Vandals football ink trio of newcomers

Idaho football coach Paul Petrino can count on one hand the number of mid-year signees, and that’s a very good thing as he continues to build the Vandals.

After signing 11 last December and eight the December prior, Petrino added two junior college transfers and an early high school graduate Wednesday. All will join the team for spring practices.

“It makes it nice when you only have to take 3-5 junior college players and then get a bunch of good high school football players,” Petrino said. “That’s hopefully what you can do from here on out.”

Petrino said he hopes to add another junior college transfer this week, but aims to continue to be less reliant on it, likely to add only one or two more in February. Here is a look at the three new additions.

▪ FB Josh Herman, 6-1, 251, Jr. (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M): Herman should immediately fill in for the position vacated with Jake Manley’s graduation, able to provide some extra blocking ability in the run game.

“He’s thick, he’s strong, a very good blocker, tough and aggressive,” Petrino said.

▪ WR Alfonso Onunwor, 6-1, 186, Jr. (Coffeyville, Kan. CC): One of the top junior college receivers in the nation, he had 75 receptions for 906 yards and 10 TDs this season. He also had offers from Southern Miss and Bowling Green and was a teammate of Boise State signee Cedrick Wilson at Coffeyville.

“He’s a playmaker and anytime you can get a playmaker, you take him,” Petrino said.

▪ OL Noah Johnson, 6-4, 280, Fr. (Fayetteville (Ark.) High): A two-time all-state selection, Petrino said he can play center or guard. In ninth grade he played with Petrino’s son, Mason, when Petrino coached at Arkansas.

“Very athletic, which is what we liked,” Petrino said, adding he got “a steal” in Johnson.

This story was originally published December 16, 2015 at 11:08 PM with the headline "Vandals football ink trio of newcomers."