THE FRONT ROW with MARK NELKE: Former Lewiston star Hepburn becoming quite the hit with Vandals

Cruz Hepburn likes to hit. 

Since the 2022 Lewiston High grad has entered college, Hepburn went from hitting opposing football players to hitting baseballs, and now back to hitting opposing players on the football field. 

“I actually signed to play football at Idaho out of high school,” Hepburn said last month, at the Big Sky Football Kickoff media day in Airway Heights. 

When he changed his mind and decided to pursue baseball, since he had signed with an NCAA school, he couldn’t immediately transfer to another one for for baseball or football. 

“At the last minute I decided I wanted to play baseball, and I had good relationship with the coaches at LC State (in Lewiston; one of the top NAIA baseball schools), and they gave me the opportunity to come down there, and stay home and play baseball.” 

AS A freshman at LC State, Hepburn appeared in 19 games, starting six at shortstop, totaling eight hits in 26 at-bats (.308). 

But ... 

“I had a great time there, and met a lot of great people, and grateful for my time there, but I was still going to the Vandal football games at the Kibbie Dome while I was playing baseball, and it looked like they were having a blast,” Hepburn recalled. “And I was like, ‘I’ve got to give this (football) another shot.’” 

And now, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound is one of the key members of the Vandals defense at linebacker. 

He saw some action at ‘backer as a redshirt sophomore in 2024. 

Last year, Hepburn had 77 tackles (third on the team), six for loss, including one sack. He also had a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

"There’s a sense of ease, a sense of calm when he’s in the game,” first-year Idaho defensive coordinator Lee Stalker said of Hepburn.  

HEPBURN WAS recruited to Idaho by the previous Vandal coaching staff, when Jason Eck was head coach. 

Current Idaho head coach Thomas Ford Jr. was on that staff before leaving for Oregon State in 2024. 

When Eck left after the ‘24 season, and Ford came back to Moscow as head coach, Hepburn said it was an easy decision to stay at Idaho. 

“I love the staff that we have now; very thankful that I made that decision to stay at Idaho,” Hepburn said. “It’s an honor to wear ‘Vandals’ across my chest. There’s a lot of pride that comes with playing for this program, being local.” 

Hepburn is also looking forward to helping the Vandals bounce back from last year’s 4-8 season. 

“What’s really important is, we’ve got a lot of guys that are really hungry and driven, and ready to compete,” Hepburn said. “It is kinda cool seeing another team from the Big Sky (Montana State) win a national championship, and ... yeah, it does show people around the conference that it’s possible with some hard work and motivation.” 

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 208-664-8176, Ext. 1205, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @CdAPressSports.