VandalVenue.com Recruiting Update

TheInsiders.com is reporting that Idaho received verbal commitments tonight from a pair of senior's from southern Idaho's Timberline High School. Teammates Devon Sturdivant (2nd Team All-State RB rated the #69 prospect in the Northwest) and Taylor Rust (1st Team All-Conference defensive end) are among the first to join new head football coach Nick Holt's first recruiting class.

Devon Sturdivant and teammate Taylor Rust took a recruiting trip to Moscow just 2 short days ago, and tonight TheInsiders is reporting that both have given verbal commitments to Idaho.

From an article reported yesterday by Chris Fetters of TheInsiders:

Devon said that he was very impressed with the plans Idaho is making for their facilities upgrade, as well as the new coaching staff. "You can tell that they are winners and that they were really good players when they were in college," he said. "You could see it in their intensity level.

"I could see myself telling them right then and there that I wanted to be a part of their program, but I'm going to wait a little bit. But I am going to decide soon."

And new head coach Nick Holt? "You can tell he knows how to win and that he's going to go after it," Devon said. "He's recruiting me as a running back. They said they saw my film, liked what they saw and knew they had to get me out here."

Idaho's priority this recruiting season is reportedly to replenish the defensive and offensive lines, and add speed to the skill positions. The commitments by BOTH Devon and Taylor are an excellent start.

Taking a closer look at both player's accomplishments, below are some of the high-points of a solid highschool career for Devon:

- 2nd Team All-Idaho (2003)
- 1st Team All Conference (2003)
- Rushed for 1,228 yards, 14 TDs on 172 carries (2003)
- Invited to Dist III East-West Shrine Game (scored TD)
- Rushed for 906 in 2002 as a junior
- Rated the #69 Northwest prospect by TheInsiders

In addition, below are links to a couple stories that appeared in The Idaho Statesman earlier this year highlighting Devon's performance:

LINK: Timberline scores three late TDs to snap tie with Tigers (by John Gardner)

LINK: Wolves’ tailback chewing through opposing defenses (by John Gardner)


For Taylor Rust (6-3, 220, DE), he didn't play a position that garners a tremendous amount of attention in the press (defensive and offensive line), but some of his high-points include the following:

- 1st Team All Conference Defensive End (2003)
- 14 tackles for loss, 7 sacks (2003)
- Invited to Dist III East-West Shrine Game (4 sacks)
- Starter on both offensive and defensive line
- In addition to FB, plays forward on Timberline basketball team and starter on baseball team


From all of us at VandalVenue.com, a hearty welcome to both Taylor Rust and Devon Sturdivant!