2007 Vandal Football Team Awards

For the second year in a row, numerous Idaho team records fell. Tailback Deonte Jackson set a new freshman rushing record. Shiloh Keo set a new record for yards per punt return, and set a new record with a 100 yard punt return. David Vobora led the WAC in tackles for the second year in a row. And among the 2007 redshirt class, tightend KEVIN SMALL earned Offensive Scout Team POY honors.

Kevin Small, 6-3, 258, RS-Jr, TE
Scout Team Player of the Year, OFFENSE
Small joined the Vandals last fall as a JC transfer and redshirted the 2007 season. Signed as a TE, he got some early looks on the DL, then moved back to TE where he earned Scout Team POY for the offense. Two of Idaho's last three offensive POYs (Korby, and Adam Juratovac) earned starting roles the following year. Expectations will be high for Small in 2008.

Derek Weiting

Derek Wieting, 6-1, 231, RS-Fr, DE/LB
Scout Team Player of the Year, DEFENSE
Wieting signed with Idaho in 2006 and gray shirted the 2006 season. He then redshirted last season, earning Scout Team Player of the Year honors on the defensive side of the ball. Wieting follows Andrew Blevins (2006) and Tyrel Fenwick (2005) as former Award winners, and will be battling for immediate playing time.

Jayson Bird, 6-0, 222, RB, RS-Jr
Kathy Clark, Scholar Athlete of the Year
This is the second year in a row that Jayson Bird - one of Idaho's top runningbacks throughout his career and a premed student - has earned this award. After presenting the award Akey announced Bird will not play next year due to injuries sustained throughout his career. He earned a much deserved standing ovation from the crowd in attendance.

Adam Korby

Adam Korby, 6-2, 289, C, RS-Jr
Wayne Walker Ironman Award
Adam has won this award three consecutive years, and hasn't missed a start at center in three years for the Vandals.

Rolly Lumbala, 6-2, 251, TE/FB, Senior
The Eric McMillan Award
Rolly was ranked the No. 26 fullback in the nation by Phil Steele this preseason, and is currently listed among the Top 20 FB prospects for this year's NFL Draft. Rolly will be playing in this weekend's Texas vs. The Nation game. CLICK HERE to view the rosters for this weekend's game.

Taylor Rust, 6-2, 231, DE, RS-Jr
Wayne Anderson Coaces Award
Started all 12 games for the Vandals at defensive end this season after playing the last two years primarily on special teams.

Eddie Williams

Eddie Williams, 6-1, 237, TE/FB, Jr
Hec Edmondson Most Inspirational Player Award
Eddie may be the most versatile of Idaho's offensive weapons. This season he lined up at tightend, fullback, split end, flanker, and slot. Exceptionally strong, as a junior he's already considered one of Idaho's top NFL draft prospects for the 2009 draft.

Eric Hunter, 5-6, 158, CB, RS-Fr
Special Team Player of the Year
As a redshirt freshman walkon this fall he earned starting duties at cornerback and played extensively throughout the season, including on virtually all of Idaho's special teams units.

Deonte Jackson, 5-8, 191, RB, RS-Fr
Offensive Player of the Year
How fitting. Anyone that watched Idaho play this fall learned quickly that Jackson was one of the key components in making the Vandal offense go. He set a new freshman rushing record, and stands fourth all-time among Vandal runningbacks in a single season.

David Vobora, 6-1, 223, LB, Senior
Defensive Player of the Year
Vobora was the heart and soul of the Vandal defense, leading the team and the Western Athletic Conference in tackles for two consecutive years. His name is etched in the Vandal record books, and he's projected as a sixth or seventh round draft pick in this spring's NFL Draft, ranked 18th out of 230 outside linebackers by NFLDraftScout.com.

Shiloh Keo

Shiloh Keo, 5-10, 208, SS, Jr
John Friesz MVP Award
As crucial as Vobora was on defense and Jackson was on offense, true sophomore Shiloh Keo was one of the emotional leaders for this team. His inspirational play at safety and on special teams earned him mention on TWO All-WAC lists (Second Team All-WAC safety and Second Team All-WAC special teams). He earned Honorable Mention Freshman All-American honors in 2006, and will be expected to be one of Idaho's team leaders in 2008.





This season Idaho honored the top 11 special teams players, a group referred to as the ELITE 11. The eleven award recipients are:

Shiloh Keo (Special Teams Player of the Year)
Justin Allen
Isaac Butts
Joseph Dickson
Dewey Hale
Eric Hunter
Cary Jensen-Madison
Brandon Ogletree
Vicente Rico
Adam Shamion
David Vobora

Head coach Robb Akey said Spring practice starts March 25, they will practice Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.