With seven home games scheduled in the ICCU Dome, there are plenty of chances to see the Bengals in action this fall. But it was not so long ago, before the dome and before ISU was officially a four-year institution, that Bengal football looked a little bit different. Football at the Academy of Idaho began in September 1902, when the school was barely one year old. The football team took the field against Pocatello High School and Idaho Falls High School for five games and completed their inaugural season 5-0. The Academy’s baseball team decided to call themselves the “Tigers” in 1908, but it was not until 1927 that football coach Ralph Hutchinson, a Princeton alumnus, established Princeton's orange and black and the Bengal Tiger as the school’s official colors and mascot. As we look back at ISU’s 125 years as an institution, we are inspired by the players, coaches and staff who devoted their talent to our Bengal nation through the years. Among those who call Idaho State University their alma mater are a small group of individuals who took their athleticism and strength to the highest halls — the NFL.
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These are the athletes and coaches who made it all the way to the NFL after getting their start here at ISU. We are proud of our football heritage and each of these individuals.
For a full fan experience highlighting all of ISU’s football Sports Hall of Fame inductees, visit the website and select football.
ISU faculty and staff have the opportunity to receive two free tickets (non-priority seating) to all preseason and non-conference home sporting events in 2026-27. This offer is available for game-day redemption at the door only and is based on availability. In order to receive the offer, faculty and staff IDs must be shown.
Idaho State alumni who reached the NFL
Jim Wagstaff, ISU Class of 1959, NFL career 1959-1961, Chicago Cardinals, Buffalo Bills
Ed Bell, ISU Class of 1970, NFL career 1970-1976, New York Jets, San Diego Chargers
Tom Toner, ISU Class of 1973, NFL career 1973-1977, Green Bay Packers
Mike Hancock, ISU Class of 1973, NFL career 1973-1974, Washington Redskins
Brian Vertefeuille, ISU Class of 1974, NFL career 1974, San Diego Chargers
John Roman, ISU Class of 1976, NFL career 1976-1982, New York Jets
Will Grant, ISU Class of 1978, NFL career 1978-1987, Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks
Joe Moreino, ISU Class of 1978, NFL career 1978, New York Jets
Marvin Lewis, ISU Class of 1981, NFL career 1996-2018, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals
Dirk Koetter, ISU Class of 1981, NFL career 2007-2020, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Case deBruijn, ISU Class of 1982, NFL career 1982, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Machurek, ISU Class of 1984, NFL career 1984, Detroit Lions
Kevin Hudgens, ISU Class of 1986, NFL career 1986, Atlanta Falcons
Bob Otto, ISU Class of 1986, NFL career 1986-1987, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Oilers
Mike Busch, ISU Class of 1987, NFL career 1987, New York Giants
Merril Hoge, ISU Class of 1987, NFL career 1987-1994, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears
Matt Courtney, ISU Class of 1987, NFL career 1987, San Francisco 49ers
Ken O'Neal, ISU Class of 1987, NFL career 1987, New Orleans Saints
Jamie Fitzgerald, ISU Class of 1987, NFL career 1987, Minnesota Vikings
Dan MacDonald, ISU Class of 1987, NFL career 1987, Denver Broncos
Shawn Beals, ISU Class of 1988, NFL career 1988, Philadelphia Eagles
Donald Miller, ISU Class of 1990, NFL career 1990, Seattle Seahawks
Eddie Johnson, ISU Class of 2003, NFL career 2003, Minnesota Vikings
Mark Weivoda, ISU Class of 2004, NFL career 2004, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jared Allen, ISU Class of 2004, NFL career 2004-2015, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
Pago Togafau, ISU Class of 2007, NFL career 2007-2009, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals
Matt Gutierrez, ISU Class of 2007, NFL career 2007-2009, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
Jeff Charleston, ISU Class of 2007, NFL career 2007-2011, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints
Evan Dietrich-Smith, ISU Class of 2009, NFL career 2009-2018, Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Josh Hill, ISU Class of 2018, NFL career 2018-2020, New Orleans Saints
Tanner Conner, ISU Class of 2022, NFL career 2022-Pres., Miami Dolphins
