PUEBLO, Colo. (July 31, 2026) – The names and faces may look different in several key areas, but the expectations surrounding the Colorado State University Pueblo football team remain unchanged entering the 2026 season.

The ThunderWolves return to the field as the two-time defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions, carrying a program standard built around daily improvement, physical preparation and an unrelenting pursuit of championships.

CSU Pueblo must replace significant production following graduation and departures via the transfer portal, including its starting quarterback (Roman Fuller), its starting running back (Kiahn Martinez), its top two tight ends (Seth Bozzi and Tyler Dvorak), three of its top five receivers (Reggie Retzlaff, Zack Rakowsky and Andrew Cook), all five starting offensive linemen (Tyler Ethridge, Arthur Braach, Domingo Prince II, Jaiden Jones and Preston Jarvis), and several experienced defensive backs (Keith Mckaney, Jr., Jaylen Shaw, and Peyton Shaw). Yet fourth-year head coach Philip Vigil believes the offseason response from his team has provided an encouraging indication of what lies ahead.

The ThunderWolves have approached those changes with one of the most productive summers of Vigil's tenure.

"Our attendance has been tremendous this summer," Vigil said. "Our director of sports performance, Coach (Rashad) Harris, said that, by far, in his four years here, this is the most well-attended summer that we've ever had, and it has also had the most energy."

That energy has been driven by a roster eager to prove that CSU Pueblo can continue winning despite the offseason roster turnover.

"One thing you notice about this team is that they're hungry," Vigil said. "They feel like they have something to prove. We understand that everything we've gotten since we've been here, we've worked for, and everything we're going to get, we're going to work for. They understand that we have to work to accomplish some of the things we have set out in front of us, and they've been doing that all summer long."

Building Brotherhood Through Change
Roster movement has become an unavoidable reality in modern college football, and CSU Pueblo was not immune following another championship season.

Rather than dwelling on the players who departed, Vigil and his staff have concentrated on developing those who remained, recruiting the right additions and building chemistry among newcomers.

"This is the age of college football that we're in," Vigil said. "Realistically, your best underclassmen are going to get plucked, and you're going to lose some guys that maybe you didn't plan on losing and maybe some guys that you did plan on losing.

"For us as coaches, we can do one of two things. We can bury our heads in the sand and say, 'Woe is me,' or we can embrace it, help guys, develop guys and recruit because of that. We've chosen the latter."

Vigil believes CSU Pueblo's ability to identify and develop players remains one of the program's greatest strengths.

"We embrace the fact that we find some diamonds in the rough," Vigil said. "We develop them. We give them opportunities to chase their dreams, and we get a better quality player out of high school because of that."

With so many players stepping into new roles, Vigil said the most important work has extended beyond learning assignments and mastering schemes.

"When you have that much turnover, you really have to focus on how you create a brotherhood and how you create a bond," Vigil said. "The cultural piece, to me, is one of the most important pieces.

"Guys tend to want to jump to X's and O's and getting everybody caught up. For us, it's about how we create an unbreakable bond. How do we break down barriers and walls? How do we create an environment where guys want to show up in the building every day, not because of their own success, but because they want the guy next to them to be successful?"

That approach has helped CSU Pueblo sustain success through multiple roster cycles.

"If you identify the right people in the transfer portal and the right people in high school recruiting, you're going to have an opportunity to sustain success," Vigil said. "That's what we've done since we've been here, and sustaining success is much harder than achieving success."

Quarterback Competition Takes Center Stage
The most closely watched competition entering fall camp will be at quarterback.

CSU Pueblo must replace its two-year starting signal-caller, Roman Fuller, leaving sophomore returner Cam McGuire (Dallas, Texas/Woodrow Wilson), and a sophomore transfer Evan Powell (San Bernardino, Calif./Chaffey College), as the top two preseason contenders for the job. Other quarterbacks listed on the 2026 preseason roster are freshman Kellen Behrendsen (Littleton, Colo./Dakota Ridge), sophomore Navi Bruzon (Peoria, Ariz./Highland CC), redshirt freshman Gavin Ishmael (Frederick, Colo./Frederick) and redshirt freshman Jaxon Knutson (Tempe, Ariz./McClintock).

