Capital High wide receiver Harrison Ashby commits to Idaho football

Harrison Ashby considered himself a basketball player, so he gave up football after the eighth grade.

But Capital coach Todd Simis convinced Ashby to return to football for his senior season, and it’s proven to be a successful move. Ashby committed to play football on a full scholarship for Idaho over the weekend, he said.

The 6-foot-4, 225 pounder caught 34 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns for the state runner-up Eagles in 2016. He averaged 17 yards per catch, lining up anywhere from tight end to wing to receiver. He said he will likely play tight end for the Vandals and may grayshirt, meaning he would sign in February and enroll in January.

“Everyone was so welcoming, and it was just like a family. It’s not super far from home, and it just felt right,” said Ashby, who made an official visit to Idaho over the weekend.

Ashby was voted to the 5A All-Idaho first team at tight end and was a first-team all-5A SIC pick at flex.

“I never thought this would happen,” he said.

Simis said Idaho coaches likely appreciated Ashby’s athleticism, body type and potential for growth.

Ashby also had offers from Adams State and the College of Idaho, he said.

Ashby joins Eagle High offensive lineman Maxim Moore, who committed to Idaho in November.

See highlights from Ashby’s senior season here.

This story was originally published January 16, 2017 at 6:27 PM with the headline "Capital High wide receiver Harrison Ashby commits to Idaho football."