CALDWELL, Idaho – The biggest question mark for The College of Idaho football team heading into the 2021 spring season is at the quarterback position and who will be the heir apparent to Darius-James Peterson.
Peterson became the first signal-caller since Boyd Crawford in the 1950s to lead the Yotes to three-straight winning seasons, rewriting nearly all single-season and career records. As a senior, he led C of I to 11 wins and their first league title in 65 years, earning Frontier Conference Player of the Year and NAIA All-America honors.
The 4-year starter holds the C of I single-season records for rushing yards (1,011) and rushing touchdowns (17) by a quarterback, along with passing yards (2,423) and passing touchdowns (21), while holding career records for rushing yards (3,413), rushing touchdowns (46), pass attempts (863), pass completions (481), passing yards (6,906), passing touchdowns (49) and total offense (10,319).
However, the dynamic playmaker has moved on to the Canadian Football League.
The battle at the quarterback position was front and center during fall practices, with three players rising to the top.
Nathaniel Holcomb returns for his fourth year in the program and has experience – passing for 421 yards and three touchdowns as Peterson's back-up in 2018 – including a 272-yard performance in a start against Montana Tech. In high school, Holcomb passed for 3,649 yards and 42 touchdowns as a senior.
His younger brother,
Jacob Holcomb, is squarely in the mix. As a true freshman, the younger Holcomb saw action in three games and attempted a pass in the playoff win over Ottawa. He was named the 2018 Washington Gatorade Player of the Year, passing for 3,148 yards and 45 yards, while rushing for 765 more.
Redshirt freshman
Ryan Hibbs missed all of last season due to injury, but had a banner senior season in high school, earning All-Southern Idaho Conference honors at Capital High, completing 69-percent of his passes for 2,288 yards and 21 touchdowns.
"
Ryan Hibbs,
Jacob Holcomb and Nate Holcomb all had an outstanding fall and are competing for the starting spot," said offensive coordinator
Brian Taylor. "Hibbs and
Jacob Holcomb have made big strides in understanding the offense after their freshman seasons. Nate Holcomb has worked hard to improve his mechanics and as the veteran in the quarterback room, has done a good job of being vocal on the field."
Redshirt freshman
Michael Stuck returns after leading the scout team offense during the 2019 season, while true freshmen
Jacob Nelson of Ramona High in California,
Aeneas Stailey of Boise High and
Cooper Bailey from Sipsey Valley High in Alabama each add depth to the position.
The Coyotes will return to the practice field at the end of the month, prepping for their season opener, set for Feb. 27 at home vs. Montana State-Northern.
