BASEBALL ALUMS IN THE PROS | CURRENT PRO BASKETBALL PLAYERS | CURRENT PRO SOCCER PLAYERSÂ | FORMER PRO BASKETBALL PLAYERS | FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYERS | SIGNED PRO FOOTBALL CONTRACT | OTHERS
Colorado State University-Pueblo athletics has a rich tradition of its former student-athletes playing professionally. CSU-Pueblo alums have made it to the highest levels, boasting numerous professionals in football, baseball, soccer and basketball.
Below are listings of former professionals who were CSU-Pueblo student-athletes. For a list of baseball alums in the pros, click here.
If you have a name of another CSU-Pueblo/University of Southern Colorado/Southern Colorado State College/Pueblo Junior College alum who played professional athletics at any level, please submit that person's name to sports information director Ben Greenberg at ben.greenberg@csupueblo.edu and get them included on this list.
To learn more about the careers of ThunderWolves in the pros, click on their names.
Current Pro Basketball Players
| NAME |
YEARS AT CSUP |
ORGANIZATION (League) |
| Damon Williams |
1996-98 |
KTP Basket Kotka (Finland), 2008-12; Pyrinto Tampere (Finland), 2007-08, 09; Pallalcesto Udine (Italian), 2006-07; Pallacanestro Biella (Italian), 2005-06; Scandone Avellino (Italian), 2004-05; Robur Osimo (Italian), 2003-04; Progresso Castelmaggiore (Italian), 2002-03; Albacomp (Hungary), 2001-02; Pyrbasket (Finland), 1999-2001. |
| Jamar Brown |
2000-02 |
Springfield Armor (NBA D-League), 2009-Pres.; Colorado 14ers (NBA D-League), 2008-09 |
Current Pro Football Players
| NAME |
YEARS AT CSUP |
ORGANIZATION (League) |
| Mike Pennel |
2013 |
Green Bay Packers (National Football League), 2014, 2015, 2016; active roster |
| Ryan Jensen |
2009-12 |
Baltimore Ravens (National Football League), 2013, 2014 (Practice Squad, Actice Roster), 2015 and 2016 (Active Roster) (Drafted in the 6th round of the 2013 NFL Draft) |
| Morgan Fox |
2012-15 |
Los Angeles Rams (National Football League), 2016 (signed to practice squad, promoted to active roster) (Signed an undrated free agent contract) |
| C.J. Roberts |
2010-14 |
Winnepeg Blue Bombers (Canadian Football League), 2016 active roster; Tampa Bay Buccaneers (National Football League), offseason roster 2016; Arizona Cardinals (National Football League), Training Camp 2015 (Signed an undrafted free agent contract) |
| Darius Allen |
2011-14 |
BC Lions (Canadian Football League), 2016 active roster; Baltimore Ravens (National Football League), signed undrafted free agent contract in 2015 |
| Kieren Duncan |
2011-15 |
Winnepeg Blue Bombers (Canadian Football League), 2016 practice squad; Chicago Bears (National Football League), 2016 Training Camp (Signed undrafted free agent contract after successful Rookie Mini-Camp Tryout) |
| Paul Browning |
2010-14 |
Orlando Predators (Arena Football League), 2016 roster; Carolina Panters (National Football League), 2015 Training Camp; Cleveland Browns (National Football League), 2015 offseason roster (Signed undrafted free agent contract after successful Rookie Mini-Camp Tryout) |
| Chase Vaughn |
2008-09
|
Denver Broncos Training Camp, 2013 and 2014, Spokane Shock (Arena Football League), 2013; Las Vegas Locos (United Football League), 2012; Calgary Stampeders (Canadian Football League), 2012 (Training Camp); Las Vegas Locos (United Football League), 2011 (Training Camp), Colorado Ice (Indoor Football League), 2011. |
| Augustine Agyei |
2009 |
Colorado Ice (Indoor Football League), 2012-13; Utah Blaze (Arena Football League), 2012; Cincinnati Bengals (Rookie Minicamp), 2010.
