Northern Colorado football lands 22 recruits on National Signing Day
Ed Lamb’s first University of Northern Colorado recruiting class made things official on Wednesday, the opening day of the regular signing period.
Several recruits signed during the early period in December, but this was the first group specifically recruited by Lamb and his staff.
UNC inked 22 out of its expected 23 recruits. Lamb said on Wednesday afternoon he was not concerned about the players’ whose national letters of intent got delayed throughout the day. They were not due to changes in decisions but extenuating circumstances, such as being in class.
The Bears focused on landing in-state talent, which it did. The majority of all signees call the Centennial state home. About 60% of the recruits played for Colorado high schools, and two played for Weld County schools.
Most of the players fit into the wide receiver group, secondary and the offensive and defensive lines. Lamb said the program focused on recruiting players where the position lacked depth and needed immediate help.
Lamb said he’s excited about the class and feels good about the players UNC has coming in. The new signees add to the five commits UNC picked up in December.
Carver Cheeks, Fountain, Colo., WR
Cheeks comes to UNC from Mesa Ridge High School, where he recorded 988 yards on 48 catches for 14 receiving touchdowns. His highlight reel includes athletic and unlikely receptions. He added two rushing TDs, as well.
The incoming freshman did all of this after recovering from a lawnmower accident that, for a while, cost him two fingertips. One of his fingers remains shorter than the one on his opposite hand.
Oliver Ortiz, Dumas, Tex., WR
Ortiz is a two-sport athlete joining the UNC program after spending his high school career in Texas. In his senior year, Ortiz recorded 294 yards and five TDs, averaging nearly 30 yards per reception. He added 467 yards and six touchdowns a year earlier.
Ortiz’s older brother previously played at Texas Tech.
Nolan Gibbs, Cumming, Ga., OL/DL
Gibbs played at East Forsyth High School in Georgia. After his senior season, Forsyth County News named him to its All-County second team and he earned All-Region second-team honors. The school completed its second football season in November. Gibbs is part of its firstever senior class.
Reece Pratz, Greeley, Colo., WR
A local kid is staying in Greeley to continue his collegiate career. Pratz will travel about 15 minutes southeast to join the Northern Colorado program after playing at Northridge High School all four years.
Pratz finished high school with 605 yards on 34 catches and nine scores. Then, he added 215 rushing yards, two rushing TDs and 177 kick return yards. Pratz logged nearly 1,100 allpurpose yards in his career.
The incoming receiver is a two-sport athlete, adding track and field to his resume. Pratz medaled in several events, according to MaxPreps, including seven wins last season. Lamb said Pratz is a dynamic athlete who might not be the biggest, but he brings versatility.
Makur Abram, Denver, Colo., DE
The Bears added a three-sport athlete in Abram. He travels to Greeley from Jefferson High School, where he played football and basketball and ran track.
Abram racked up 118 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss during his career. He also contributed two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and one blocked field goal.
Kyle Nelson, Gilbert, Ariz., DE
Nelson signed with UNC after attending Heritage Academy in Mesa, Arizona. He is a three-sport athlete and a dynamic player who has been at multiple positions on both sides of the ball.
The freshman spent last summer attending various college camps at multiple Big Sky and nearby institutions, including BYU, Idaho State, Weber State, Southern Utah and Utah State.
Tavian Tuli, Colorado Springs, Colo., LB
Tuli will come to Northern Colorado as a general athlete who can play offense or defense. Lamb said Tuli could play at multiple positions, including QB.
During his time at FountainFort Carson High School, he racked up 4,515 passing yards, averaging 115 yards per game. Tuli contributed 50 TDs, including 22 in his senior season. He rushed for another 1,038 yards and 12 TDs.
Tuli received 5A Southern Conference Offensive Player of the Year, All-Conference first team and All-State academic awards. He played volleyball for the school, as well.
Jackson Smith, Centennial, Colo., K/P
Smith joins the UNC roster after spending time at Arapahoe High School, playing in the same position.
He finished the 2022 season with 2,145 kickoff yards and 1,031 punt yards. Twenty-five kickoffs were for touchbacks, averaging 55 yards per kickoff, and he averaged 35.6 yards per punt.
Smith finished 19-of-21 on PATs and 11-of-19 on field goals. His longest field goal was 49 yards.
Kaiden Box, Longmont, Colo., QB
Box decided to continue his career at UNC after playing in the backfield for Skyline High School, leading them to the 4A Playoffs in the fall.
He recorded 3,207 yards and 33 touchdowns. Nearly 2,200 yards and 24 TDs came in his senior season.
The incoming rookie averaged 181 yards per game this fall. Additionally, Box went 230of-447 on pass completions and threw 11 interceptions in his career. He added one rushing TD and 34 yards last season.