Junior wide receiver Marcellus Honeycutt, Jr. (Aurora, Colo./Eastern Washington) said both quarterbacks have used the spring and summer to establish timing and chemistry with the receiving corps.

"During the spring and summer, it's been pretty good," Honeycutt said. "We have Cam (McGuire), who was the backup last year, and then we brought in a transfer, E.P. Getting that chemistry down through the spring and summer with those guys has been very good."

Honeycutt understands the decision will be made during camp, but his responsibility remains the same regardless of who earns the job.

"I can't say right now who's going to be the starter, but my job as a receiver is that it doesn't matter who's at quarterback," Honeycutt said. "My job is to catch the ball no matter what."

Vigil believes the ThunderWolves have multiple capable options.

"We've got some guys battling to be the guy to throw the football," Vigil said. "But we've got some very capable guys in there who can get our receivers the football."

Honeycutt Steps Into Featured Role
Whichever quarterback wins the job will have one of the RMAC's most explosive returning receivers at his disposal.

Honeycutt, who was named a Preseason All-RMAC selection, caught 29 passes for 564 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 19.4 yards per reception. He became increasingly influential as the season progressed. With several veteran receivers no longer on the roster, he will be counted upon to provide production and leadership.

"Marcellus is an unbelievable player, and he's an unbelievable person," Vigil said. "He's a guy who is going to lead by example. He doesn't say much, but he always has a smile on his face, and I'm really excited to watch him continue to develop."

Vigil said Honeycutt's confidence grew noticeably during the second half of last season.

"As the season went on in 2025, he just got better and better and better," Vigil said. "The more confidence he had, the better he played. Realistically, those last three games that we won in the regular season don't happen without No. 10 out there. I think he is primed to have a great junior year."

Honeycutt knows the receiving corps will need to replace several important contributors, including two-time All-American Reggie Retzlaff, Zack Rakowsky and Andrew Cook.

"We lost some key pieces in the receiver room," Honeycutt said. "But we brought in some new guys. You still have me, you still have DTA (Dedrek Taylor-Akins), and we're just going to keep moving forward. There's really nothing more to it than continuing to get better every single day."

Vigil expects the offense to make Honeycutt a consistent priority.

"We have capable guys who can get him the football," Vigil said, "and we're going to do that as many times as we possibly can."

In addition to Honeycutt, who is one of the team's two returning starters, the other returning starter on offense is senior receiver Dedrek Taylor-Akins (Fontana, Calif./Northeastern State). Last season, Taylor-Akins caught 35 passes for 514 yards, averaged 14.7 yards per reception and ranked second on the team with seven touchdown catches.

Running Back Room Offers Depth and Versatility
While quarterback and offensive line will feature competition, the running back room may be the deepest position on the roster.

Vigil described the group as the most talented collection of running backs his staff has coached at CSU Pueblo.

"As we enter the 2026 season, I look at the running back room as a whole, and I think it's the most talented room we've ever had since we've been here," Vigil said. "We've had some really talented backs in that room."

The ThunderWolves return sophomore Russell Patton (Denver, Colo./Dr. MLK Jr. Early College) and senior Moosah Alsaffar (Aurora, Colo./Grandview) while adding several players capable of contributing immediately.

Last season, Patton carried the ball 92 times for 533 yards and averaged 5.8 yards per carry and had six rushing touchdowns, while Alsaffar carried the ball 39 times for 199 yards and averaged 5.1 yards per carry and had two rushing scores.

During the offseason, CSU Pueblo signed Cal Poly transfer and redshirt freshman Jaedon Matthews (Goodyear, Ariz./Cal Poly), a highly recruited player coming out of high school, as well as former Adams State running back and sophomore Ahmere Merrida (Houston, Texas/Adams State).

"We signed (Jaedon) Matthews, who had schools like Oregon and Arizona State recruiting him out of high school," Vigil said. "He's going to be a force for people to reckon with.

"We also signed (AJ) Merrida, who was realistically an all-conference back at Adams State, and we're excited about him."

Another top running back candidate this season is redshirt freshman Caleb Llamas (Centennial, Colo./Grandview), who also impressed the coaching staff during the offseason.

