GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado Mesa football team welcomed 28 new student athletes that signed their financial aid agreements and letters of commitment on Wednesday (Feb. 4) morning beginning at 7am. All 28 student-athletes hail from five states with a majority staying home in Colorado.
Iosefatu Aunese • OL • 5-11 • 290 • Mesa, Ariz. // Red Mountain High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Mountain Lions of Red Mountain High School and coach Kyle Enders...Three-time All-Region selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Education...Son of Katerina and Iose Aunese...Has two siblings, Tala and Ese...Chose CMU for the football program, coaching staff and education program...Enjoys playing video games, rugby and hanging out with family.
Cole Beaty • OL • 6-6 • 285 • Mesa, Ariz. // Red Mountain High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played at Red Mountain High School for coach Kyle Enders...6A All-State Honorable Mention...First Team All-Region selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Exercise Science...Son of Jennifer and Jonathan Bailey...Chose CMU for the coaching staff and physical therapy school.
Nico Benallo • WR • 5-10 • 170 • Arvada, Colo. // Ralston Valley High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Mustangs of Ralston Valley High School and coach Jared Yannacito...Two-time All-State selection...Two-time All-Metro League selection...Two-time Academic All-State...Had 89 catches for 959 yards and 13 touchdowns.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business...Son of Melissa and Tony Benallo...Has one sibling, Anthony...Chose CMU for the coaching staff and campus atmosphere...Enjoys golfing, snowboarding, and playing pickleball.
Dayton Blok • DE • 6-5 • 245 • Pueblo, Colo. // Pueblo Central High School
Carter Calabrese • OL • 6-2 • 265 • Arvada, Colo. // Arvada West High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Wildcats of Arvada West High School and coach Hanna.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business Administration...Son of Angela and Tom Calabrese...Has two siblings, Carlie and Carson...Chose CMU for the atmosphere, the town and coaching staff...Aspires to become a firefighter...Enjoys fishing, hunting, and playing video games.
Harrison Chambers • RB • 5-7 • 170 • Phoenix, Ariz. // Brophy College Prep
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Broncos of Brophy Prep and coach Jason Jewell...Three-time All-Central Region selection...Finished his career with 2,228 rushing yards, 2,648 total yards, and 24 touchdowns...Averaged 6.4 yards per carry during his senior season.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Exercise Science...Son of Alison and Chris Chambers...Has one sibling, Hayes...Chose CMU because it felt like home...Enjoys fishing, eating great food, and working out.
Zach Christie • WR • 6-1 • 205 • Austin, Texas // McNeil High School
Drew Contreras • FB • 6-1 • 225 • Lakewood, Colo. // Green Mountain High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Rams of Green Mountain High School and coach Anthony Rankin...Two-time All-State Honorable Mention...Two-time All-West Metro League selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business...Son of Jaime and Pete Contreras...Has one sibling, Ausitn who also plays football at Colorado Mesa...Chose CMU for the football program and the family connection...Enjoys dirt biking, skiing and board games.
Jevon Davis • DL • 6-1 • 280 • Monument, Colo. // Lewis-Palmer High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Rangers of Lewis-Palmer High School and coach Dustin Tupper...First Team All-Pikes Peak League...3A Defensive Player of the Year.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Kinesiology...Son of Bill and Janice Dahl...Has four siblings, Jordan, Luke, Olivia, and Gabe...Chose CMU for the campus and community support...Enjoys fishing, cooking, and photography.
Jovanee DeHerrera • DL • 6-1 • 245 • Pueblo, Colo. // Pueblo Central High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Wildcats of Pueblo Central High School and coach Kris Cotterman...All-State selection...Three-time All-South Central League selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Kinesiology...Son of Esperansa DeHerrera and Nicholas Cornejo...Chose CMU for the campus and environment...Aspires to become a sports therapist...Enjoys playing video games and going to the gym.
Jamison French • DB • 6-4 • 175 • Loomis, Calif. // Del Oro High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Golden Eagles of Del Oro High School and coach Josh Parry...Second Team All-Sierra Foothills League.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business Administration...Son of Michael and Desarie French...Has two siblings, Jagger and Layla...Brother Jagger wrestles at Cal Poly...Chose CMU for the coaching staff, facilities, and campus...Enjoys wrestling, fishing, and cooking food.
Tyler Glowacz • OL • 6-3 • 275 • Austin, Texas // James Bowie High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Bulldogs of James Bowie High School and coach Jeff Ables...First Team All-District selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business...Son of LuAnn and Mark Glowacz...Has one sibling, Danny...Chose CMU for the coaching staff, location, and campus...Aspires to become an entrepreneur.
Nick Jay • OL • 6-2 • 260 • Littleton, Colo. // Dakota Ridge High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Eagles of Dakota Ridge High School and coach Jeremiah Behrendsen...4A State Champions...Three-time All-South Metro League selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business...Son of Olga and Derek Jay...Has one sibling, Lydia...Chose CMU for the coaching staff and location...Enjoys playing pickleball, lifting weights, and spending time with family.
Troy Johnson • LB • 6-0 • 205 • Colorado Springs, Colo. // Lewis-Palmer High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Rangers of Lewis-Palmer High School and coach Dustin Tupper...All-Pikes Peak League selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Kinesiology...Has one sibling, Leah Young...Chose CMU for the atmosphere and coaching staff...Enjoys fishing, bowling, and hanging out with friends.
