Players To Watch
Irving Steele, LB, Jr.
The junior college transfer has added speed and physicality to an already deep Idaho group of linebackers. Steele has played both the inside and outside linebacker positions during the spring, competing for the starting job of senior Juan Martinez. Steele has led the linebackers in tackles in each of the three scrimmages in the spring.
“I think I’m a sideline to sideline linebacker, I really just like to tackle,” Steele said. “I’ve been tackling all my life since I was 7 years old, I just like to get to the ball and make the play, I just like to tackle.”
Including junior Broc Westlake, the Vandals are five-deep at linebacker with players with starting or extended experience in defensive coordinator Ronnie Lee’s system. It’s possible that Idaho will run a rotation at the position in the fall.
Josh McCain, WR, Sr.
The quarterback turned wide receiver looks like a natural at the position, despite having never played it. McCain has been a quarterback since high school, only recently making the change to wide receiver over the winter when he realized his chances weren’t good at getting playing time at quarterback this season.
“I went to (Idaho coach Paul Petrino), I knew I wanted to get on the field, didn’t want to sit on the bench. I wanted to have my talents out there to help the team out. I knew if I’m on the field I can help the team out, it’s all a team aspect, that’s all it is,” McCain said.
McCain made an impression early in the spring and backed it up with his performances in the spring. In three scrimmages he’s racked up 387 yards on 19 catches. At the rate he’s going he’ll be one of the top three receivers on Idaho’s wide receiver depth chart, along with sophomore Deon Watson and senior Dezmon Epps.
Steven Matlock, OG, So.
The sophomore guard from Capital High School in Boise has not only added himself into the mix of the 10-player deep competition on the offensive line, he’s made himself a player to beat. Matlock started late in the 2013 season as a true freshman on the right side of the offensive line at the ‘strong guard’ position. In the spring he’s inserted himself as a favorite for the ‘quick guard’ position. Petrino said Matlock is one of three offensive lineman who has stood out during the spring.
“We want to get as much film of all of them at different spots because it’s really going to come down to the five best and there’s a couple of them that can play both guard and tackle so we need to get them on film to look,” Petrino said. “He’s probably solidified that position. I’d say (Mike) Marboe at center, Matlock at our quick guard, probably but I don’t know if anyone has a spot for sure. But if anyone has kind of stepped up, those three have.”
Matlock would be the youngest player on the offensive line, having not redshirted. The third player Petrino referred to is Mason Woods, the redshirt sophomore who’s stood out at strong tackle.