touchdowns through the air...also competes in track and field.

Sean McCormick
WR | 5-10 | 180
Fallon, Nev. | Churchill County HS
Led Churchill County to 3A state title as a senior…All-Nevada selection…two-time 3A Northern League MVP…two-way standout…two-star prospect according to 247Sports…rushed for 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior, including a 372-yard performance in the state semifinals…also picked off eight passes on defense…as a junior, threw for 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns while running for 1,294 yards and 17 scores…recorded eight interceptions on defense…scored 53 career touchdowns…standout in baseball and wrestling…reigning state champion in wrestling in 160-pound class.

Kevin McGuire
WR | 5-9 | 177
Los Angeles, Calif. | Culver City HS
Led Culver City to first CIF title in 40 years, winning 2018 CIF Southern Section Division 7 championship…rated a three-star prospect by 247 Sports…highest 247 Sports composite rating (.8399) by an Idaho signee since 2010…tallied more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and scored 24 touchdowns as a senior…caught 69 passes for 1,169 yards and 18 scores…added 331 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground…also threw a touchdown…team finished 12-3, including four sectional playoff wins by a 32-point average margin of victory…set school records for career receiving touchdowns (36) and single-season receiving touchdowns (18)…second in school history in receiving yards (3,013)…finished both sophomore and junior seasons with 922 yards and nine touchdowns receiving.

Nick Romano
RB | 5-11 | 201
Meridian, Idaho | Rocky Mountain HS
Idaho 5A Player of the Year…rated a two-star prospect by 247 Sports…rushed for 2,211 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior…state's leading rusher at all classifications…led Rocky Mountain to 12-0 season and state title…ran for 309 yards and two touchdowns in state championship game…averaged 9.1 yards per carry as a senior and did not commit a fumble…first-team All-SIC running back as a junior…all-conference baseball player…helped Rocky Mountain to 2017 state title on the diamond…carries 4.0 grade-point average…intends to major in business.

Siliveinusi "Vei" Tomasi
DL | 6-1 | 310
Oakland, Calif. | Laney College
Helped Laney claim the 2018 California Community College Athletic Association championship…team finished the season 11-2…recorded 22 tackles from his interior line position, including one sack and 3.5 TFLs…four-year starter at Fremont High…four-time all-city selection…competed for USA Rugby U20, as well as various junior national teams…will enroll at Idaho in the spring.