POCATELLO — Two Idaho State receivers transferred to FBS programs following the 2025 season.

Two more graduated with NFL aspirations. The Bengals closed on a four-game winning streak in November, and now much of the group that helped fuel that finish is gone.

Filling that void is the central challenge of spring ball 2026 — and inside receivers coach Buddy Blevins said the new group is already rising to meet it.

“They’re good, man. Lots of new people, lots of new faces. They’re making plays, they’re learning the offense and really they’re just really trying to get in sync with the quarterbacks,” Blevins said.

Among the new faces is a familiar one. Chedon James, who previously spent time with the program before departing, is back with the Bengals and immediately drawing attention. Blevins called him explosive and said his prior familiarity with the offense gives him a leg up on the other newcomers.

Blevins said James was one of the standouts Wednesday. “He also has a really good insight into the offense. There’s some new layers that he’s also trying to learn too that those other guys help him out with,” Blevins said.

James said it feels good to be back. “Just trying to get back into it, learning, same offense, but just trying to perfect it. I’m just grateful to be back and back with the guys,” he said.

The returning core of Adam Watts, Josh Ball and Dominic Ruiz has helped smooth the transition for the newcomers. Watts, a converted quarterback and the veteran of the group, said the integration of new players has been noticeably better than in years past.

“These transfers are a lot more social. People are doing stuff outside of football and definitely the transfers that we have are really good players, but they’re also really good people too,” Watts said. “Starting better integration in spring, we’re gonna be a much closer team in the fall.”

Among the other newcomers, Jimmy Triller has been a consistent playmaker and Owen Tomich has turned heads after recently moving from outside to inside receiver. Blevins noted Tomich is only three practices into the transition.

“He’s got a little bit of a learning curve, but he’s made some great plays downfield,” Blevins said.

With so many new pieces, both Watts and James credited Blevins’ emphasis on detail as the driving force behind the group’s rapid development.

“Coach Buddy Blevins really emphasizes the details and even the littlest things. We’re just gonna be detailed, disciplined,” James said.

Watts agreed. “Coach Buddy is super technical and you can see the strides that people are already making. It’s definitely incredible. The more we can fine tune those details, I think that’ll really help us out towards the end of Spring Bowl,” he said.

The Bengals also welcomed a new outside receivers coach in Josh Thompson, who previously worked with Blevins at UC Davis. Blevins said the partnership has been seamless, though the two are still getting on the same wavelength within the run-and-shoot offense.

“He kind of gets what we’re doing here,” Blevins said. “He is just a great dude. He is a great teammate. Us working together, communicating, making sure our guys are on the right page — that’s really what you want in a staff.”

Idaho State’s spring game is scheduled for April 11 at 2 p.m.