MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho Vandals offensive lineman, Nate Azzopardi, was named to the Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist, the East-West Shrine Bowl announced on Monday. 

The watchlist recognizes the top 1,000 players who are eligible for an all-star game in college football. Azzopardi is one of eight players from the Big Sky Conference, and one of 50 players from an FCS school to appear on the list. 

Azzopardi has appeared in 26 games for the Vandals over the past two seasons and was named a team captain prior to the 2023 season. Having played his entire career with the Vandals, the Pacifica, Calif. native has seen action in more than 2,000 snaps and, over the course of his career, has developed into one of the best offensive linemen in FCS, earning an elite 87.7 pass-block grade from Pro Football Focus last season. He also represented the Idaho Football team along with Head Coach Thomas Ford and defensive lineman Sam Brown last week at Big Sky Kickoff in Airway Heights, Wash.

The East-West Shrine Bowl provides many of the top NFL prospects the chance to showcase their talents and abilities on a big stage, all while supporting the mission of Shriners Children's. This year, the East-West Shrine Bowl will take place at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Teas, on Jan. 27, 2006. 

The Idaho Vandals report for fall camp tomorrow, July 29, and have their first fall practice on July 30. Idaho kicks off its season on August 30 against Washington State. That game can be seen on The CW. 

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TICKETS: Season tickets, mini plans, and single-game tickets can be purchased here or by calling the Idaho ticket office at (208)885-6466.