Baltimore Release

PUEBLO, Colo. (May 4, 2015) ­– Two former Colorado State University-Pueblo football All-Americans took one step closer to their dreams of playing in the National Football League Saturday as Darius Allen (Pueblo, Colo.) and C.J. Roberts (Boynton Beach, Fla.) signed undrafed free agent contracts. Also, three more former Pack players garnered rookie mini-camp invitations over the weekend.

Allen signed as an outside linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens, while Roberts inked a deal as a defense back with the Arizona Cardinals. Both athletes will compete in their respective teams' rookie mini-camps, which start Friday.

Quarterback Chris Bonner (San Diego, Calif.) was invited to participate in the Carolina Panthers Rookie Mini-Camp May 8-9. Josh Bredl (Thornton, Colo.) started his CSU-Pueblo career as a tight end, but was moved to the defensive line where he played three seasons. He will participate in the Green Bay Packers Rookie Mini-Camp this weekend on the defensive line. Finally, Widefield, Colo. native Paul Browning will attend the Cleveland Browns Rookie Mini-Camp Friday as a wide receiver.

"It meant the world to me to sign with my favorite team growing up" Allen said. "I know it was God's plan all along. It's just that much more exciting to know I'll be playing with a guy (Ryan Jensen) that I came in as a freshman in college, competing with and growing up with. We are both so blessed to be professionals in a sport we love so much. I'm so ready to get to Baltimore to begin the journey of winning Super Bowl 50."

"It's been a long and joyful five years spent at CSU-Pueblo," Roberts said. "Now it's time to pursue my dreams and take it to the next level. I am so blessed, fortunate and thankful to be able to sign with the Arizona Cardinals. I've worked hard for this opportunity to get a shot at the league and being signed is only the beginning of another chapter of my journey. Rookie camp is right around the corner and I can't wait get out there and showcase my talent. My goal is to go out and earn not only a roster spot, but some playing time on the field.

"I want to thank the CSU-Pueblo coaching staff, faculty and fan base for giving me the opportunity to play here, as well as, making me fell at home. I want to give a special thanks to Coach Leo (Donnell Leomiti) and Coach Wardo (Craig Ward) for believing in my dream."

According to BaltimoreRavens.com, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said, "There are players that we will target after the draft that we [think are] draftable players for us that we could have taken if we had a seventh-round pick," Newsome said. "There are still players on our board that we would have drafted."

Allen will join former teammate Ryan Jensen (2009-12), who was drafted in the 6th round of the 2013 NFL Draft by Baltimore. In 2014 he was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster of the Ravens Dec. 16 . The center played in one regular season game and one playoff game in 2014 after being listed on the game-day inactive (foot) list for all 16 games as a rookie in 2013. 

Bredl may also cross paths with a former teammate, as Mike Pennel (2013) was signed by Green Bay as a non-drafted free agent May 12, 2014. He earned a spot on the 53-man roster following training camp. He played in 13 regular season games last season and two playoff games for the Packers. The defensive tackle totaled eight tackles (seven solo) in his rookie season. 

Jensen and Pennel are two of just seven former players to play a down in the NFL.

Chase Vaughn (2008-09) signed a future contract with the Broncos, Dec. 29, 2014. Vaughn signed with the NFL organization in May (2014) after a successful 3-day rookie mini-camp, earning a spot on the 90-man off-season roster. He was cut from the Broncos in August (2014) after an injury-riddled training camp. 

Darius Allen CSU-Pueblo Bio

Allen has earned All-American accolades from six different outlets this season to highlight a long list of awards, including Associate Press Little All-America Team, Daktronics Ron Lenz National Player of the Year, Daktronics First-Team All America, Cliff Harris Small College Defensive Player of the Year, Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year (second consecutive year), American Football Coaches Association All-America, D2Football.com Defenesive Player of the Year, D2Footbal.com All-America First Team, Don Hansen NCAA Division II Defensive Player of the Year, Don Hansen All-America First Team, Beyond Sports Network All-America First Team, BSN All-Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year, BSN All-Super Region Four First Team, Daktronics All-Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year, Daktronics All-Region First Team, Don Hansen Super Region Four Defensive Player of the Year and First Team Defense, National Footbal Foundation Colorado Chapter Defensive Player of the Year and All-NFFCC First Team, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-RMAC First Team Defense. Allen was named RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and earned RMAC Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 15.

Allen finished the regular season with nine sacks (-42 yards) to rank second in the RMAC, while his 14 tackles for loss (-54 yards) ranked fifth in the league. He totaled 43 tackles (22 solo), forced three fumbles (T-2nd in RMAC) and recovered two fumbles (T-8th in RMAC). The senior also added a pass break-up. He totaled five or more tackles six times in 2014. Allen recorded 3.5 sacks (-11 yards) at Sam Houston State University and three sacks (-21 yards) at Colorado School of Mines. He guided a ThunderWolves defense that finished first nationally in scoring defense (12.8 ppg) and fourth in team sacks (3.8 spg).

In four postseason games, Allen recorded 29 tackles (17 solo), nine tackles for loss (-47 yards), 6.5 sacks (-40 yards), two forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble.

Nationally, Allen finished 10th in fumbles recovered (3 FR), 12th in sacks (15.5 - 1.03 spg), 15th in forced fumbles (5 - 0.33 ffpg) and 43rd in tackles for loss (23 - 1.5 tflpg).

In 43 career games, Allen totaled 180 tackles (93 solo) with 34.5 sacks (-188 yards) with 58 tackles for loss (274 yards). He added nine forced fumbles with six rumble recoveries.

C.J. Roberts CSU-Pueblo Bio

Roberts earned All-America honors from three publications in 2014 after he recorded 56 total tackles (41 solo). The senior corner pulled down six interceptions (127 return yards) during the regular season to rank second in the RMAC, while completing the season with seven picks (153 return yards) to rank tied for 21st in the nation in interceptions per game (0.5 intpg). Two picks were returned for touchdowns (19- and 60-yard returns). His 153 interception return yards ranked as the eighth most in the nation in 2014. Roberts totaled eight pass breakups, added 4.5 tackles for loss (-17 yards) and one sack (-11 yards). He picked up one fumble recovery.

Roberts earned 2014 AP Little All-America First Team, Daktronics All-America Second Team, D2Football.com All-America Second Team Defense, BSN All-Super Region Four Second Team, NFFCC All-Colorado First Team, a Cliff Harris Small College Defensive Player of the Year Finalist and garnered All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference First Team accolades this season. He also played in a senior all-star game, the College Gridiron Showcase. Roberts was recognized as an all-conference performer three times in his career (2013, 2014 – First Team and 2012 – Second Team). He is a two-time All-American, earning the honor from the AP and Daktronics in 2012.

In career 51 games, Roberts totaled 212 tackles (144 solo) with 14 interceptions (434 yards) and 32 breakups.

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. 

Josh Bredl CSU-Pueblo Bio

Last season Bredl earned All-RMAC Honorable Mention honors after a career-high 24 tackles (21 solo), which included five tackles for loss (24 yards) with four sacks (23 yards). He recovered two fumbles, one of which he returned 66 yards to the end zone at Fort Lewis. Bredl blocked a field goal attempt in the national championship game that would have given the Minnesota State Mavericks a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter. MSU failed to score in the game and Pack were victorious 13-0.

In his career as a defensive lineman, Bredl played 34 games and totaled 58 tackles (32 solo). He posted 8.5 tackles for loss (46 yards), which included six sacks (42 yards). He added two fumble recoveries, which included a return for a touchdown in 2014 and five break-ups.

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.