Vandal WR recruiting looks to go airborne

ROBB AKEY has said he wants to go up top more -- way more -- offensively. The way to do that, naturally, is to place a premium on the grabmasters and build through recruiting. Two things jump out about the '08 class prospects with silver and gold offers -- the average height is 6-foot-3, and they all excel at going up there and getting it.

Speed is an emphasis for Idaho for this class, and all three of the wideouts with known UI offers have the requisite quicks, but just as important is their ability to make the clutch grab and to come down with the not-so-perfectly thrown ball. Archie Woulard (6-3, 180, 4.5) is the latest to receive an offer from Akey. Out of Chandler, Ariz., Woulard is a big target who has become his team's go-to-guy, according to Scout.com's Jason Jewell. "After watching Woulard play last week versus Dobson, I believe he has the tools of a Division-I wide receiver. He has very good size and adequate speed. He has nice hands and runs smooth routes. He is not afraid to go across the middle and will catch the ball in traffic," says Jewell. Woulard was "really excited" and "really interested" to get the call from Akey last week. Visit plans to Moscow are being talked about for December, while San Diego State, Idaho State, Washington State and Colorado State are making contact with SDSU looking like the closest school to offering. Woulard on the season has 32 catches, 390 yards and 6 TDs. Spokane's Jared Karstetter (6-4, 195, 4.53) has long been a Vandal target, receiving his UI offer back in June at the Vandals' summer youth camp. In Idaho's favor, he also has developed a solid relationship with Idaho receivers coach Luther Carr. Karstetter stated goal, however, is to land a Pac-10 offer so it remains to be seen how this one will play out. A dynamic athlete, Karstetter has another gear he can go to that help him gain yards after the catch. Karstetter plays for Ferris, who at 9-0 are the state's No. 1 ranked team in class 4A. Despite missing some early time this season, Karstetter is closing in on the league lead in receptions and yards and is tied for the top spot in TD grabs. Karstetter has 34 catches for 470 yards and 8 TDs according to an area newspaper's stats page. Preston Davis (6-2, 195, 4.58) drew most of his early notice for his work on the defensive side of the ball but Idaho and others like him on offense -- and that's also also where his heart lies. Utah is the frontrunner at this point, said Davis, with Idaho also right there in the thick of things. A tentative official trip to Moscow is scheduled for Dec. 7. "I've been hearing from Utah a lot," said Davis. "I've been keeping contact with Idaho and Utah the most, I'd say right now it's between those two schools." "I actually like talking to him because he makes me already feel like I'm part of the team," said Davis. "I know obviously I'm not but just feeling like as soon as I get there it would be a good family atmosphere." Shadow Ridge High has more losses than wins this year, and Davis has found himself double and triple teamed at times. He's still managed to take over on occasion, however, with the box score from one recent game showing 222 yards and four TDs among his 10 receptions.