MOSCOW, Idaho – Vandal Football is just over two-thirds the way through the spring football season with nine of thirteen practices completed. Idaho holds practice Thursday, Saturday and next Tuesday before closing spring ball with the annual spring game at 7 p.m. Friday, April 28.
 
There is a clear difference between 2022 spring and 2023. The team has settled into offensive and defensive schemes under head coach Jason Eck's staff. The staff knows the individual players much better, allowing them to put them into position to be successful both as individuals and as a team.
 
"I think everyone knows what they're doing, so guys are just playing faster," Eck said. "There are more known quantities for the coaching staff, too. We know more about what guys' strengths and weaknesses are and what they need to do to get better. There is still a little bit of evaluating the new guys but we're certainly practicing at a higher and faster level than we were last spring."
 
With over three weeks of practice behind them, Eck is pleased overall with the progress the Vandals have made. The biggest gains may have been in the trenches where returners have improved, and newcomers are bringing a new element on both sides of the ball.
 
"We're on track to where we need to be," Eck Said. "We've had some guys who stepped up and are playing at a higher level. I think Malakai Williams is having a great spring at defensive end. Jahkari Larmond and Zach Krotzer are doing a really good job at D-tackle.  On the offensive line, Nate Azzopardi has had really had a good spring and kind of emerged as a guy who can count on the offensive line. Elijah Sanchez made a big jump and probably had the best spring of any offensive linemen. Ayden Knapik and Tigana Cisse also took a big step from their freshmen seasons. It's been good seeing some big guys step up, which is an important area of emphasis for us."
 
Spring newcomer Terrian Rainey is contributing on the offensive line and looks to be a guy that will be in the rotation this fall, despite stepping into the offense just a few months ago.
 
"Biggs (Rainey) has taken a lot of snaps with the ones at left tackle," Eck said. "We'll see what happens as we get guys like Jason Hahlbeck back from injury, but he is definitely going to contribute there."
 
Another area where the Vandals hope to be better this year is at the tight end position. Veteran tight end Connor Whitney graduated and 2022 expected starter Alex Moore is still recovering from an injury that he received during the first half of the Washington State game last season, but young players have stepped up in spring ball, including redshirt freshman Chance Bogan and sophomore Jake Cox.
 
"Chance had a nice catch in the scrimmage and has shown a lot of skill this spring," Eck said. "Jake Cox has had a nice spring, he caught an impressive touchdown last week, so I think we are getting better tight end."
 
Eck and the staff have been cautious with known quantities so far this spring. Several players on the offense and defense have had limited reps and the first teams only tackled for one series in Saturday's scrimmage. With limited roster numbers, it means a lot of younger players are getting more reps, but the staff feels like it puts Idaho in the best position to enter the fall with the best players on the field.
 
"We have been light with proven players; Gevani (McCoy), Hayden (Hatten), JJ (Jermaine Jackson) and Anthony Woods, so we have kept those guys healthy for the most part, which is good," Eck said.
 
The offense has still been impressive with Terez Traynor and Jordan Dwyer playing well at receiver and Nick Romano looking closer to the player he was in 2019 when he rushed for nearly 500 yards and scored four touchdowns. All three players struggled with injuries in 2022.
 
"We've been able to get Terez back and he has had a few nice catches in the scrimmage Saturday, so it has been good to get him involved with the offense," Eck said. "Jordan Dwyer has played at a high level and made some impressive plays down field. Nick Romano is playing like a guy that is going to be a big piece for us in the fall."
 
On the defense, the front seven is playing well. Paul Moala has switched to the mike linebacker position and transfer Tre Thomas has stepped into the starting role on the other inside linebacker. On the interior, Jahkari Larmond has stamped his name on the d-line spot. Transfer Tylen Coleman has shown value at the defensive end spot.
 
"Paul Moala is playing at a really high level at linebacker, settling into his mike spot and Tre is taking most of the reps with the ones at will Linebacker," Eck said. "Jahkari has been our best interior defensive tackle all spring. Tylen is going to have a big role at D-End, I wouldn't say he say he's necessarily earned a starting spot but is certainly going to be in the rotation."
 
Maybe the player that has made the biggest improvement year-to-year is defensive end Malakai Williams. He has made life hard for the offensive tackles all spring and harassed the quarterbacks.
 
"I thought he underachieved a little bit last year and I told him that I wanted to see him improve and take the next step and he really has," Eck said. "He has done it in the classroom and on the field. He is taking care of his body better keeping and keeping his weight up and it is carrying over. He is playing well."
 
On the back end of the defense, Marcus Harris will again anchor the secondary with Tommy McCormick and Murvin Kenion III playing well at safety this spring, but redshirt freshman Ormanie Arnold and transfers Dwayne McDougle and Cam Stephens have added confidence and depth in the secondary with their solid play.
 
"With Ormanie Arnold and Marcus Harris we have excellent corners and I like where we are at," Eck said. "Dwayne McDougle has had a very good spring and he is getting a lot of playing time at corner and safety. He has really impressed us, so I think he is going to have a large role this season. Cam Stephens is also improving throughout the spring and will help us."
 
On special teams, the staff hopes to take work off Ricardo Chavez's plate with the addition of transfer punter LJ Harm. Chavez did all place-kicking and punting in 2022 and Harm's addition will hopefully allow Chavez to focus on kicking duties.
 
"LJ Harm is going to be in the mix for our punting job," Eck said. "We want to put Ricardo in the best position possible to help us win games and I hope LJ can take some of the load for him to keep him fresh."
 
With four practices remaining on the schedule for spring, the Vandals hope to continue to tighten up the details to be ready for the spring game next Friday night in the Kibbie Dome.
 
The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. There will be no charge for attendance, and it will be broadcast on ESPN+ and an audio broadcast will be available on Govandals.com and on the GameDay App.
 
A tailgate will take place on the West end of the Kibbie Dome beginning at 5 p.m. There will be food vendors and other great Vandal opportunities.