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When Idaho coach Robb Akey removed 17 football players from his 2007-08 team for academic and off the field problems, he knew it would mean a loss of scholarship opportunities for next season.
He doesn’t regret the decision.
“I would not have done anything different,” he said. “We have a family built now. Guys want to be around each other. That was not the case before.”
But the NCAA rule that regulates the amount of scholarships a school can give out based on academic performance and if an athlete leaves a school before graduating will affect the University of Idaho for seasons to come.
Akey said the rule is acting as an “unfair punishment” as he tries to rebuild a struggling football program.
The rule, which allows a total 85 scholarships per university for football, cut Idaho’s scholarship opportunities for next season to 76. A school is allowed 25 “initial” recruits per year. The penalty will force the Vandals down to 22.
When NCAA athletes perform poorly in school, the team’s Academic Progress Rate loses points. If the player drops out of school before graduating, the program also loses points. Once the school’s point total slips to a certain level, the school loses scholarships.
“We can’t sign a full class now, and it will prolong our (inability) to get back up to full health,” Akey said. “This will affect our depth. Kids we were going to sign will go play for someone else now.”
Akey said the rule should be looked at as a case-by-case basis. The rule is intended to keep athletes in school and keep them graduating, he said, but certain factors, such as those at UI should be taken into account.
“Right now we’re being penalized,” Akey said. “It’s not just paper. They need to find out what the temperature is like at the campus and then go make their decision.”
Athletic Director Rob Spear said the department appealed the penalty in early January. He asked for a response by Jan. 25. He said he had not yet received an official response from the NCAA.
“Right now it’s working its way through the NCAA process,” Spear said.
He said they hoped to conduct a conference call with members of the NCAA to discuss the appeal later next week.
“It is my understanding that that we won’t get the initial recruits,” he said.
But they may be able to get other scholarship opportunities back after the appeal, Spear said.
“That’s three other initial offers that we don’t have for an Idaho kid that’s on the bubble,” he said.
New Recruits
Despite the imposed penalties, Akey said he’s moving forward with recruits.
The Vandals are adding 21 new players, and all but two are straight out of high school. Akey focused on high school recruitment because he wants to concentrate on team building, he said.
“We’re building a family and unity,” Akey said. “I very much believe you can build a stronger program through recruiting high school kids.”
Akey said he also hopes to concentrate on bringing in Idaho natives to play for the Vandals next year.
“I don’t want to bring in Los Angeles. I don’t want to bring in Dallas. I want people to be experienced from here,” he said.
His first step comes with the inclusion of Brad Marboe — the first Idaho native to be recruited by Akey’s staff. Marboe, a linebacker from Idaho Falls, was a first-team 5A pick last season.
“Brad is one of the best players in the state,” he said. “He will help build that Idaho connection.”
Akey added running backs Kama Bailey from Hawaii and Troy Vital from Texas. Both rushed for over 2,000 yards last season.
The Vandals added three wide receivers — Robert Hatchett and Marsel Posey, both from California, and Las Vegas native Preston Davis.
Ron Mallory and Guy Reynolds — both from Arizona — were signed as wide receiver redshirt candidates.
Only two recruits come from a junior college — defensive tackle Oga Faumui and safety Virdell Larkins.
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