Former University of Idaho Vandals Standout Jackson Rasmussen Transfers to Oregon State in Revamped Pac-12
A standout freshman from the University of Idaho’s basketball program is heading to the Pac-12, marking a significant move in the rapidly shifting landscape of college athletics. Jackson Rasmussen, who earned Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year honors for the 2025-26 season, has announced his transfer to Oregon State University, where he will join the newly revamped Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Rasmussen leaves Moscow with three years of eligibility remaining and a resume that turned heads across the Big Sky and beyond. As a freshman, he started all 35 games for the Vandals, averaging 13.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 48.6% from the floor and 32.1% from three-point range. His contributions helped Idaho qualify for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1990 — a milestone moment for the program and for Vandal fans across the Palouse region.
A Breakout Season in Moscow
Rasmussen’s path to the University of Idaho included prep stops at Owyhee High School and Utah Prep before he arrived in Moscow and immediately made an impact. His ability to score from multiple areas of the floor and his consistency as a starter earned him the Big Sky’s top freshman award and drew attention from programs at higher levels of competition.
For Vandal fans who watched Rasmussen help engineer one of the most memorable seasons in recent program history, his departure is a bittersweet moment. The Idaho Vandals entered spring football camp earlier this year with new coordinators and key players to watch, and the athletics department as a whole has been navigating a period of transition — on and off the court. Losing a Big Sky Freshman of the Year to a Power Conference program underscores both the talent developing in Moscow and the recruiting pressures facing mid-major programs in the modern transfer portal era.
Oregon State and the Revamped Pac-12
Rasmussen’s destination carries additional significance beyond the individual move. Oregon State is part of the newly reconstituted Pac-12 Conference, which is set to begin competition in the 2026-27 school year following years of upheaval in college athletics. The revamped conference includes the addition of several new schools, including Boise State, reshaping the competitive landscape across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West regions.
According to basketball analyst Jeff Goodman, founder of the Field of 68, “Rasmussen is the first transfer commitment for new Oregon State coach Justin Joyner.” That makes the former Vandal not just a roster addition, but a foundational piece for a program building under new leadership in a rebuilt conference.
The transfer also sets up a compelling future matchup: with Idaho joining or competing against Pac-12 programs in scheduling, Rasmussen could find himself facing his former teammates in conference play. That storyline will draw interest from fans on both sides of the rivalry, adding a personal dimension to what is already a significant conference realignment story.
The University of Idaho has been investing in its programs and facilities in recent years. The university recently celebrated the opening of a new meat science facility, reflecting a broader commitment to academic and athletic excellence on the Moscow campus. Whether on the hardwood or in the classroom, the institution continues to attract talented individuals who go on to make their mark at higher levels.
For the Vandals, the challenge now is clear: replace production from one of the conference’s best freshmen while continuing to build on the momentum of an NCAA Tournament appearance. For Rasmussen, the opportunity ahead in Corvallis is substantial — three years of eligibility, a new coaching staff, and a Power Conference stage on which to prove himself.
What Comes Next
Jackson Rasmussen will enroll at Oregon State and compete in the Pac-12 Conference beginning with the 2026-27 season, bringing three years of eligibility with him to Corvallis. The University of Idaho Vandals, fresh off a historic NCAA Tournament run, will look to reload through recruiting and the transfer portal as they prepare for their own future in the evolving college athletics landscape. Pac-12 conference play is expected to begin in the fall of 2026, with the full basketball schedule to be announced ahead of the season.