Cayden Lee • OL • 6-1 • 260 • Greenwood Village, Colo. // Cherry Creek High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Bruins of Cherry Creek High School and coach Dave Logan...Three-time 5A State Champions...All-Centennial League selection...Two-time Academic All-State.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Civil Engineering...Son of Shane and Nicole Lee...Has one sibling, Carson who played football at West Virginia...Chose CMU for the football program and coaching staff...Enjoys golfing, fishing, and camping.
Tysen Logan • OL • 6-4 • 285 • Monument, Colo. // Lewis-Palmer High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Rangers of Lewis-Palmer High School and coach Dustin Tupper.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Radiology...Son of Nedjet Fenix...Has three siblings, Jaylynd, Gabriel and River...Chose CMU for the coaching staff and location...Enjoys fishing, bowling and the outdoors.
Zach Lucero • TE • 6-3 • 230 • Chandler, Ariz. // Basha High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Bears of Basha High School and coach Chris McDonald...Open Division State Champions.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business Finance...Son of Richard and Amanda Lucero...Has three siblings, Alexis, Rich and Savanna...Brother Rich plays football and Augustana...Chose CMU for the athletic and academic opportunities along with the campus...Enjoys playing video games and working out.
Chester Matthews • K/P • 6-0 • 165 • Pueblo, Colo. // Pueblo West High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Cyclones of Pueblo West High School and coach Clint Buderus...Two-time All-State selection...4A Southern Colorado Special Teams Player of the Year...4A All-Southern Colorado League selection...Made nine field goals and was 30-for-30 on his PATs...Holds school record for longest field goal.
PERSONAL: Majoing in Business or Kinesiology...Son of Mande and Spencer Mathews...Has two siblings, Lain and Bolton...Chose CMU for the coaching staff, facilities and academic opportunities...Aspires to go into real estate or in the sports medical field...Enjoys boating, going to the gym and seeing friends and family.
Jaxon Nettleton • DE • 6-1 • 230 • Cottonwood Heights, Utah // Brighton High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Bengals of Brighton High School and coach Casey Sutera...Second Team All-State selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Kinesiology...Son of Jana Nettleton...Has two siblings, Lily and Alexa...Chose CMU for the athletic and academic opportunities...Enjoys power lifting.
Nate Nuelle • OL • 6-5 • 275 • Lake Forest, Calif. // El Toro High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Chargers of El Toro High School and coach Peter Lofthouse...Two-time All-League selection...Orange County All-Star.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Outdoor Recreation...Son of John and Amy Nuelle...Has two siblings, Erin and Mark...Chose CMU for the academic and athletic opportunities...Enjoys camping, hiking, and going to concerts.
Davis Olson • TE • 6-3 • 205 • Bakersfield, Calif. // Bakersfield High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Drillers of Bakersfield High School and coach Rashaan Shehee.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Kinesiology...Son of Amy Brown and Ryan Olson...Chose CMU for the athletic and academic opportunities...Aspires to open his own Physical Therapy practice...Enjoys golfing, working out and baking.
Choyce Price • DB • 5-11 • 185 • Tucson, Ariz. // Saguaro High School
Nathan Rodriguez • WR • 5-10 • 160 • Littleton, Colo. // Dakota Ridge High School
Moses Thenell • RB • 5-10 • 220 • Littleton, Colo. // Heritage High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Eagles of Heritage High School and coach Tyler Knoblock...All-Colorado Honorable Mention...4A All-State selection...South Metro League Offensive Player of the Year...All-South Metro League selection...Rushed for 2,056 yards and 25 touchdowns.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business...Son of Chuck and Roseanne Thenell...Has five siblings, Baylee, Drake, Buck, Zyriq, and Nichole...Brother Zyriq plays football at Western Colorado...Chose CMU for the culture, community support and the family connection to the school...Aspires to be a firefighter...Enjoys water skiing, snow skiing, and working out.
Nikolasi Tonga'uiha • DL • 6-0 • 290 • Phoenix, Ariz. // Marco De Niza High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Padres of Marcos de Niza High School and coach Anthony Figueroa...Region Defensive Player of the Year...Three-time First Team All-Region.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Construction Management...Son of Nikolasi and Talitha Tonga'uiha...Has three siblings, Sione, Sinele, and Tehani...Chose CMU for the construction management program...Enjoys wrestling, rugby and lifting weights.
Nathan Umberger • WR • 5-8 • 150 • Grand Junction, Colo. // Palisade High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Bulldogs of Palisade High School and coach Joe Ramunno...Two-time All-Western Slope League selection.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Psychology...Son of Veronica and Trent Umberger...Has four siblings, Aubree, Azilynn, Arayah, and Wyatt...Chose CMU for the coaching staff, the community and to play for the hometown team...Enjoys snowboarding, golfing, and drag racing.
Greg Webb • LB • 6-1 • 205 • Tucson, Ariz. // Marana High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Tigers of Marana High School and coach Philip Steward.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Business...Son of Ericka Gracia...Chose CMu for the town.
Matthew Zeck • DL • 6-2 • 240 • Pueblo West, Colo. // Pueblo West High School
HIGH SCHOOL: Played for the Cyclones of Pueblo West High School and coach Clint Buderus...Two-time Second Team All-State selection...Two-time First Team All-Southern Colorado League...All-Southern Colorado League Defensive Player of the Year...Selected to play in the All-State game.
PERSONAL: Majoring in Exercise Science...Son of Daniel and Melissa Zeck...Has one sibling, William...Chose CMU for the academic and athletic opportunities...Aspires to become a physical therapist...Enjoys fishing, hunting, and woodworking.
