TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — It’s always a special day signing to play collegiate sports. It’s more special doing it with a close friend and teammate.
Minico football players Will Neilson and Daniel Larios did just that Wednesday morning. Neilson signed to Southern Oregon, while Larios signed to the College of Idaho in the Frontier Conference.
“It hasn’t set in, and I don’t know if it ever will,” Neilson told KMVT on signing to Southern Oregon.” I’m ecstatic for the opportunity.”
The two helped Minico win the Great Basin Championship in 2024 and finish third in the 5A State Tournament.
“My whole family is here, and it’s crazy coming from a family that’s never had a college athlete,” Larios told KMVT. “This is big for us.”
Larios dealt with an injury to begin the year but still significantly contributed to the Spartans and was a second-team all-conference defensive lineman.
Now, off to play for the Yotes, he’s excited to play football and get an education from a great program.
“The support and education at COI are incredible. They have immense support there,” Larios said. “I visited the campus multiple times, and they’re always welcoming. They know me by first and last name, so it immediately felt like family.”
Larios plans on studying business administration and starting his own company in a trade one day.
He’s excited to wear his new purple and black threads, but he will always cherish his time with the Spartans.
“It was a dream of mine to play for Minico since I was a young kid,” Larios told KMVT passionately. “This program has never let me down, and I’m happy I could be a part of it.”
Neilson is joining Larios in the Frontier Conference and off to Southern Oregon.
He was all-state and all-conference as a linebacker for Minico, racking up 158 tackles and 6.5 sacks in the year.
Neilson made the play of the season in the ‘Minico Miracle’: a pick-6 to beat Twin Falls in the Great Basin Championship.
“It’s amazing to have been given this opportunity to play football,” Neilson said. “Most people aren’t given the chance to play football and even do it at the collegiate level, so I’m grateful.”
He’s been around football all his life as his grandpa played for the College of Idaho, his uncle played at Utah State, and his dad played for Boise State.
Neilson knew from a young age that he wanted to continue his pursuit of football into college.
“I remember in the first grade when my dad was the coach teaching us to tackle in flag football,” Neilson joked. “He would always say ‘Wrap him up’ and ‘Take him to the ground’ and then grab their flags. From that point on, it’s always been a dream of mine to play football as long as I could and strive to get there.”
The two will battle in the Frontier Conference for years to come, representing their Minico community.
Video will be attached after the 10:00 show.
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