"We have a freshman who we think is going to be really, really special," Vigil said. "Caleb Llamas is a redshirt freshman who has had a great summer."

Patton is expected to take another step in his development, while Alsaffar provides experience and stability.

"Patton is somebody we expect to have a great year," Vigil said. "Alsaffar is going to be a senior and is a glue guy for us in that room."

The abundance of options gives the ThunderWolves flexibility but also presents the coaching staff with a welcome challenge.

"The thing Coach (Jordan) Dodge is going to have on his plate is figuring out how to keep everybody happy," Vigil said, "because we have a lot of guys who realistically deserve the ball."

New-Look Offensive Line Embraces Opportunity
The offensive line represents the largest rebuilding project on the team.

All five starters from the 2025 group are gone following graduation or transfer-portal departures. Even so, Vigil believes the new unit possesses the talent and work ethic to surprise people.

"It's always hard when you're replacing all five up front," Vigil said. "I don't know if I've ever done that before."

Although the projected starters lack extensive starting experience, several have spent considerable time in the program and have played meaningful snaps.

"We've got some veterans in there who have been around the block but just weren't the guy yet," Vigil said. "Now they have an opportunity to do that, and they're taking it by the reins and running with it."

Vigil expressed confidence in both the players and in offensive coaches Jordan Dodge and Neal Davis, who will oversee the unit's development

"I have a lot of confidence in the guys we have in that room, and I have a lot of confidence in Coach (Neal) Davis and Coach (Jordan) Dodge to get those guys moving in the right direction," Vigil said.

The head coach believes the unit's ceiling may be higher than expected.

"We do not have the experience up front that the last offensive line had, but I think we have an opportunity to be better up front than we were last year," Vigil said. "These guys play extremely hard. They understand what it takes, and they've been through the wringer a little bit."

Honeycutt has also noticed the line's growth.

"They've been meshing together really well," Honeycutt said. "A lot of the guys are young, but the coaches have been getting them right. I wouldn't say they're being thrown into the fire, because they've had time to grow. It's been good seeing them develop."

Defensive Standard Remains the Same
CSU Pueblo also faces substantial turnover defensively, particularly in a secondary that lost several senior starters.

The ThunderWolves return four defensive starters, including junior defensive lineman A.J. Jordan (Colorado Springs, Colo./Vista Ridge), who believes offseason attendance and effort have helped prepare younger players for expanded responsibilities.

The other returning starters on defense are sophomore defensive back Johnathan Gonzales (Pueblo, Colo./Pueblo County), senior defensive tackle Micah Lutu (Kalihi, Hawai'i/Saguaro) and senior safety Kahden Rullo (Denver, Colo./Grandview), who was named to the Preseason All-RMAC Team.

"We've had almost every guy there every day for summer workouts," Jordan said. "These young guys coming up are ready to step up. They're dedicated, and they've been grinding their butts off this whole time."

The returning veterans have embraced greater leadership responsibilities.

"The four returners that we have are ready to step further into our leadership roles," Jordan said. "We have to bring the young guys along; make sure we gel as a group and make sure we can become one cohesive unit."

Behbahani Provides Continuity at Defensive Coordinator
The ThunderWolves enter the season with Neema Behbahani serving as defensive coordinator after previously coaching the linebackers.

For Jordan, that internal promotion has allowed the defense to retain its terminology, scheme and aggressive identity.

"We lost our defensive coordinator, but the standard hasn't changed at all," Jordan said. "It's still the same standard of causing havoc. Our new defensive coordinator was our linebackers coach, so there hasn't been any new learning that we've had to go through. It's still the same scheme. Everything is basically the same, so we'll be able to play fast and hit the ground running."

Jordan said the defense progressed throughout spring practice and continued building momentum during summer workouts.

"Throughout the spring, into the summer and going into fall camp, we're moving full speed," he said.

Vigil has complete confidence in Behbahani, who has been on the CSU Pueblo staff since Vigil arrived in 2023.

"Coach Behbahani is one of the brightest young coaches I've ever been around," Vigil said. "He sees the game in a way that I wish I could see it."

Vigil said Behbahani's ability to diagnose offensive tendencies has consistently impressed the staff.

