Texas DB picks the Vandals

With offers from some local programs like Baylor, Houston and North Texas in hand, Copperas Cove, Texas running back Troy Vital has shrugged off the in-state teams and is heading North. Vital has made a verbal commitment to play at Idaho.

Earlier this week, Vital made the decision.

"[The coaches] came down to the house for an in-home visit on Monday and then they left and I called coach Akey on Tuesday after I prayed about it," Vital said. "They were really excited. Coach Akey was just really excited and said welcome to the family."

The community atmosphere at Idaho is what sealed the deal for Vital, as well as a shot at some early playing time.

"It's like a family down there," Vital said of the Vandals. "Everybody's close. They're really motivated and have a good coaching staff with coach Akey and I like the chance of playing early, especially as a true freshman."

Though the Idaho community is not a big one, Vital said that their focus was in the right place.

"The city is not real big," he said. "Everybody knows everybody and the city revolves around Idaho football."

Another selling point for Vital was his time with freshman Quinn Ashley out of Paris, Texas. Ashley was Vital's host on his official visit.

"He showed me around the weight room and stuff and he's one of the Freshmen that played for them this year. So we both get to do damage in the backfield this year and that's what got me hyped up. He said playing high school football in Texas just got me prepared to come out and play as a true freshman like he did last year."