After years of struggling to even have a positive record, the University of Idaho Vandals’ football team have made a complete turnaround in recent years. Under new leadership from Head Coach Jason Eck, and breakout seasons from young players, the Vandals finished the season with a playoff loss to UAlbany, a heartbreaking, yet hopeful defeat for the refreshed team. Not long after the loss, many of the Vandals’ standout players from this season entered the transfer portal or entered the 2024 NFL draft.
Gevani McCoy, who posted an impressive 2,900-yard season this year, led the Vandals to a 9-4 record (including playoffs). McCoy, who received the Jerry Rice Award after the 2022 season, passed for over 5,800 yards in his stint with the Vandals, while also posting an impressive 65% completion percentage including 43 touchdowns during his time on the team. On Dec. 11, 2023, McCoy decided to take his talents to the transfer portal, and on Dec. 23, 2023 he announced his commitment to the Oregon State Beavers. McCoy will be entering the 2024 off-season competing for the starting QB position in Corvallis after their own starting QB entered the transfer portal not long after their season ended.
Hayden Hatten, McCoy’s favorite target, posted insane numbers this year as well as accruing a second team All-American selection for the 2023 season. Hatten, a five-year veteran, led the entire Vandals receiving core with 1,226 receiving yards. Hatten, no stranger to the long ball, passed for two touchdowns on trick plays all the while hauling in nine touchdowns of his own. Hatten, on Dec. 15, 2023, decided to try and take his talents to the NFL, declaring for the 2024 NFL draft. Hatten was also selected to the Hula Bowl, which selects the 100 best seniors in all divisions of college football to compete in an all-star game in front of more than 100 scouts representing the NFL, CFL, XFL and more. Hatten hauled in two catches and a touchdown while competing against some of the best competition the NCAA has to offer.
Anthony Woods, the Vandals’ number-one choice to carry the ball, ran for an impressive 1,155 yards this season, averaging just under 100 yards a game and 5.6 yards per carry. He also punched in 16 touchdowns during just the 15th 1,000-yard season in the University’s 100-year-old history. On Dec. 11 2023 Woods announced his entrance into the transfer portal, and on Dec. 19, 2023 announced that he would be taking his skills to the University of Utah.
Ricardo Chavez earned some fame for his name this season. The Vandal kicker, who kicked field goals with his right leg and punted with his left, booted in 19 field goals and 39 extra points this year, scoring 96 points for the Vandals. As a punter, Chavez punted for almost 1,147 yards, pinning teams within their own 20-yard line nine times. Chavez boasted a season high 70-yard punt against Nevada, as well as seven more punts that traveled over 50 yards this season. On Dec. 19, 2023 Chavez revealed his plans to enter the 2024 NFL draft, looking to take his ambidextrous talents to the big leagues.
These four are not the only players who have announced their intentions to leave for other opportunities. In December of 2023, Cornerback Marcus Harris entered the transfer portal then subsequently committed to the University of California, Berkeley. WR Jermaine Jackson and tight end Teron Ivy JR both declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
You can reach Jack DeWitt at [email protected]