He was the guy no one saw coming, until suddenly, everyone wanted him. If you follow Big Sky football, you already know the name. If you’re a Big Ten fan, you’re likely just now catching up to the whirlwind that is Logan George.
The story of Logan George Idaho State is basically a case study in how the transfer portal has fundamentally changed the "mid-major" grind. One minute you’re playing in front of 8,000 people in Pocatello; the next, Larry Johnson is calling your cell while you're trying to grab dinner with your parents. It’s wild. Honestly, it's the kind of jump that usually only happens in video games, but George made it real.
The Pocatello Powerhouse
Logan George didn't start as a blue-chip recruit. He grew up in Pocatello, playing for Highland High—the same school that produced former Buckeye standout Tommy Togiai. Despite his local dominance, his path wasn't linear. He originally committed to Utah State as a preferred walk-on but chose to serve a two-year church mission first.
When he came back, he didn't head to Logan, Utah. He stayed home.
Joining Idaho State University (ISU) turned out to be the spark he needed. By 2024, George wasn't just a starter; he was a problem for every offensive coordinator in the Big Sky. He racked up 57 tackles and a conference-leading 19.5 tackles for loss. That’s nearly two TFLs a game. He was relentless.
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Why the Blue Bloods Came Calling
When ISU went through a coaching change after a 5-7 season, George entered the portal. He didn't just get a few nibbles. He got a feast. Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M all reached out.
People often wonder how a kid from a "terrible" FCS program—as some harsh Reddit threads put it—gets that much attention. It’s the tape. 18.5 tackles for loss don't happen by accident.
He's got those "strong hands" that coaches like Ryan Day and Larry Johnson obsess over. He’s 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, and plays with a sort of frantic, high-motor energy that translates to any level. He chose Ohio State in late 2024 because, in his words, it was the best place to "better his career."
The Ohio State Speed Bump
Making the leap from the Big Sky to the Big Ten is a massive hurdle. George admitted it himself during spring practices in early 2025. The speed of the offense was the first thing that hit him.
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"The learning curve is definitely steep," he told reporters back then.
Unfortunately, his time in Columbus didn't quite go to script. While he earned the respect of veterans like Caden Curry, an undisclosed injury and a crowded depth chart limited him. He saw the field in 2025 against teams like Ohio and Minnesota, but he was eventually surpassed by younger talent like Zion Grady. He only played about 19 defensive snaps all season.
It’s a tough pill to swallow when you're used to being the man.
The Next Chapter: Seattle Bound
As of January 12, 2026, the saga took another turn. Following Ohio State’s loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, George hit the portal again.
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He's headed to the University of Washington.
The Huskies are desperate for an edge presence after a lackluster 2025 season where they struggled to find a consistent pass rush. For George, it’s a chance to return to the West and prove that those Logan George Idaho State numbers weren't a fluke. He has the size and the production history to be a starter in Seattle immediately.
What to Watch for in 2026:
- Health: Can he stay on the field after the injury bug bit him in Columbus?
- Scheme Fit: Washington needs a pure disruptor; George’s history of TFLs suggests he's the guy.
- The "Chip": Playing with something to prove after being a reserve at OSU.
If you’re looking to track his progress, keep an eye on Washington's spring camp reports. The move to Seattle puts him back in a defensive system that might better utilize his "see ball, get ball" mentality.
For those following his journey from Pocatello to the national stage, the biggest takeaway is simple: production is king. Whether you're at a Big Sky school or a Power 4 powerhouse, if you can live in the opponent's backfield, someone will find a spot for you. George is living proof of that.
To see how George’s game translates this fall, check out his 2024 Idaho State highlights—they show the raw physicality that Washington is betting on for their 2026 campaign.