Senior quarterback Joshua Wood is growing increasingly comfortable in the University of Idaho’s revamped offensive system as the Vandals prepare for the 2026 season, with head coach Thomas Ford Jr. noting marked improvement across the roster following a 4-8 finish last year.
During fall camp practice on the outdoor field, Wood demonstrated command of offensive coordinator Ian Shoemaker’s playbook while working alongside a reshaped offensive line that Ford’s staff has spent the offseason assembling through recruitment and the transfer portal.
A New Offensive Foundation
Ford, in his second season at the helm, hired a new coaching staff in January 2025 and brought in 30 to 40 players from the transfer portal to rebuild the roster. That emphasis on roster turnover extends to the front five, where the Vandals are building continuity around five offensive linemen wearing the No. 1 jersey during camp: senior left tackle Howard Stedford, senior left guard Tyler Skinner, senior center Layton Vining, junior right guard Leon Evans, and senior right tackle Kiegan Henson.
The depth along the line appears solid as well. Eight or nine offensive linemen could see playing time this season, with the team planning to travel 11 linemen for road games—a roster management decision that reflects the coaching staff’s confidence in the depth chart. Offensive line coach Loren Endsley has been instrumental in developing the unit.
Henson, a Meridian native who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 290 pounds, anchors the right side alongside Evans. Skinner brings size and experience at 6-foot-4, 306 pounds, while center Vining, at 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, commands the interior of the line.
Wood’s Development
Wood’s growth under the new system has caught Ford’s attention. “I know that his development since (then) has been incredible,” Ford said of the senior signal-caller, as cited by the Lewiston Tribune. “What I’ve really noticed throughout fall camp is just his attention to detail, his improvement and his footwork.”
Wood himself expressed confidence in his mastery of Shoemaker’s scheme. “(I feel) very comfortable,” he told the Tribune. “The playbook I know like the back of my hand.”
The relationship between a quarterback and his protection unit is foundational to offensive success. Wood’s familiarity with the playbook, combined with a veteran offensive line that includes four seniors and a junior in the primary rotation, suggests the Vandals may have addressed one of last season’s vulnerabilities.
Building Momentum Heading into Season
Ford’s observation that the team appears more prepared than a year ago signals tangible progress during the offseason. A quarterback settling into an offensive identity while the line in front of him solidifies around veteran contributors creates the foundation for improved performance this fall.
The Vandals’ 4-8 record in 2025 provided clear motivation for the coaching staff’s aggressive offseason work. The recruitment push and emphasis on offensive line depth suggest Ford and his coordinators identified specific shortcomings and moved decisively to address them. Whether the improved preparation translates to wins on the field remains to be seen, but the structural work appears deliberate and comprehensive.
Idaho football will look to demonstrate the fruits of fall camp labor once the regular season begins. The combination of a settled quarterback, a veteran offensive line, and a coaching staff intent on building a more competitive roster could provide the foundation for a turnaround year in Moscow.
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