CALDWELL, Idaho – A new season brings new opportunity for College of Idaho football, and the Yotes enter 2025 with a chip on their shoulder after being picked third in the Frontier Conference West Division preseason coaches poll. Despite key losses, the Yotes bring back veteran leadership, explosive athletes, and a proven ability to rise in big moments.
Key Returners
Leading the charge is quarterback Caden Young, who took over in the final week of 2024 and delivered by rushing for two touchdowns and guiding the Yotes to a dramatic comeback win on Senior Night over Southern Oregon. Young finished the season with 12 rushing scores in 10 games as a backup and now steps into the QB1 role with confidence.
Junior wideout Travis Marieiro is another offensive cornerstone, returning after a breakout year that saw him rack up 493 receiving yards, including a career-best 144-yard performance at Montana Western.
On defense, redshirt senior Matt Iwamizu and junior Tucker French form a disruptive edge duo. Iwamizu recorded 19 solo tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks, while French added two sacks and two TFLs in his sophomore campaign.
Key Departures
Replacing the production and leadership of Andy Peters will be no small task. The program's all-time passing leader leaves behind a legacy of record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments.
At receiver, the Yotes bid farewell to Brock Richardson, who finished fourth in career receiving yards (1,728) and third in receptions (108), averaging a staggering 18.3 yards per catch last season.
Defensively, Willie Nelson (200 career tackles) and Kobe Roberts (11 career sacks, 18.5 TFLs) leave major holes in the front seven that will require new leadership to emerge.
Key Additions
Several key transfers could make an immediate impact. Graduate wide receiver Naythan Mulugeta (UVA-Wise) brings size and speed to the offense, while graduate defensive back Arnez Madison (Southern Utah) adds experience and toughness to the secondary.
Returning to Caldwell is quarterback Chase Vehmeyer, who spent last season at Santa Rosa JC where he averaged 200 passing yards per game and threw 17 touchdowns in 9 games. He provides valuable competition and depth under center.
Freshman Enzi Myricks, a product of Bishop Kelly High School in Boise, is a promising addition to the defensive backfield.
Preseason Poll and Outlook
The Yotes were tabbed third in the West Division, just behind Montana Western (35 points) and Southern Oregon (30). College of Idaho collected 26 points, with Carroll College (23) close behind in a competitive division.
This year, the Frontier Conference expands to 14 teams and splits into East and West divisions, with each division winner earning an automatic berth to the NAIA Football Championship Series. Cross-division games are set for Sept. 20 and 27, followed by six weeks of division-only matchups to determine postseason qualifiers.
The Bottom Line
With unfinished business from 2024 and a battle-tested group of returners, the Yotes are more than just a third-place prediction. If Caden Young continues his late-season magic and the defense finds its next leaders, College of Idaho will be right in the thick of the Frontier race and poised to write the next chapter of Yote football history.
