Idaho coaches excited about team's depth as preseason practices roll on

Idaho football coaches are expressing excitement about the team's depth as preseason practices continue. On Wednesday, the Vandals engaged in a dress rehearsal inside the Kibbie Dome, focusing on red zone work from the 10-yard line to conserve players' energy for live drills. The Moscow Mountain practice field was barely visible due to wildfire smoke and potentially harvest dust.

Despite the hot indoor conditions, players pushed through and performed well. Vandals head coach Thomas Ford Jr. stated that the depth picture is becoming clearer and that the depth itself is encouraging. Offensive line coach Loren Endsley echoed Ford's sentiments, particularly regarding the offensive line's depth, which he considers the best he has seen in two years.

Endsley is strategizing to rotate players to maintain cohesion while keeping everyone fresh. Senior center Layton Vining, one of his smartest players, is being groomed for a potential coaching career. Bogan's impressive performance, including catching back-to-back touchdowns, earned him the daily practice award. Ford, who recruited Bogan in 2022, highlighted his resilience and dedication.

Quarterback Joshua Wood, along with other defenders, also had notable moments, such as intercepting a pass. The offense generally performed well in the pass skeleton and 11-on-11 red zone drills. Offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker expects a high touchdown rate moving forward, avoiding field goals. As the preseason progresses, the interplay between the new offensive and defensive coordinators is proving beneficial for the team's strategic development.