CLEVELAND BROWNS RELEASE
PUEBLO, Colo. (May 11, 2015) – Former Colorado State University-Pueblo standout wide receiver Paul Browning (Widefield, Colo.) inked an undrafted free agent contract with the National Football League's Cleveland Browns Monday after a successful appearance at the team's Rookie Mini-Camp.
Browning was one of 50 tryout players and more than 70 total rookies invited to the Brown's Rookie Mini-Camp last weekend. Monday, the NFL organization announced the signing of eight players from the mini-camp to complete their 90-man roster.
"It's been a blessing," Browning said. "It just proves that with the right focus and mindset, mixed with a lot of hard work, you can achieve anything. By no means have I reached my goal. This is only the beginning."
Also, former Pack quarterback Chris Bonner (San Diego, Calif.) will report to the Kansas City Chiefs Friday for the team's Rookie Mini-Camp. Bonner participated in a tryout with the Carolina Panthers last weekend.
The ThunderWolves currently have six players on 90-man NFL rosters. Browning, Darius Allen (Pueblo, Colo.) and C.J. Roberts (Boynton Beach, Fla.) signed undrafted free agent contracts in the last two weeks, while Ryan Jensen (2009-12 – Baltimore) and Mike Pennel (2013 – Green Bay) were already on NFL rosters. Finally, Chase Vaughn (2008-09) signed a future contract with the Broncos, Dec. 29, 2014 and has participated in team activities this offseason.
Chris Bonner CSU-Pueblo Bio
Bonner started and served as captain at The Medal of Honor Bowl, a premier all-star game highlighting some of the nation's top draft-eligible senior college football players in January. Bonner started for the American Team and went 4-for-5 for 44 yards with a long pass of 20 yards
Bonner, a Harlon Hill Candidate (top Division II player) and All-America selection for the Pack in 2013, quarterbacked the ThunderWolves to a 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship. In two seasons and 27 games with CSU-Pueblo, the San Diego, California, native went 483-for-835 (57.8%) for 6,704 yards and 63 touchdowns. He only threw 17 interceptions and posted a 146.11 efficiency rating.
In 2014, Bonner went 258-for-461 (56%) for 3,291 yards and 30 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He was selected to the Beyond Sports Network All-Super Region Four Third Team. He was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week Nov. 1, after going 18-for-21 (85.7%) for 285 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 49-7 victory against Black Hills State University. His 262.57 passing efficiency rating versus BHSU finished ninth in NCAA Division II single-game passing efficiency this season.
Paul Browning CSU-Pueblo Bio
A 2014 BSN Preseason Division II All-America Team member, Browning's senior season was hampered by injury, but he led the receivers in the playoff run to the championship with 23 receptions for 328 yards and four touchdowns. At the conclusion of the season he totaled 41 receptions for 636 yards and six touchdowns in eight games. He averaged 79.5 yards per game and 5.1 yards per reception. His long catch of 82 yards came in a 152-yard, two-touchdown performance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament versus Angelo State. He caught the only touchdown in the national championship game, a leaping 18-yard score with 37 seconds left of the first half.
An all-region performer in 2013, Browning saw action in 44 career games and used them to become the school's record holder in receiving yards with 2,507. He brought down 152 receptions, 24 of which were for touchdowns. He averaged 57.0 yards per game and 3.5 yards per reception.
THE PACK IN 2014
CSU-Pueblo was crowned NCAA Division II National Champions Dec. 20 after defeating then-No. 1 Minnesota State University, Mankato 13-0 at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. The ThunderWolves finished the regular season with a program record 14-1 mark. The Pack earned their fourth consecutive RMAC championship in 2014 with an 8-1 record to share the honor with Colorado School of Mines. The ThunderWolves entered their fourth straight NCAA Playoff appearance as the No. 2 seed in Super Region Four.
After a first round bye, the Pack defeated No. 23 Angelo State University, 52-14. In the quarterfinals, CSU-Pueblo welcomed No. 9 Ohio Dominican University and used a fourth-quarter punt return to record a 31-28 victory and advance to the NCAA Semifinals for the first time in program history and the first time a RMAC team had reached the semifinals in the NCAA Division II Playoffs. The Pack punched their ticket to the national championship game with a 10-7 victory versus No. 25 University of West Georgia in a home game Dec. 13.
The ThunderWolves finished the season with a perfect 6-0 record against nationally ranked opponents and closed the season No. 1 in the American Coaches Association Poll.
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As a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University – Pueblo competes in 22 varsity sports in NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics.
