Kris Cinkovich was the assistant coach officially in charge of recruiting Nate DeGraw to Idaho.

But head coach Paul Petrino said he has had his eye on the Post Falls High standout for a couple of years.

One Sunday afternoon a couple of years ago, Mike DeGraw brought his kids to Moscow to check out the University of Idaho campus.

Paul Petrino remembered Mike from when Petrino was an assistant in Moscow in the early 1990s, and Mike was a defensive lineman for the Vandals.

“I started telling coach Cink, ‘make sure we keep an eye on Nate,’” Petrino said.

The younger DeGraw, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound defensive end, committed to Idaho last fall, and on Wednesday was one of 16 players to sign with the Vandals on National Signing Day.

“We’ve been pretty lucky with those guys, whose dads were former Vandals,” Petrino said. Nate “looks like he probably shaves once a month. He’ll probably start out at end, but probably eventually grow into a 3-technique (defensive tackle). I think the sky’s the limit for him.

“I just think it’s his ability to move. It was good to see both — the toughness that he has as a wrestler (he’s wrestling at 220 for Post Falls) and how he played on the field. I thought he made great improvement from his junior year to senior year.”

Mike DeGraw, also a defensive lineman, was in the same recruiting class as former Vandal great (and current Vandal radio analyst) Ryan Phillips.

“He was just very active, and very physical; a tough football player,” Petrino recalled of the elder DeGraw.

Petrino, in his fifth recruiting class at Idaho -- and final one at the Football Bowl Subdivision level, signed 14 high school players and two junior college players. They will join four junior college players who signed in December and are already on campus.

Heading the list of Wednesday’s signees is Christian Elliss, a linebacker from Highlands Park, Colo., whose dad, Luther, played in the NFL and whose older brother, Kaden, will be a junior at Idaho this year.

“Probably as talented a guy as I’ve signed since I got here,” Petrino said. “He’s a little bigger, a little faster than his brother was at his age -- I always give his brother a hard time about that. I told him, ‘we’re recruiting you not because of your brother, we’re recruiting you because you’re probably the best player in this class.’”

Petrino said the biggest recruiting needs in this class were offensive linemen, defensive backs and tight ends.

Offensive linemen who signed were Seth Carnahan (6-7, 255) from Sumner (Wash.) High, Dylan Korte (6-8, 305) and Maxim Moore (6-3, 285) from Eagle High.

Petrino said Carnahan “could end up being a big, big-time talent.”

Of Korte, who plays goalie on his lacrosse team, “he’s 305 pounds and he looks skinny.”

Moore is “probably the first guy to sign in Moscow (at the University of Idaho), that was born in Moscow, Russia,” Petrino said. “He’s big enough, physical and strong enough to have a chance to play early.”

Petrino signed cornerbacks Wyryor Noil from Madison High in Portland, and juco Tyrece Parker, as well as defensive backs Tyrese Dedmon and Jalen Hoover.

“You watch tape on him,” Petrino said of Hoover, “and he’ll just flat knock you out. He’s a hitter.”

With the loss of last year’s senior tight end duo of Trent Cowan and former Coeur d’Alene High star Deon Watson, Petrino signed Harrison Ashby from Capital High in Boise. He’s a basketball player who took up football this past year.

“Kind of built in the same mode as Deon and Trent,” Petrino said.

Petrino signed three quarterbacks -- Colton Richardson from Lewiston High, Dylan Lemle from Los Angeles and Zach Borisch from Kamiakin High in Kennewick, Wash.

There were already four QBs on the roster -- senior Matt Linehan, who will be a three-year starter; Gunner Amos and Mason Petrino, who played briefly last year as freshmen; and junior A.J. Woodin.

Petrino said Borisch will likely play on defense at Idaho, and hopefully Richardson and Lemle will be able to redshirt this fall.

Borisch, Petrino said, is world-class in judo, black belt.

“A guy you probably don’t ever want to mess with,” Petrino said.

Petrino said Amos, from Coeur d’Alene High, will also take some reps at safety, and Mason Petrino, the coach’s son, will take some reps at receiver.

Other signees announced Wednesday were wide receiver Cutrell Haywood, running back Roshaun Johnson and juco defensive lineman Ben Taliulu.

Idaho is coming off a nine-win season capped by a bowl victory.

“I think the success we had helped (in recruiting), Petrino said. “Playing in a bowl game was huge. There’s some guys we got in this class we wouldn’t have had a chance to get the last couple of years.”

Idaho is one year away from dropping from the FBS, and its 85 full scholarships, to the Football Championship Subdivision, and its 63 full rides.

“I have a plan,” Petrino said. “We’ll be right at it (63 scholarships), next year.”

VANDALS IN Cd’A: As part of Idaho’s tour of the state to promote its National Signing Day class, Petrino, along with Idaho women’s soccer coach Derek Pittman and Idaho athletic director Rob Spear will be in Coeur d’Alene today for a booster function. The event is scheduled for The Coeur d’Alene Resort in Bay 5. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the program begins at 6:15. Cost is $20 per person, which includes includes hors d’oeuvres.