New Idaho football coach Paul Petrino will have options when it comes to choosing the Vandals’ starting quarterback this fall.

With the commitment of Matt Linehan, the son of former Idaho quarterback and current Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, Idaho will have at least five quarterbacks in fall camp.

Senior Taylor Davis, who started the season finale at Utah State, and redshirt freshmen Chad Chalich and Austin DeCoud were with the team last season. Chalich, from Coeur d’Alene High, is a two-time Idaho Statesman All-Idaho 5A Player of the Year.

Junior Anthony Neyer joined the Vandals this winter as a transfer from Pierce College in Los Angeles. Neyer originally signed with USC.

Linehan, who led Orchard Lakes St. Mary’s in Michigan to a Division 3 state title game last fall, is expected to redshirt in 2013 and join a crowded field competing for the starting role in 2014.

“Develop my strength and mobility and try to get that to where it needs to be,” Linehan said. “And then my redshirt freshman year have an open competition for the job. It’s mine to earn once that happens.”

The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder had offers from Football Championship Subdivision and Division II programs, but Idaho was his first Football Bowl Subdivision offer.

He sent Petrino a highlight tape after the former Arkansas offensive coordinator was hired by Idaho in December.

Petrino coached under Scott Linehan at Idaho in 1992 and 1993 and at Louisville in 1999. Linehan was the offensive coordinator at both schools.

“I knew they knew each other very well. My dad is very fond of Coach Petrino,’’ Matt Linehan said.

Linehan said he has gotten a chance to interact with and ask questions of Lions’ quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill. He said former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, the Lions’ No. 3 quarterback, offered his congratulations after Linehan committed to the Vandals.

“I get as much information as I can from them,’’ Linehan said. “Anytime I have a question I go to them — or, at least, my dad.’’

Scott Linehan quarterbacked Idaho from 1983 to 1986. He ranks in the top 10 in nearly every passing category for the Vandals.

Boise State senior tight end Gabe Linehan is Matt's cousin.

Brian Murphy: 377-6444,Twitter: @MurphsTurph