Second-year Idaho football coach Paul Petrino on Wednesday announced the signing of 17 players - including nine junior college transfers - to national letters of intent.

That, in addition to the signing of eight JC players earlier this winter.

That adds up to 17 JC transfers on this fall's Vandal roster - a trend he thought was necessary in the present, but something he doesn't want to have to continue in the future.

"We needed guys that could come in and play right away," Petrino said. "And two, there were not very many kids left in the sophomore class."

Petrino said "some guys left" the team over the Christmas break. A glance at the Vandal roster shows just 10 remaining players who were sophomores on last year's 1-11 squad.

"In the future we'll probably never have that many (JC) guys sign," he said.

Idaho's best get might have come hours after Petrino's news conference announcing his signees. Alphonso Hampton, a 6-foot-5, 346-pound defensive tackle, didn't play football until he enrolled at Southwestern College in 2012 - five years after he graduated from Morse High in San Diego. He was rated the 10th best junior college recruit by ESPN. His letter of intent came in a couple hours later.

One of Petrino's eight signees from high school, quarterback Gunnar Amos of Coeur d'Alene High, plans to grayshirt this fall, and enroll at Idaho in January 2015.

Petrino said Joshua McCain, whom he recruited as a quarterback out of junior college last year, has been moved to receiver. "He'll still have a package (at quarterback)," Petrino said.

At quarterback, that leaves Chad Chalich, who as a redshirt freshman last fall started seven games; Matt Linehan, who redshirted as a freshman last fall; and Jake Luton, who played at Marysville-Pilchuck High in Marysville, Wash., last fall.

"He's got a live, live arm," Petrino said of the 6-6, 219-pound Luton. "He can throw every throw you want to make."

Of Amos, Petrino said, "he's an outstanding athlete; a winner; a very good get for us. He's a competitor; a winner. I can't say how glad we are to get him."

Petrino said the Vandals accomplished two of their recruiting goals - to get bigger and faster.

Petrino looked to beef up the defensive line with end Kaylyn Ayers and two December JC signees - tackle Glen Antoine and lineman Max Martial.

With Ron Perry, a juco signee on Wednesday, joining December juco signees Daniel Peterson and Irving Steele, "I felt we had to increase our team speed," Petrino said. "They can all run."

Of juco safety Chris Edwards, Petrino said, "Every job I've had, I would have recruited that kid. If he walked through that door, you'd think he's a linebacker. He'll show up with an attitude."

High school recruit Aaron Duckworth was regarded as the top running back in northern Florida, Petrino said. He'll join JC back Elijhaa Penny, more of a power runner.

Petrino signed four wide receivers, including David Ungerer, a slot receiver who played last year with Petrino's son, Mason, at Pullman High. Michael Garner, another high school recruit, adds speed. Petrino said they called Jermaine Johnson, a 6-4 juco receiver, "Big Play." Kenny Torrence, a 5-9 juco receiver, adds quickness, Petrino said.

Among the offensive line recruits is freshman Jordan Rose from Freeman High in Rockford, Wash., just south of Spokane. One of the last signees on Wednesday was Kaden Elliss, who was a quarterback at Judge Memorial High in Salt Lake City. He was recruited to Idaho as an athlete.