 |
Former Pro Soccer Players
| NAME |
YEARS AT CSUP |
ORGANIZATION (League) |
| Ryan Creager |
2003-06 |
Denver Dynamite (Professional Arena Soccer League), 2008-09; Colorado Rush (PASL), Colorado Springs Blizzard (USL), Utah Salt Ratz (MPSL). Member of 2008 United States Arena Soccer National Team |
Former Pro Basketball Players
| NAME |
YEARS AT CSUP |
ORGANIZATION (League) |
| Bob Warlick |
1961-63 |
Los Angeles Stars (ABA), 1969-70; Phoenix Suns (NBA), 1968-69; Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), 1968-69; San Francisco Warriors (NBA), 1966-68; Detroit Pistons (NBA), 1965-66. |
| John Smith |
1964-68 |
New York Nets (ABA), 1969-70; Pittsburgh Pipers (ABA), 1969-70; Dallas Chapparals (ABA), 1968-70. (Drafted in 8th round of 1968 NBA Draft by Los Angeles Lakers). |
| Cal Tatum |
1969-73 |
Denver Rockets (ABA). Drafted by Carolina Cougars (ABA) in 1973 ABA Supplementary Draft. |
| Brian Hochevar |
1974-78 |
Denver Nuggets (NBA). Signed free agent contract, released before 1979 season. |
| Randy Johnson |
1979-81 |
Drafted in 7th round of 1981 NBA Draft by Los Angeles Clippers. Played for the Montana Golden Nuggets in the Continental Basketball League. |
| Chris Childress |
2006-08 |
Sioux Falls Skyforce (NBA D-League), 2008-09. |
Former Pro Football Players
| NAME |
YEARS AT CSUP |
ORGANIZATION (League) |
| Frank Grant |
1968-71 |
Washington Redskins (NFL) 1973-78; Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL), 1978. (Drafted in 13th round of 1972 NFL Draft by Washington). |
| Craig Ward |
1979-82 |
Michigan Panthers (USFL), 1983 |
| Mark DeRose |
1981-82 |
Denver Gold (USFL), 1983. |
| Dan DeRose |
1981-83 |
New York Giants (NFL), 1987. Replacement Player during 1987 NFL Players' Strike. Was Giants' defensive captain. Signed as free agent by Denver Broncos (NFL) in 1983, did not play. |
| John Trahan |
1981-84 |
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), 1987. Replacement player during 1987 NFL Players' Strike. |
| Herman Heard |
1982-83 |
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), 1984-89. (Drafted in 3rd round of 1984 NFL Draft by Kansas City) |
| Joe Taibi |
1982-84 |
New York Giants (NFL), 1987. Replacement Player during 1987 NFL Players' Strike. |
| Myron Jefferson |
1984-87 (Track) |
Albany Firebirds (Arena Football League), 1991-93. |
Drafted/Signed Pro Football Contract - Did not play
| NAME |
YEARS AT CSUP |
ORGANIZATION (League) |
| Marty Collins |
1963-65 |
Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL), 1966 |
| Jim Cain |
1963-66 |
New York Jets (NFL), 1970-71 (on practice squad) |
| Dan Cholas |
1964-65 |
Denver Broncos (NFL), 1966 |
| Glen Printers |
1973-74 |
Dallas Cowboys (NFL), 1975. (Drafted by San Diego Chargers in 13th round of 1975 NFL Draft). |
| Alan Webster |
1971-74 |
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), 1975 |
| Del Bishop |
1971-73 |
Seattle Seahawks (NFL), 1976 |
| Mike Reppa |
1972-73 |
Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), 1974 |
| Mick McCall |
1975-78 |
Detroit Lions (NFL), 1979 |
| Mitch Johnson |
1974-77 |
Atlanta Falcons (NFL), 1978; Denver Broncos (NFL), 1979; Denver Gold (USFL), 1983 |
| Scott Gallas |
1977-80 |
Houston Oilers (NFL), 1981 |
| Bill Gower |
1977-80 |
Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), 1981 |
| Bart Stevens |
1978-81 |
Denver Dynamite (Arena Football League), 1987. Invited to join team during first season of AFL. |
| Rich Perea |
1979-82 |
Denver Broncos (NFL), 1983 |
| John Wristen |
1980-83 |
Denver Broncos (NFL), 1983 |
| Jeff England |
1980-83 |
Dallas Cowboys (NFL), 1983; Miami Dolphins (NFL), 1984. (Drafted in 1984 USFL Draft by Oklahoma Outlaws) |
| Dan DeRose |
1981-83 |
Denver Broncos (NFL), 1983 |
| Jeff Patterson |
1982-83 |
Denver Broncos (NFL), 1984 |
| Augustine Agyei |
2009 |
Cincinnati Bengals (NFL), 2010 (Rookie Minicamp) |
| Lee Meisner |
2008-11 |
Atlanta Falcons (NFL), 2012 (Training Camp Signee) |
Others
Professional Official: Ken Franek (men's basketball, 1982-85) - umpired baseball from 1986-95 in Northwest League (1986), California League (1987-88), Carolina League (1989-90), and Pacific Coast League (1991-95).
Professional Official: Steve "Red" Morrow (baseball, 1981-84) - minor league umpire
Football
Ayrius Justin 2008-2009 - Houston Texans 2010 (Rookie Mini Camp), Wyoming Cavalry 2011-2012 (Indoor Football League), Arizona Rattlers 2012-2013 (Arena Football League), Bloomington Edge 2016-2017 (Indoor Football League)
Marcial Williamson 2008-2012 - Kiel Baltic Hurricanes 2013 (German Football League) Kristiansand Gladiators 2014 (Norwegian Football League), Vantaa Taft 2015 (Maple League of Finland)
Colin Clancy- 2009 - Moenchengladbach Mavericks 2010-2011 (German Football League), Utah Blaze 2012 (Arena Football League)
Jesse Lewis- 2008-2012- Raiffeisen Vikings 2013-2014 (Austria Football League), Colorado Ice 2015 (Indoor Football League) Frankfurt Universe 2016 (German Football League).
Cody Wood - 2001-2005 (Baseball) - Boise Burn 2007 (Arena Football 2 League), Colorado Ice 2008-2009 (Indoor Football League)
Johnny Wood- 2009 (Former CSUP Football Player)Â - Wyoming Cavalry 2011-2012 (Indoor Football League) - IFL Offensive & Special Team Rookie of the Year Award in 2011.
Mark Sterling- 2008-2013 - Dodge City Law 2014-2015 (Indoor Football League), Omaha Beef 2016-2017 (Indoor Football League)
