Brayden Rice, a senior safety for the Idaho Vandals, has been named to the 2026 Preseason All-Big Sky Team, recognizing his outstanding special teams play. The announcement was made at the Big Sky Football Kickoff in Spokane, highlighting top performers in the FCS. Rice's recognition comes after a remarkable 2025 season where he recorded all 23 of his career tackles, including his first tackle for loss (TFL), while being a key player in both punt and kickoff coverage. He is the only returning all-conference player for Idaho and has received consecutive honors for his contributions to special teams.

By the Numbers
  • Brayden Rice recorded 23 tackles in 2025, marking a career high.
  • He was named Idaho's special teams player of the week twice during the 2025 season.
State of Play
  • The Vandals will start fall camp on July 28, preparing for their season opener.
  • Preseason preparations highlight key players in one of the FCS's most competitive conferences.
What's Next

Idaho will begin practices for the season on July 29, allowing the team to build on their preseason momentum ahead of their first game. The Vandals and Brayden Rice both aim to capitalize on the early recognition to drive performance throughout the 2026 season.

Bottom Line

Brayden Rice's inclusion in the Preseason All-Big Sky Team underscores his pivotal role on special teams and sets a strong foundation for Idaho's upcoming season. His continued success could significantly impact the Vandals as they seek to establish themselves in a depth-heavy conference.