Best NFL players born in Idaho
Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL's greatest talents trace their roots back to Idaho.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Idaho. Players were ranked by weighted career approximate value (AV), a metric developed by Pro Football Reference that measures overall career impact. Data is as of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
This list highlights players who made their mark on the league—some remembered for their longevity, others for their peak dominance. Read on to see which football stars born in Idaho have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#43. Bobby Post (DB) (tie)
- City: Twin Falls
- Years played: 1967-1967
- Games played: 5
- Weighted career value: 1
#43. Cody Pickett (QB) (tie)
- City: Caldwell
- Years played: 2004-2005
- Games played: 6
- Weighted career value: 1
#43. Jimmy Farris (WR) (tie)
- City: Lewiston
- Years played: 2003-2007
- Games played: 36
- Weighted career value: 1
#43. Rollin Putzier (DT) (tie)
- City: Coeur d'Alene
- Years played: 1988-1989
- Games played: 16
- Weighted career value: 1
#43. Ron Hadley (LB) (tie)
- City: Caldwell
- Years played: 1987-1988
- Games played: 6
- Weighted career value: 1
#43. Steve Hoyem (T) (tie)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1994-1994
- Games played: 6
- Weighted career value: 1
#40. Brent Pease (QB) (tie)
- City: Moscow
- Years played: 1987-1988
- Games played: 20
- Weighted career value: 2
#40. Brock Forsey (RB) (tie)
- City: Meridian
- Years played: 2003-2004
- Games played: 16
- Weighted career value: 2
#40. John Foruria (DB) (tie)
- City: Emmett
- Years played: 1967-1968
- Games played: 9
- Weighted career value: 2
#36. Brandon Bair (DT) (tie)
- City: Rexburg
- Years played: 2014-2015
- Games played: 21
- Weighted career value: 3
#36. Matt Hill (T) (tie)
- City: Grangeville
- Years played: 2002-2003
- Games played: 26
- Weighted career value: 3
#36. Tommy Togiai (DT) (tie)
- City: Pocatello
- Years played: 2021-2024
- Games played: 26
- Weighted career value: 3
#36. Wayne Baker (DT) (tie)
- City: Sandpoint
- Years played: 1975-1975
- Games played: 14
- Weighted career value: 3
#35. Chris Horn (WR)
- City: Caldwell
- Years played: 2004-2005
- Games played: 28
- Weighted career value: 4
#31. A.J. Feeley (QB) (tie)
- City: Caldwell
- Years played: 2001-2011
- Games played: 28
- Weighted career value: 7
#31. Duke Fergerson (WR) (tie)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1977-1980
- Games played: 42
- Weighted career value: 7
#31. Robin Earl (TE) (tie)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1977-1982 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 84
- Weighted career value: 7
#31. Scott Matlock (DL) (tie)
- City: Homedale
- Years played: 2023-2024
- Games played: 29
- Weighted career value: 7
#30. Josh Hill (TE)
- City: Blackfoot
- Years played: 2013-2020 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 117
- Weighted career value: 8
#29. Dick Arndt (DT)
- City: Bonners Ferry
- Years played: 1967-1970
- Games played: 34
- Weighted career value: 9
#28. Brad White (NT)
- City: Rexburg
- Years played: 1981-1987
- Games played: 73
- Weighted career value: 10
#26. Ernie Hughes (C) (tie)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1978-1983 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 45
- Weighted career value: 11
#26. Jonah Williams (DE) (tie)
- City: Meridian
- Years played: 2021-2024
- Games played: 50
- Weighted career value: 11
#24. Jeb Putzier (TE) (tie)
- City: Eagle
- Years played: 2002-2008
- Games played: 69
- Weighted career value: 12
#24. Lee Folkins (TE) (tie)
- City: Wallace
- Years played: 1961-1965 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 63
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 12
#22. Brock Osweiler (QB) (tie)
- City: Coeur d'Alene
- Years played: 2012-2018
- Games played: 49
- Weighted career value: 14
#22. Jim Wagstaff (DB) (tie)
- City: American Falls
- Years played: 1959-1961 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 30
- Weighted career value: 14
#21. Hugh Thornton (G)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 2013-2015 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 37
- Weighted career value: 16
#20. Shea McClellin (DE)
- City: Caldwell
- Years played: 2012-2016 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 66
- Weighted career value: 17
#19. Rick Woods (DB)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1982-1987
- Games played: 71
- Weighted career value: 18
#18. Mike Hollis (K)
- City: Kellogg
- Years played: 1995-2002
- Games played: 124
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 23
#16. Bryce Callahan (CB) (tie)
- City: Moscow
- Years played: 2015-2022 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 81
- Weighted career value: 24
#16. Rob Morris (LB) (tie)
- City: Nampa
- Years played: 2000-2007 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 24
#15. Taysom Hill (QB)
- City: Pocatello
- Years played: 2017-2024
- Games played: 105
- Weighted career value: 27
#13. Ken Greene (DB) (tie)
- City: Lewiston
- Years played: 1978-1984 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 29
#13. Paul Kruger (DE) (tie)
- City: Rexburg
- Years played: 2009-2016 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 29
#12. John Grant (DT)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1973-1979 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 30
#11. Bobby Watkins (DB)
- City: Cottonwood
- Years played: 1982-1988 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 32
#10. Steve Preece (DB)
- City: Idaho Falls
- Years played: 1969-1977 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 119
- Weighted career value: 33
#8. Matt Paradis (C) (tie)
- City: Council
- Years played: 2015-2021 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 98
- Weighted career value: 34
#8. Rich Moran (G) (tie)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1985-1993 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 108
- Weighted career value: 34
#7. Leighton Vander Esch (OLB)
- City: Riggins
- Years played: 2018-2023 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 71
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 35
#6. Merril Hoge (RB)
- City: Pocatello
- Years played: 1987-1994 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 38
#5. Jake Scott (G)
- City: Lewiston
- Years played: 2004-2012 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 131
- Weighted career value: 58
#4. Jordan Gross (T)
- City: Fruitland
- Years played: 2003-2013 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 167
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 69
#3. Jake Plummer (QB)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1997-2006 (10 years as starter)
- Games played: 143
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 77
#2. Larry Wilson (DB)
- City: Rigby
- Years played: 1960-1972 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 169
- Pro Bowl selections: 8
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 91
#1. Wayne Walker (LB)
- City: Boise
- Years played: 1958-1972 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 200
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 93
