College football: Vandals sign 19 on first day of early signing period

From news services and local reports 

Announcing a signing class in the middle of a playoff run is apparently the new normal in college football.  

With Idaho preparing for its FCS playoff second-round game against Lehigh on Saturday at the Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Vandals football coach Jason Eck on Wednesday announced a recruiting class of 19 high school players on the first day of the early signing period. 

Seven of the signees are from Idaho – defensive lineman Shepard Fish (6-4, 240) from Capital High in Boise; defensive lineman Mason Krahn (6-2, 220) from Skyview High in Nampa; defensive lineman Nate Williams (6-4, 245) from Eagle High; linebacker Jack Giannini (6-0, 205) from Eagle; wide receiver Sawyer Hewett ((6-0, 170) from Kendrick High; defensive lineman Caden Siegner (6-2, 225) from Owyhee; and defensive lineman Austin Flaherty (6-3, 240) from Borah of Boise. 

Williams had 11 sacks for Eagle, which beat Coeur d’Alene in the semifinals to advance to the state 6A title game. He plans to go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before joining the Vandal program in 2027. 

Krahn was a first-team all-Idaho linebacker and tight end as a junior. 

The quarterback in the class is Toa Faavae (6-1, 200) from De La Salle High in Concord, Calif.  

Faavae led De La Salle to three straight state championships. He ran for 42 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards in three seasons. 

Two of Faavae’s cousins played at Idaho, including Faavae Faavae (2022). 

Defensive lineman Harrison Deshazer (6-5, 230) is from Washougal (Wash.) High, where he was a teammate of current Idaho freshman quarterback Holden Bea.  

Wide receiver Zhaiel Smith (6-0, 190) from Tualatin (Ore.) High was a four-year starter who caught 25 touchdown passes. 

All told, the Vandals signed one quarterback, two wide receivers, three offensive linemen, eight defensive linemen, three linebackers and two defensive backs.

Complete list of signees: govandals.com

Washington State: Head coach Jake Dickert announced a signing class of 23 high school players, nine of which plan to enroll at WSU in January and participate in spring practice. 

Among the nine are quarterback Steele Pizzella (5-11, 180) from Notre Dame High in Simi Valley, Calif. Pizzella passed for 2,610 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior, and also rushed for 1,040 yards and eight TDs.  

“We love dual-threat quarterbacks, and I think that will be our target as we continue to go through these recruiting classes,” Dickert said. “I think John (Mateer) has shown that to the highest fashion this year.” 

Jamar Searcy (5-8, 170), a running back from Pittsburg High in Oakland, Calif., has rushed for more than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns the past two seasons. His team is currently in the state playoffs. 

“We saw Jamar in the spring, at a workout, and were the first ones to offer him,” Dickert said. “This was a heckuva (recruiting) battle, hanging onto him the whole way.” 

Edge rusher Luke Webb (6-2, 235) played his first three seasons at JSerra High in Huntington Beach, Calif. This year, he’s a senior at Camas (Wash.) High, which played at Coeur d’Alene earlier this season, and is playing in the Washington state 4A championship game this Saturday. 

“One of the things that stands out is a 204-80 record combined this year in high school ... these guys are winners,” Dickert said. “Twenty-one of these guys are in the playoffs, 15 are team captains ... I like winners.” 

Dickert signed six defensive backs. 

“Defensive backs are a must; in today’s college football landscape, you have to be able to run and cover with speed,” Dickert said.  

Complete list of signees: wsucougars.com 

Eastern Washington: Coach Aaron Best announced a signing class of 22 on the first day. 

The quarterback in the class is Anthony Quinones (6-0, 205), who passed for 1,114 yards and eight touchdowns in his career at Liberty High in Murrieta, Calif. 

The lone Idaho recruit is Gauge Larsen (6-3, 230), a defensive end from state 6A champion Rigby. 

Complete list of signees: goeags.com