Northwest Notes: July 30, 2025

Idaho’s Azzopardi listed on 

Shrine Bowl watchlist

MOSCOW — 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.

 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, Texas, on Jan. 27, 2006.

Idaho begins fall practice today.

Idaho kicks off its season on August 30 against Washington State. 

BSU Virgin-Morgan named to 

Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist

BOISE — Boise State edge Jayden Virgin-Morgan was named to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced. The award is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. Virgin-Morgan is one of three Mountain West student-athletes on the 60-player list, joined by Jordan Pollard (San Jose State) and Trey White (San Diego State).

Virgin-Morgan led the Broncos with 10.0 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2024, earning All-MW First Team honors. Boise State tallied a nation-high 55 sacks and averaged 7.9 TFLs per game, third-most in the country. The San Diego native totaled 40 tackles while adding a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

The redshirt junior is a Preseason All-MW selection and was tabbed Preseason All-America Fourth Team by Athlon Sports. He was also included on the Shrine Bowl 1000 and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists. This is the fourth-straight season Boise State has been represented on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. JL Skinner was selected in 2022, followed by DJ Schramm (2023) and Ahmed Hassanein (2024).

Boise State place eight on 

Shrine Bowl watchlist

BOISE — Eight Boise State football players were selected to the 2025 Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist, the East-West Shrine Bowl announced. Ty Benefield, Kage Casey, Jeremiah Earby, Matt Lauter, Maddux Madsen, A’Marion McCoy, Marco Notarainni and Jayden Virgin-Morgan represent the Broncos on this year’s list.

Benefield enters his junior season with 128 career tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He has three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. In 2024, he was a Cornish Trophy Finalist and earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention. He is a 2025 Preseason All-MW selection.

Casey is a redshirt junior who was tabbed All-America Second Team by The Athletic and Walter Camp in 2024. He led MW tackles and ranked third in the nation with a 99.3 Pro Football Focus pass blocking efficiency. Athlon Sports, Phil Steele and Walter Camp named him a Preseason All-American.

Earby started all 14 games in his first season at Boise State, totaling 34 tackles and seven pass breakups. He also notched an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery while limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 49.2 completion percentage when targeting him. The senior was selected Preseason All-MW by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.