Brody Bliek, Castle Rock, Colo., DL
Bliek comes to UNC after playing football and running track at Valor Christian. On defense, he did a little of everything. Bliek finished with 114 total tackles and 49 in his senior season.
Then, he added 15 tackles for loss, with half of them taking place in the fall, and his pressure on the opposing QB proved effective, as well. The signee recorded 4.5 sacks for a loss of 32 yards. Bliek also blocked a field goal once.
Bliek was a key figure during the team’s championship run. It finished runner-up to Cherry Creek High School.
Braylen Warren, Englewood, Colo., CB
Warren attended Cherry Creek, where he recorded 43 total tackles in his career. He defended five passes and helped the team defeat Valor in the 5A State Championship this fall.
Warren chose UNC over Western Colorado, Emporia State and Black Hills State.
Komari Owens, Aurora, Colo., CB
Owens attended Overland High School, where he played football and ran track.
One of his highlight moments came in September when he recorded a 90-yard kickoff return touchdown.
In his junior season, Owens finished with 154 passing yards and one touchdown. He also caught 22 passes for 274 yards and four TDs according to MaxPreps.
Jace Villers, Pacific, Wash., WR
Villers received an offer from the University of Idaho and was expected to join the Vandals team, but he opted to join the squad in Greeley.
He played at Auburn Riverside High School, where he played at wide receiver and running back. Villers recorded 553 all-purpose yards his senior season, totaling 1,713 APY for his career.
His strength came at the receiver spot, though. He finished high school with 1,522 yards on 102 catches and 22 TDs. His longest grab came in his senior year when he logged a 65-yard reception.
Brayden Munroe, Parker, Colo., WR
Coming out of Chaparral High School, where he played three sports and was a dual threat on the field, Munroe joins the Bears’ new offense. Munroe could play at receiver or quarterback.
During his senior season, the new Bear logged 155 yards on five completions. His most impressive numbers, however, came on the opposite side.
Munroe recorded 2,204 receiving yards on 157 receptions for 26 touchdowns. He added 762 kickoff return yards and 207 punt return yards, giving him a total of nearly 4,000 career APY.
His father was part of the UNC 1996 National Championship team.
Dominic Butts, Johnstown, Colo., DL
Butts, like many of his counterparts, won’t be too far from home when he arrives at UNC.
He played at Severance High School, where he earned 2A Patriot League All-Conference, Conference Co-Lineman of the Year and All-State honors.
Kamron Randell-Taylor, Ontario, Calif., RB
Randell-Taylor is a threestar recruit and easily the most sought-after prospect in the class, choosing UNC over 15 other programs. Several programs that offered him a scholarship included Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Colorado State, Florida State and Oregon.
New UNC assistant Michael Smith recruited Randell-Taylor while Smith was still at Utah Tech and did a majority of the work to get him committed to the Bears.
Andereya Nsubuga Jr., Gilbert, Ariz., DB
Nsubuga, commonly called “Junior,” will come to UNC after playing for Chandler High School. He is a two-star recruit who also received an offer from Big Sky for Portland State.
Nsubuga played on offense in his senior season and on defense his junior season, according to MaxPreps. He recorded 54 receiving yards on seven catches, 14 total tackles and a pass breakup.
Brady Witherspoon, Arvada, Colo., WR Kaleb Quammie, Brighton, Colo., CB
Quammie is another multisport athlete joining the Bears’ 2023 class. He brings experience from track, basketball and rugby to the defense.
Much of his success came on the track, winning five times last season. One of his best races came in the EMAC Championship last May. Quammie ran the 100 meters in 10.99 seconds.
Richard Stallworth, Yuma, Ariz., QB
Stallworth is a two-star recruit who is expected to be a strong competitor in the backfield. He got looks from Montana, Northern Arizona and Harvard.
During his career, the Yuma Catholic QB passed for 12,590 yards — yeah, you read that right — hitting his targets 816 times out of 1,221 tries (67% completion). Stallworth was responsible for 32 touchdowns. He added 257 rushing yards on 122 carries and 14 touchdowns.
Daniel Baker, Marienthal, Kan., OL
Baker is one of the few transfers joining the program under Lamb’s new roster. He comes to Greeley after spending two seasons at Dodge City Community College. Last season, Dodge City recorded 855 rushing yards with the help of the o-line.
At 6-foot-6 and 300 pounds, Baker will bring much-needed size to the Northern Colorado offensive line, which struggled last season with depth.
Julian Lara, Concord, Calif., OL
Northern Colorado added another local talent to its wide receiver room in Witherspoon. The signee recorded 1,170 receiving yards on 66 receptions and 17 TDs in his senior season at Arvada West. Witherspoon’s longest reception was for 90 yards.
Lara is another big transfer who will provide height and weight in an area where the Bears struggled last fall. Like Baker, Lara is 6-foot-5 and more than 300 pounds. He comes to Greeley from Diablo Valley.