Football | 04/04/2019

MOSCOW, Idaho – Position battles abound at Idaho's spring practices, but linebacker in particular is a spot rife with competition. A number of Vandals, new and familiar alike, are looking to step into the roles vacated by three departed starters.

Sophomore Tre Walker is eyeing one of those starting spots. Walker racked up 41 tackles in 11 games as a true freshman in 2018, including two starts. He made his first career start at Eastern Washington and recorded eight tackles against the Eagles. 
 
Walker said he is coming into his first spring period fired up and ready to take on the role of starter.
 
"I'm for sure trying to step up and take that leader role on defense," Walker said. "Now is the time to go after it. Try to set the tone for the defense and get them to fly around. I felt like if I set the tone first and fast, they will match my energy and keep on going."
 
That energy was felt throughout the dome as Monday's practice came to a close. The the defense came alive behind Walker's spirited play in the middle of the box, including a number of bursts through the line of scrimmage to make a stop in the backfield.
 
"Tre Walker I would say won the day," said head coach Paul Petrino. "That's probably the guy that stuck out the most to me. He really got after it and had a good day,"

Walker is not the only linebacker getting the attention of the coaching staff and spectators early on in spring ball.
 
Idaho brought in two junior college transfers to join the linebacker room this spring. Juniors Jalan Jenkins and Robert Miller both bring tenacity, leadership and a winning pedigree along with their physical maturity. Miller is redshirted as a freshman at Memphis before spending two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College and helping the Rangers win 16 games. Jenkins comes from Butte College, where he racked up 87 tackles, three sacks and led the team toa 9-2 record in the 2018 season.

Through five spring practices, the newcomers and returners are making strides on coming together as a unit.

"We are getting really good at communication and with our bonds," Jenkins said. "We know how each other play. So that is just going to keep getting better as we keep going forward."

Vandal football is in week two of spring practices, working towards the Silver & Gold Spring Game April 19.