It’s been a slow start on the 2015 recruiting trail for Idaho coach Paul Petrino. The only football commitment prior to December was cornerback Rayshun Jones from Jacksonville, Florida. Unfortunately, Jones decommited from Idaho.
December started on a high note for the Vandals as they picked up commitments from a pair of offensive lineman. Jordan Barge, a two-star (rated by 24/7 Sports) tackle from Los Angeles Valley College tweeted his commitment Monday, and according to 24/7 Sports, one-star tackle Devin Wiltz of Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts committed to Idaho, as well.
Orginally from Loganville, Georgia, Barge played defensive tackle in high school. He attended Los Angeles Pierce College for two years, before enrolling at Los Angeles Valley College this fall. The 6-foot-4, 330-pound tackle drew heavy interest from Sun Belt schools Louisiana-Lafayette and Georgia State, Temple and UAB — but UAB shut down it’s football program on Tuesday. He is scheduled to officially visit Moscow on Dec. 5.
Wiltz was offered by Idaho Nov. 30, and committed to the Vandals the next day. Wiltz’s size makes him a very intriguing player to watch on the offensive line in the future, as he stands at 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds. Idaho is his only offer at this time.
Both players will be important for the Vandals, as the offensive line had trouble protecting the quarterback this past season. Idaho’s quarterbacks were sacked a total of 40 times in 2014, which was the second-highest total in the Sun Belt behind Louisiana-Monroe, and tied for the ninth-highest total in the country with Florida International.
Both Barge and Wiltz come to Idaho with JUCO experience, and should help solidify the Vandals offensive line in the future. Barge has the possibility of even playing on the defensive line too.
Barge highlights:
Wiltz highlights: