Football | 2/7/2024 6:00:00 PM
| First Name |
Last Name |
Pos. |
Ht. |
Wt. |
Hometown |
State |
High School |
Previous School |
| Kade |
Martin |
DB |
6-2 |
185 |
Star |
Idaho |
Owyhee HS |
|
| Ayden |
Martinez |
DB |
5'11 |
175 |
Nampa |
Idaho |
Skyview HS |
|
| Kaden |
Newman |
DB |
5-10 |
175 |
Star |
Idaho |
Owyhee HS |
|
| Dee'Shon |
Swafford |
DB |
5-9 |
180 |
San Diego |
Calif. |
Cathedral Catholic HS |
Univ. of Idaho |
| Kyle |
Wilkes |
DB |
5'-11 |
160 |
Redding |
Calif. |
Shasta HS |
|
| Lucas |
Midgett |
DE |
6-1 |
215 |
Boise |
Idaho |
Timberline HS |
|
| Makani |
Manuwai |
DL |
6-0 |
250 |
Medford |
Ore. |
South Medford HS |
|
| Easton |
St. Germain |
DL |
6-0 |
260 |
Notus |
Idaho |
Notus HS |
|
| Jaiden |
White |
DL/LS |
6' 2" |
235 |
Meridian |
Idaho |
Meridian HS |
|
| Kyler |
Williams |
DT |
6' 2" |
280 |
Pocatello |
Idaho |
Highland HS |
Boise State Univ. |
| Dominic |
Barone |
LB |
5' 11" |
210 |
Caldwell |
Idaho |
Caldwell HS |
|
| Tanner |
Forkner |
LB |
5' 9" |
200 |
Crescent City |
Calif. |
Del Norte HS |
College of the Redwoods |
| Troy |
Smith |
LB/DB |
6' 0" |
175 |
Fairfield |
Idaho |
Camas County HS |
|
CALDWELL, Idaho – College of Idaho is coming off one of the best seasons in school history as the 2023 Yotes reached the semifinals of the NAIA Football Championship Series. To build off that success, the Yotes have reloaded in its recruiting efforts on the defensive side.
College of Idaho Defensive Coordinator
Chris Jewell, who has been with the program since its return, has added even more athleticism to an already physical defense. The class includes six defensive linemen, five linebackers, and six defensive backs as all phases of the defense look to take a jump forward coming into the new season and beyond.
The defensive line features six new big men to add some much-needed depth in the trenches. The first new addition to the group is Boise State transfer Kyler Williams. Williams played his high school ball at Highland, where he earned 5A all-state honors his senior season.
Three other new Yotes join the room from the Treasure Valley - Jaiden White of Meridian, Lucas Midgett of Timberline and Easton St. Germain of Notus. White was an all SIC selection and helped lead his team to a 5A semifinal appearance his senior season; Midgett played both ways for the Wolves and was also an all SIC selection this past year; St. Germain finished his career at Notus as a four-time WIC conference champion with three-time all-conference selection.
Rounding out the defensive line is South Medford's (Ore.) Makani Manuwai and St. Vincent de Paul's (Calif.) Nour Elbelisy. Manuwai looks to make a significant impact for the Yotes early as he finished his career as an all-conference and all-state selection in Oregon; Elbelisy also will be a force to be reckoned with as he was a key factor in his team winning the California 6AA state championship.
Turning our attention to the linebackers now, five fresh players have joined the room. Tanner Forker, a transfer from The College of The Redwoods is hoping to make an impact after an impressive career at the junior college where he finished with 75 tackles in 11 games. Eli Mikita from Eagle High joins a handful of his former teammates by making the short trip down to Caldwell. Mikita earned all-SIC honors this past season while leading Eagle to a 10-1 record as a big contributor on both sides of the ball.
Caldwell's own Dominic Barone will also stay home to join the linebacker room. Barone was all over the field for the Cougars this year and will be a terrific addition for the Yotes. Logan Clark from Post Falls will be making his way down South and was a standout defensive player finishing his season with 56 tackles and was a team captain for the Trojans. Camas County High School's Troy Smith was a big-time player on both sides of the ball for the Mushers and was a 1A first team selection on both sides of the ball.
Six defensive backs join the room from all over the West Coast. Headlining the room is University of Idaho Transfer Dee'Shon Swafford. Swafford saw action for the Vandals in his career and will be ready to make a significant impact for the Yotes starting this spring. Two other standout defensive backs from California are also joining the room, Christopher High School's Amari Bluford and Shasta High's Kyle Wilkes. Bluford was named first team all-conference on both sides of the ball and wide receiver of the year; While Wilkes, who will join younger brother, Zach at College of Idaho, was an outstanding safety for Shasta and will be a contributing factor for the Yotes.
Rounding out the room is Ayden Martinez of Skyview, Cooper Anderson of Beaverhead County (Mont.) and Kaden Newman of Owyhee. Martinez finished his senior season for the Hawks as an all SIC selection to go with his 814 all-purpose yards; Anderson was all over the field for the Beavers and helped lead them to a Montana state championship and an undefeated season. Newman was a huge factor for the success with the Storm and was selected as an all SIC defensive back in his senior season.
