The Idaho football team will have to replace several top-flight performers, and that process starts in spring practice.

The Vandals lose a pair of four-year starters in quarterback Nathan Enderle and safety Shiloh Keo but also lose defensive tackle Jonah Sataraka, a two-year captain, and defensive end Aaron Lavarias, a two-time second-team All-WAC defensive end.

The defensive line is a key unit that will be a point of emphasis, as will replacing two starters on the offensive front.

Coach Robb Akey has an experienced quarterback in Brian Reader, who has started a handful of games in his career because of injuries and has been effective in a relief role.

With no turnover on the coaching staff in the offseason, Akey can continue to implement his systems to players who have been in the program as many as five years.

TOP OF THE CLASS

DT Ryan Edwards (Long Beach Poly HS, Long Beach, Calif.): Edwards enrolled at Idaho in January after spending the fall semester at a prep school in North Carolina. He had offers from Oregon, UCLA and Hawaii. He's expected to compete for a starter position right away.

CB Dion Bass (Centennial High, Corona, Calif.) -- The younger brother of Idaho running back Ryan Bass chose the Vandals after taking a visit to Nebraska. He gives the Vandals excellent speed on the outside and could vie for playing time right away.

LB Sua Tuala (City College of San Francisco, San Francisco) -- The junior college transfer will have a chance at playing right away at either of the outside linebacking spots. He was the JC state player of the year as a sophomore.

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