Idaho in recent years has seen the most NFL success it ever has in terms of quantity of players in the league. Six former Idaho players spent at least part of last season on active NFL rosters, tied with Eastern Washington for the most from the Big Sky.
This offseason seems to indicate that the trend of former Vandals making the transition to the NFL would continue. Defensive lineman Noah Elliss and linebacker Tre Walker received invites to the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, and Elliss received an invite to the 2022 NFL Combine – the fourth Vandal to do so since linebacker David Vobora in 2008, quarterback Nate Enderle in 2011, and Bobby Cowan in 2013.
This potential of more Vandals entering the NFL this season continued on March 28 with the U of I’s pro day.
The pro day had nine players in total. Defensive backs Jalen Hoover and Tyrese Dedmon, linebacker Christian Blackburn, defensive linemen Kayode Rufai, Jonah Kim and Charles Akanno, punter Caleb Lightbourn, Walker and Elliss. Elliss did not participate in workouts or drills due to a hamstring injury.
The pro day had scouts from more than half of NFL teams and a CFL team in attendance. Scouts from the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts, Buffalo Bills, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and the CFL’s B.C. Lions were all in attendance.
The former Vandals made the most of this opportunity – arguably none more than former Idaho defensive back Tyrese Dedmon. Dedmon recorded some of the more impressive numbers of the day, including a 39-inch vertical and a 10-ft-10 broad jump. The vertical would’ve been good for the third-most at the NFL combine amongst defensive backs.
Defensive lineman Rufai and Kim also showed out with impressive showings of strength. Rufai had 29 reps on the 225-lb bench press, and Kim had 23 on the bench. Akanno had 12 and almost certainly would’ve had more, but the bar hit the bar rack on his 13th rep and halted his set. Rufai’s set would’ve been tied for first amongst defensive lineman who participated at the NFL Combine this year.
Walker put on a solid performance as well, recording a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, 9-ft-6 broad jump, and 29.5-inch vertical.
With the recent NFL success of FCS products such as Eastern Washington University wide receiver Cooper Kupp, North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz and South Dakota State tight end Dallas Goedert – more NFL teams are seriously considering FCS schools and programs as potential scouting sites for new talent and prospects.
Given the offseason recognition that Elliss and Walker have already received, as well as the strong times put on by several other pro day recipients, there’s a possibility that there are multiple rookies on 2022 training camp rosters that come from the University of Idaho.
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected]
NOTE: This story has been updated with a correction that Nate Enderle and Bobby Cowan also participated at the NFL Combinie.
Jenkin
Bobby Cowan went to combine, so did Nate Enderle