Only one of Idaho’s top 3 football prospects is uncommitted. Will he go to Boise State?
Idaho high school football teams can begin practicing for the 2023 season on Aug. 7.
By then, all three of Idaho’s top prospects in the 2024 class will have made their college commitments known.
Only one — No. 1 prospect Gatlin Bair of Burley High — has yet to announce his decision, but he’ll do so in style in a live reveal online on Saturday, Aug. 5.
Below is a look at Idaho’s top three football players in the class of 2024, according to 247sports.
1. Gatlin Bair
High school: Burley
Position: WR
Height/weight: 6-2/198
247Sports rating: 4 stars
National rank: 35 (position 9)
He became the fastest high school sprinter in Idaho history in the spring, sweeping the 100 and 200 meters at the 4A state track and field meet. That speed is just as dangerous on the turf, where Bair is being recruited by a host of Power 5 schools. He announced a top 5 of Nebraska, Michigan, TCU, Oregon and Boise State in April but has since said the Broncos will be among his final two — because of their proximity to home and the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Bair recently announced on Twitter he will make his commitment decision next week.
“(Boise State) has a real legitimate shot,” Burley coach Cameron Anderson said. “It’s not a token thing him putting them top two. They really, really have a shot.”
As a junior, Bair caught 73 passes for 1,073 yards and 18 touchdowns — an average of 14.7 yards per catch.
“Violent speed. He runs angry,” Anderson said. “His speed translates really, really well from the track to the football field. There’s really not a drop-off.”
2. Camden DeGraw
High school: Coeur d’Alene
Position: Edge
Height/weight: 6-6/235
247Sports rating: 3 stars
National rank: NA (position 102)
After an outstanding summer camp circuit, DeGraw accepted an offer from Washington State in July. He also had offers from Boise State, Eastern Washington, Portland State and Weber State, according to 247Sports.
“He’s got the extreme lengths and athletic ability that colleges are looking for,” Coeur d’Alene coach Shawn Amos said. “He’s also pretty raw. I think his ceiling is pretty high and I think he’s going to continue to grow. I think he’s gonna get a lot better even this year.”
As a junior, DeGraw racked up 48 tackles and a team-best nine tackles for loss, to go with three forced fumbles.
This season, Amos said he may try sprinkling in DeGraw on offense at tight end.
“I think the most exciting thing is he’s still got a ton of untapped potential,” Amos said. “We’re looking for him to make an even bigger impact this year for us.”
3. Rakeem Johnson
High school: Bishop Kelly
Position: OT
Height/weight: 6-3/250
247Sports rating: 3 stars
National rank: NA (position 130)
The three-sport standout also plays basketball and competes in the shot put and discus during the track and field season. He won the 4A state championship in the discus and placed third in the shot put in May.
“He’s done a really good job of balancing grades and all three sports,” Bishop Kelly football coach Chris Culig said. “And he still finds time to lift (weights), so he’s doing a real good job.”
With Johnson’s help up front, the Knights finished second at state in 2022, averaging 133.6 yards on the ground and 43.6 points per game. Johnson did not give up a sack all season.
Johnson announced his commitment to Oregon State on Wednesday. He also had offers from Washington State, Boise State, Boston College, Air Force, Idaho, Montana State and Weber State.
“He’s an incredible person. He lights up a room when he walks in it,” Culig said. “Tremendous athlete. He’s so athletic he kind of looks, not to downgrade offensive linemen, but he looks like a defensive end, big outside linebacker kind of guy. He’s that athletic. He’s got really long arms, and can run and move.”
