PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - Feb. 6, 2014) - The Colorado State University-Pueblo football team has announced its high school and junior college signees to its roster for the 2014 season Wednesday, known nationally as "National Signing Day."

A total of 36 players are included in the announcement.

This year, CSU-Pueblo continued to add many of Colorado's top prep athletes to its signing class, but added athletes from such football hotbeds as Arizona, California and Texas as well.  

The Class of 2014 now officially includes 32 high school seniors and National Letter of Intent signees, as well as numerous "institutional letter of intent" signees (not listed).  Three mid-year transfer additions, who have already enrolled at CSU-Pueblo, were also announced as was one junior college transfer, who signed a "Grant in Aid" form on Wednesday, making up today's class announcement of 36 players.

Additionally, if an athlete was listed on any of the three major recruiting websites (Scout.com, Rivals.com, ESPN), that ranking is listed.

Some of the highlights of the Pack's signing class includes three athletes ranked as "two star" recruits by Scout.com in local star Keith Hed (Pueblo West HS), Marcus Culhane (Arvada West HS) and Anthony Reaves (Desert Vista (Ariz.) HS).

"This is a validation of who we are.  We are excited about the players that want to be a part of the elite," head coach John Wristen said.

"When looking for student-athletes, we look for character and that starts with grades," he continued.  "Athletically, we're pleased with this group of players who play at a faster speed and enjoy the game.  This class also has a type of family feel and we're proud to have those family connections.  That makes the Pack strong!" Wristen added.

CSU-Pueblo is coming off its third consecutive undefeated regular season and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship, having made its third straight appearance in the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 2013.  At the conclusion of the 2013 season, CSU-Pueblo ended the ranked seventh in the nation.  The ThunderWolves ended the 2013 season on a 37-game regular season winning streak, which is currently the second-longest in Division II history.

The Pack's Signing Day Central web page can be found by clicking here.  For more information on each athlete, click their name to see their biography.  In some cases, the athlete has an accompanying link to a highlight video. 

OFFENSE

Athlete / Position / Ht/Wt. / Hometown/Previous School

Keaton Brown C/G 6-2/271 Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo East HS

Elijah Cherrington WR 6-4/180 Parker, Colo./Legend HS

Gabe Cirivello OL 6-2/250 Aurora, Colo./Grandview HS

Cole Forsgren WR 6-0/185 Gilbert, Ariz./Williams Field HS

Nick Glenn TE 6-3/230 Arvada, Colo./Arvada West HS

Keith Hed OL 6-7/280 Pueblo West, Colo./Pueblo West HS - (2-Star Ranked by Scout.com)

Tyler Heinsma QB 6-3/200 Grand Junction, Colo./Grand Junction HS

Ezra Maldonado OL 6-7/275 Surprise, Ariz./Valley Vista HS

Alex Martinez OL 6-4/270 Redlands, Calif./Redlands Valley East HS

Bernard McDondle RB 5-9/170 Littleton, Colo./Columbine HS

Grant Neal FB 5-11/215 Parker, Colo./Regis Jesuit HS

Patrick O'Malley FB 6-0/225 Denver, Colo./Cherry Creek HS

Anthony Reaves TE 6-3/220 Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista HS - (2-Star Ranked by Scout.com)

Herman Smith QB 6-5/220 Las Vegas, Nev./Victor Valley (Calif.) CC - (Mid-Year Transfer)

Byron Steele WR 6-5/220 Arlington, Texas Colorado State - (Mid-Year Transfer)

Blake Thomas TE 6-6/240 Bedford, Texas/Cisco JC

AJ Thompson QB 6-1/170 Denver, Colo./Montbello HS

Quinton Walton OL 6-3/250 Grand Junction, Colo./Grand Junction HS

Zach Young RB 5-10/175 Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty HS

DEFENSE

Athlete / Position / Ht/Wt. / Hometown/Previous School

River Addison S 6-0/175 Boulder, Colo./Boulder HS 

Matt Bogans SS 6-0/175 Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty HS

Caleb Creech LB 6-0/195 Kersey, Colo./Platte Valley HS

Marcus Culhane S 6-3/190 Arvada, Colo./Arvada West HS - (2-Star Ranked by Scout.com)

Ikechukwu (Rome) Ihenaju LB 6-0/230 Los Angeles, Calif./West L.A. JC - (Mid-Year Transfer)

Elijah Jeffcoat OLB 6-1/200 Gilbert, Ariz./Williams Field HS

Kevin Meadows DB 6-0/175 Westminster, Colo./Ralston Valley HS

Isaiah Palacio DL 5-11/245 Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo South HS

Brandon Payer LB 6-2/210 Conifer, Colo./Conifer HS

Noor Shongolo DB 6-1/203 Commerce City, Colo./Adams City HS

Deyon Sizer DL 6-3/270 Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest HS

Thomas Thortvedt S 6-0/183 Aurora, Colo./Cherokee Trail HS

Quinn Vandekoppel LB 6-0/225 Castle Rock, Colo./Regis Jesuit HS

Garrett Vidal DE 6-4/205 Castle Rock, Colo./Castle View HS

Cliff Weybrecht S 5-11/190 Gilbert, Ariz./Williams Field HS

Darius Williams DB 6-0/170 Gilbert, Ariz./Williams Field HS

Michael Wristen DL 6-4/215 Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield HS