FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Football adds 12 more to 2022 Signing Class Wednesday
UNC football wrapped up its 2022 recruiting class with 12 more signees Wednesday
By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado football wrapped up its 2022 recruiting class on Wednesday with the addition of 12 signees. The group joins the 15 previous signees from December to bring the recruiting class total to 27 overall. Ten of the 12 recruits signed on Wednesday will play on the defensive side on the ball either at linebacker or defensive back. The two on offense are a wide receiver and an offensive lineman.
Wyatt Blake | OL | 6-4 | 305 | Crystal Lake, Ill | Northwestern
Wyatt Blake adds to the team’s offensive line depth as a transfer from Northwestern. A four-star prospect out of high school he played in 14 games for the Wildcats. Blake was the No. 20 guard according to ESPN out of high school and ranked the No. 10 player out of the state of Illinois. He was a two-time All-Conference selection in High School and Max Preps Freshman All-America team member.
Lameron Curry | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Choctaw, Okla. | Choctaw HS
A long, explosive athlete Lameron Curry comes to UNC from Choctaw, Oklahoma. Curry played at Choctaw High School and earned Oklahoma Big 7 All-conference honors. A former quarterback he has great ball skills.
Marcus Howard | LB | 6-5 | 210 | Denver, Colo. | Aurora Central HS
A multi-sport athlete playing football, basketball and baseball at Aurora Central High School, Marcus Howard decided to stay in-state and be a Bear. The linebacker is big and explosive with a huge upside. Howard recorded 23 sacks, forced four fumbles and recovered one as a senior. Four times, he earned the team’s Player of the Game award.
Jaiden Letua | LB | 6-2 | 215 | Oceanside, Calif. | Mission Hills HS
Jaiden Letua comes to Northern Colorado from Oceanside, California where he was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year for Mission Hills High School. Leutua participated at the Alex Spanos All-Start Classic and was named a team captain for it. A physical, downhill player, he earned first team All-CIF honors.
Tizzell Lewis | DB | 6-1 | 180 | Aurora, Colo. | Butte JC
Tizell Lewis is returning home to be a Bear. The Aurora, Colorado native and Chaparral High School graduate returns to the Centennial State after two years at Butte Junior College. The athletic, tough, physical defensive back is expected to compete for playing time right away. At Chaparral High School, Lewis recorded 58 tackles and three interceptions as a senior.
Noah Mangham | DB | 5-11 | 180 | Frisco, Texas | Wakeland HS
Noah Mangham made an impact for Wakeland High School on both sides of the ball playing defensive back and wide receiver. He scored a total of six touchdowns and racked up 40 tackles. He was a first team All-District selection at cornerback and second team as a receiver.
Franky Morales | DB | 5-10 | 170 | Chandler, Ariz. | Lake Highlands HS
A first team All-State and All-Region selection Franky Morales will bring his talents from Arizona to Colorado. The defensive back from Chandler, Arizona was a team captain who also earned All-Academic honors. He picked Northern Colorado over Texas Tech and fellow Big Sky schools Northern Arizona and Idaho State.
Ladavion Osborn | DB | 6-2 | 180 | Tyler, Texas | Lake Highlands HS
Ladavion Osborn played both sides of the ball for Lake Highlands High School at defensive back and wide receiver. He earned first team All-District honors at DB for a second time after a strong senior year. He recorded 50 tackles, recovered two fumbles, had one interception.
Alfred Smith | DB | 5-9 | 165 | Laveen, Ariz. | Chandler HS
Alfred Smith is joining teammate Franky Morales as a Bear making his way to Greeley from Chandler High School. A three-star prospect according to 247 Sports, Smith had 46 tackles and three interceptions his senior season. He helped his school win two state titles. Smith chose UNC over Texas Tech, Army and Montana State among others.
Rocco Traore | Ath | 5-11 | 185 | Lynnwood, Wash. | North Creek HS
Rocco Traore brings his versatility to the UNC secondary with the ability to play any position. A three-star prospect according to 247 Sports, he was a first team All-League cornerback as a senior. Traore played both defensive back and running back for North Creek High School scoring 12 touchdowns on 1,000 all-purpose yards along with four interceptions, four forced fumbles and 53 tackles. He picked Northern Colorado over Eastern Washington and Florida Atlantic.
Tama Tuietele | LB | 6-1 | 235 | Aurora, Colo. | Navy
Tama Tuietele returns to the Centennial State after spending two seasons at the Naval Academy. He played in 14 games for Navy recording 71 tackles, forcing four fumbles and having 3.5 tackles for a loss. A graduate of Regis High School, he played football, basketball and track and field. Tuietele’s dad Maugaula played at Colorado State before spending four years in the NFL.
Kylen Woods | WR | 5-11 | 175 | Carrollton, Texas | Newman Smith HS
Northern Colorado is adding another Woods to their receivers group. Kylen Woods will join older brother Kassidy Woods in the Blue & Gold. A three-sport athlete, he played football, basketball and track at Newman Smith High School. Woods was a first team all-district selection after recording 956 receiving yards as a senior. He was a team captain as well.
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Ryan Pfeifer
Director of Strategic Communication