"He's like Rain Man sometimes on Saturdays," Vigil said. "He'll call out exactly what the offense is going to do, and lo and behold, they do exactly what he says. It's really impressive.

"I'm excited to have him take over and take the reins. I know he's going to put our guys in great positions to be successful."

In addition to Behbahani being named the new defensive coordinator, other additions to the Pack's defensive staff include Ben WooChing as defensive line coach and special teams coordinator, Jake Johnson as a defensive assistant coach and special teams analyst, Thomas Pearson as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, and former Pack player Kellen Curtis as cornerbacks coach.

Defensive Front Intends to Keep Causing Havoc
The ThunderWolves have built their defensive reputation around pressure, disruption and physical play at the line of scrimmage.

Although the defensive line lost multiple contributors, Jordan believes the next wave is ready to create its own identity.

"Every year, your team is never the same," Jordan said. "I could say we're trying to replicate what we did, but really, every year we have to do better and do our own thing."

Jordan highlighted junior defensive tackle Ian Ortiz (Deming, N.M./Deming) as one of the players poised for a larger role following an impressive finish to the 2025 season.

"The way Ian ended the season, if that's any indication of how he's going to play for the rest of his career, it's exciting," Jordan said. "He played a great game against UTPB and in the conference championship against Chadron State."

Senior defensive lineman Jaylen Booth (Merced, Calif./Merced CC) is expected to provide another productive presence on the edge, while Lutu offers dependability and experience along the defensive line.

"Jaylen (Booth) is a great defensive end playing on the other side of me," Jordan said. "Micah (Lutu) is a senior and has always been a great guy you can lean on. You know he's going to get the job done."

The ThunderWolves also added experienced transfers in junior defensive lineman Esaias Swindle (Phoenix, Ariz./Eastern New Mexico) and senior defensive lineman DJ Moore (Carlsbad, N.M./Eastern New Mexico), both of whom previously competed in the Lone Star Conference.

"We brought in some key transfers who were all-conference guys in the Lone Star Conference," Jordan said. "Esaias (Swindle) and DJ (Moore) from Eastern New Mexico are dogs."

Another key newcomer on the defensive line is junior Mario Rivas, Jr. (Long Beach, Calif./Bakersfield College), who has also earned Jordan's respect through his relentless effort.

"He may be a little undersized, but he has a crazy motor," Jordan said. "He plays his heart out every play."

Jordan believes that collective work ethic will allow the defensive front to remain one of the team's strengths.

"When you're surrounded by guys who love the grind, who are there every day, who want to build chemistry and who want to be their best, you're able to play in a flow state," Jordan said. "You're not worried about whether we're going to have the same pressure as last year. I'm very confident that this will be another great year for us pressure-wise."

Jordan Grows Into Leadership Role
Jordan's development has extended far beyond his on-field production.

Vigil said the defensive lineman has transformed physically, mentally and emotionally since joining the program.

"All A.J. has done since he's been here is find ways to get better," Vigil said. "He has physically developed tremendously. I bet he has gained 40 pounds since he's been here. He's 260 pounds right now and does not look like it. He's very well put together."

More importantly, Vigil has watched Jordan mature into a leader.

"He has grown tremendously on the football field, but even more so off the field," Vigil said. "He's starting to mature and take ownership of a leadership role that he's been thrust into, and he's not shying away from it."

Vigil praised both Jordan and Honeycutt for the examples they have set.

"I'm really proud of both of those guys and their growth, not only as football players, but also as people," Vigil said. "I'm excited to watch them play on Saturdays this year."

Special Teams Return Valuable Experience
While other units undergo transitions, CSU Pueblo returns proven experience throughout its special-teams operation.

Jackson Smith (Centennial, Colo./Santa Barbara City College), a Preseason All-RMAC kicker and 2025 Don Hansen Division II Football Gazette Honorable Mention All-American, headlines the group after establishing himself as one of the conference's most dependable specialists.

Last season, Smith, who was a three-time RMAC Special Teams Player of the Week, led the league in field goal percentage (76.2 percent) and field goals per game (1.6) and was second in kicking points per game (9.4). He tallied 94 points, converting all 46 extra point attempts and was 16-for-21 on field goals attempts, including making a school-record 60-yard field goal at New Mexico Highlands. Those 16 field goals were fourth most in a season in school history. 

