From Spartan to Vandal, McLain commits to Idaho

Matyus McLain, a senior from Priest River High School, has been a busy man this summer.

He’s been attending as many football camps as possible, collecting several individual awards in the process.

His hard work paid off when he announced his commitment to the University of Idaho on Saturday.

He announced via Twitter that he will be attending the University of Idaho during the 2023-24 fall semester.

The Vandals have shown interest in McLain since the beginning of February, with the two parties talking more in March.

Idaho’s interest increased following McLain’s performance at their team camp in June, with him winning the MVP award for edge rushers.

“I chose Idaho because it’s a place I want to be,” McLain said. “I know that the coaching staff and the program will turn me into a hardworking and successful individual.”

Other schools had reached out to McLain with offers, but the University of Idaho checked all his boxes.

“The other schools were a little late with offers or were just too far from home,” McLain explained. “I would think about it like this, would I go to that school if it didn’t have a football program? Idaho ended up being one of the few schools that fit that criteria throughout the process.”

In-state recruiting was one of the things that first-year Vandals coach Jason Eck wanted to emphasize during the recruitment process, and so far, he’s delivered.

“Working with coach Eck has been a blast,” McLain said. “Coach Eck and his staff heavily recruit in-state kids knowing they will play with pride and work much harder in their home state.”

McLain certainly fits the billing of local kids who are excited to play for their home state.

“I’m super excited to be a part of this program,” he said. “I think in 2-3 years we’ll have a Big Sky Championship.”

Eck is also giving an opportunity to the smaller schools around the area to have a chance to play division I football.

McLain, who’s coming from Priest River High School, a 3A school last year, a 2A school this year, will have an opportunity to play at the highest level.

“Getting the opportunity to play Division I football is a dream come true for me,” McLain said. “It gives me an opportunity to continue playing the sport I love for the next five years, possibly even more. It’s also an opportunity to prove myself at the next level and continue striving towards bigger goals.”

McLain issued some advice for those attending a small school with aspirations of playing sports at a division I level; learn to love the weight room.

“Even with a job, you’ve got to be able to put in the work,” McLain said. “I’ve gained 20-30 pounds yearly in muscle mass since freshman year because of it.”

McLain is a three sport athlete; in addition to football, he participates in both track and wrestling.

Both sports have played a huge role in his success on the gridiron, but sprinting was a huge difference maker for the senior.

“Do sprints, no matter how big and slow you may think you are,” McLain said. “It makes all the difference in speed and explosiveness.”

McLain still has full intentions of playing all three sports when his senior year begins.

“The plan for the football season is to wreak havoc in the backfield,” McLain said. “I still plan on doing all three sports. I’m looking to be a state champion in the 220 pound weight class and a state champ in the throws and top three in sprints.”

McLain admits that track and wrestling have a heavy influence on the football field, especially for the positions he plays.

“You need to be explosive, strong and aggressive in order to be a good football player and both of those sports have helped a lot,” He said. “Wrestling helps with aggressiveness and explosions as well as teaches you to use different parts of your body to move people. Track helps in similar aspects; to be explosive and obviously gain speed.”