“We are grateful for everything Jason has done to advance Vandal football, Idaho Athletics, the University of Idaho, our community and our state,” Idaho athletics director Terry Gawlik said in a statement. “We wish Jason, Kimberly and the entire Eck family the best of luck. Jason took over a struggling team and built a culture that immediately brought excitement and success back to the dome. We now look to the future to find the next leader of the Vandal football program. The foundation for success has been laid and we look to the future with the goal of winning Big Sky and national championships.”

Four key Vandals enter the transfer portal

In the hours following Eck’s departure, at least four Vandals entered their names into the college football transfer portal, including Layne and star wide receiver Jordan Dwyer.

Layne and Dwyer made their announcements on social media.

Layne started eight games for the Vandals over the last three seasons, beating Idaho State three times and leading the Vandals to a 6-2 record with him under center. Both of his losses came against Oregon and Montana State, the current No. 1 teams in the FBS and FCS, respectively.

The sophomore from Lake Oswego, Oregon, posted 1,477 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions in six starts in 2024.

Dwyer, a sophomore from Puyallup Wash., entered the portal with two years of eligibility remaining. In three years at Idaho, Dwyer played two full seasons after playing in just four games as a true freshman and totaled 109 catches for 1,651 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Dwyer broke out in 2024, making 78 catches for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns in a season in which he became part of an Idaho offense that lost starters to two star wideouts in NFL training camps, Hatten and Jermaine Jackson.

He wasted little time Saturday announcing offers from Eck’s New Mexico, Nevada, Montana and Washington State, among others.

Two Idaho All-Big Sky Conference defensive linemen also hit the portal Saturday: defensive lineman Dallas Afalava and defensive back Dwayne McDougle.

McDougle made his announcement on social media while Afalava’s move was reported on 247sports.com.

Afalava was a dangerous unit, accounting for 31 tackles and 4.5 sacks in each of Idaho’s 14 games this season.

The Rainier Beach High School (Seattle) graduate spent two years on the Palouse, recording nine sacks and 56 total tackles.

After three years in Moscow, McDougle also contacted the portal on Saturday. McDougle redshirted in 2022 and then played a total of 26 games over the next two seasons, including each of Idaho’s 14 games in 2024. The sophomore from Oakland totaled 87 tackles with two interceptions and 11 passes defensed.

More Vandals could appear on the portal in the coming days as Idaho searches for its next coach.