"The kicking game is extremely important every year," Vigil said. "Whether it's punting, kickoffs, field goals or PATs, it can make games or break games, as we've seen both unfortunately and fortunately."

Vigil believes Smith can rank among the nation's elite.

"I have a lot of confidence in Jackson," Vigil said. "Realistically, he has earned the opportunity, in my opinion, to be one of the best kickers in Division II.

"Whenever he goes onto the football field, we believe we have an opportunity to change a game and put points on the board. He has had a great summer and has been here all summer."

The ThunderWolves also return two long snappers who will compete during fall camp. The returning long snappers are junior Owen Morgan (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward Central Catholic) and redshirt senior Brayden Starmer (Mesa, Ariz./Western New Mexico), who earned Honorable Mention All-RMAC honors in 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Special teams will remain an avenue for players to earn roster spots and travel opportunities.

"Special teams have always been an emphasis since we've been here, and it's going to continue to be an emphasis," Vigil said. "Realistically, it's going to be the difference for a lot of guys in whether they make the bus or not."

Vigil has never hesitated to use starters in the kicking game.

"We're going to put our best players on teams," he said. "There are certain positions where, if they're not a core-four special-teams guy, they're not going to make the bus. When you have a roster as talented as ours, you're going to find any way you can to get on the bus."

Preseason Recognition Does Not Alter the Process
CSU Pueblo enters 2026 as the preseason favorite in the RMAC after winning consecutive conference championships.

The recognition is appreciated, but the ThunderWolves understand it is based on past accomplishments and guarantees nothing once the season begins.

"It's an honor to be recognized and picked first," Vigil said. "But the preseason, as you know, does not matter. The only one that matters is the team that can size up a ring at the end of the year."

The ThunderWolves have earned those rings in each of the past two seasons, but Vigil has made sure his players understand that championships are never inherited.

"Winning a championship is first and foremost not easy, and it's not a right," Vigil said. "You have to earn it. Our guys have earned it over the last two years, and we're planning on doing the same thing in our offseason and during fall camp."

The goal is not to duplicate past seasons play for play. It is to repeat the habits that made those seasons successful.

"We're not trying to replicate the results," Vigil said. "We're trying to replicate the process because the process is what has given us the results.

"Our main focus is how we continue to replicate the process that produces those things. If we can do that, I think we've done a good enough job recruiting and putting the right talent in the right places that we'll have an opportunity to accomplish some of those goals."

Vigil's message remains centered on incremental progress.

"The goal is to find a way, as I always say, to get one percent better and focus on our process of daily improvement," he said. "If we can do that, we're going to have a chance to accomplish any goal we want."

He also understands the margin for error in the RMAC remains small.

"This league is very talented," Vigil said. "There are a lot of really good teams in this league, and if you don't show up with your best foot forward, you may not come out with a victory."

Winning Is the Standard
The players share Vigil's perspective on the program's expectations.

For Jordan, pursuing an RMAC championship was part of the message from the moment he was recruited to CSU Pueblo.

"When I was getting recruited to come to Pueblo, winning the conference was the standard," Jordan said. "It's really cool for a lot of schools to win a conference championship, but for us, it was like, 'That's what we do.' Upholding that standard and winning is something we want to do every year because that's part of our program."

Honeycutt said that expectation was established during his first team meeting.

"When I came in, that was instilled from the first day," Honeycutt said. "Winning the conference is the standard. There's nothing more to it.

"We want to take everything one step at a time, but there's never too much pressure. We know what our standard is, and we know what we have to do."

That combination of confidence and discipline will define the ThunderWolves as they prepare for another season.

There are positions to settle, roles to establish and chemistry to develop. There are championship players to replace and new leaders who must emerge.

Yet CSU Pueblo's formula remains familiar.

Build the brotherhood. Trust the process. Improve one percent each day.

Then earn the right to compete for another championship.           

Vigil's fourth Pack team opens practice on Monday, Aug. 3 and kicks off its 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27, hosting Central Missouri under the lights at the ThunderBowl on Red Out Night. Kickoff for the season opener is scheduled for 6 p.m.