2012 CMU Football Signing Day
Dave Jahnke
Assistant Sports Information Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2012
Colorado Mesa Head Football Coach Russ Martin and the Colorado Mesa University coaching staff would like to
announce the signing of 27 student-athletes for the 2012 College Football season. Coach Martin also said they
will add a few more players in the coming months as they head into spring football.
“We are extremely excited about this class and how they can impact the future of this program.” Martin stated.
This recruiting class features 12 players on the defensive side of the ball and 12 on the offensive side of the
ball, headlined by the state’s leading rusher and local standout Jerreon Dennis. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to
have Jerreon coming to Colorado Mesa. He has the ability to make an impact for us right away and really has a
bright future ahead of him” Martin said. Dennis led the state in rushing this past year with 2,351 yards and was
named to the All-Colorado Team.
The class also included 3 junior college players. Will Harvey and Ian Driskill have already enrolled at CMU and
are taking classes now. Turmour Battle is the other and will enroll in the summer with the rest of the class.
Below is a complete list of the student-athletes who have signed their National Letter-of-Intent (NLI) with
Colorado Mesa University.
###MAVS###
Cole Alderson
LB
6-0
200
Parker, Colo.
Chaparral
Coached by John Vogt…Two-Time All-Continental League selection…Ranked 2nd in Colorado 5A in total
tackles…CHSAA/IBM Hero of the week…Named Chaparral Defensive MVP.
Personal: Son of Alan and Linda Anderson
Coach Martin’s Comments: ”Very tough, athletic kid who can flat run. Makes a lot of plays and always seems to
be around the ball.”
Jake Anna
WR
6-4
195
Coached by Tom Thonell…All-Conference selection
Personal: Son of Teresa Hogan and Mark Anna
Lakewood, Colo.
Bear Creek
Coach Martin’s Comments: “A big bodied receiver. Big hands, possession guy and has great body control.”
Turmour Battle
WR
5-9
175
Denver, Colo.
Mendocino JC
Coached by Tony Lindsay at Denver South High School…All-Conference Defensive Back at Mendocino Junior
College.
Personal: Son of Angela Page…Intends to major in Computer Science.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “We are excited to have Turmour, his experience and speed are a welcome
commodity to our skill positions.”
Cameron Brown
OL
6-4
300
Coached by Sean Mulvey…All-Southwestern League selection
Personal: Son of Mike and Teresa Brown
Fruita, Colo.
Fruita-Monument\
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Big Frame with good feet and a passion for the game.”
Kevin Collison
PK
6-2
195
Coached by Todd Miller…Two-Time All-Metro League selection
Personal: Son of Mark and Wendy Collison
Colo. Springs, Colo. Pine Creek
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Player with a lot of potential. He has a great leg and can put the ball where it has
to be.”
Wes Crane
WR/KR
5-5
190
Aurora, Colo.
Lutheran
Coached by Daryl Moe…Two-Time All-State selection…Three-Time All-Conference as a Receiver, Returner and
Defensive Back…Also is a State Champion basketball player and track runner.
Personal: Son of Gary Crane and Carol Crane-Tuffield…Intends to major in business
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Dynamic kick returner who has the ability to score every time he touches the ball.”
Marcus Cross
WR
6-1
195
Colo. Springs, Colo. Pine Creek
Coached by Todd Miller…Colorado Springs Gazette All-Area Team…All-Pikes Peak selection…Honorable Mention
All-State…Mentioned in ESPN.com and Scout.com recruiting.
Personal: Son of Don and Maria Cross…Plans on majoring in Business Administration.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “A very aggressive and physical player on both sides of the ball. He could be an
impact player right away. We are very excited to get Marcus on campus.”
Cody Daniels
LB
6-0
185
Fruita, Colo.
Fruita-Monument
Coached by Sean Mulvey…Two-Time All-Southwestern League selection…Invited to the Southern Nazarene
Football Showcase…Three-Time Academic All-State
Personal: Son of Mike and Kathy Daniels
2012 CMU Football Signing Day
Dave Jahnke
Assistant Sports Information Director
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Great addition to the Mavs with high field intelligence with great work ethic on and
off the field.”
Frank deBraga
DB
5-9
165
Fallon, Nev.
Churchill County
Coached by Brooke Hill…Two-Time All-League selection as a defensive back and kick returner…Also an AllLeague baseball player and wrestler…Three-Time Academic All-State…Brother of current Mavericks Trent and
Trevor deBraga.
Personal: Son of Lester and Angela deBraga…Intends to major in Criminal Justice.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Outstanding athlete in every realm. Great competitor. Makes plays and raises the
level of all around him.”
Jerreon Dennis
RB
5-11 195
Grand Jct., Colo.
Grand Junction
Coached by Robbie Owens…All-Colorado Running Back…Two-Time All-State selection…State’s Leading rusher
last season with 2,351 yards…Mentioned on Scout.com recruiting.
Personal: Son of Brenda Been and Step-dad Jeff Been
Coach Martin’s Comments: “We are extremely excited to welcome Colorado’s leading rusher to Colorado Mesa.
Jerreon has big play ability and gains the hard yards when he needs to. He has a bright future in the backfield
for the Mavericks.”
Tanner Donahue
PK
6-2
185
Castle Rock, Colo. Castle View
Coached by Ryan Hollingshead…South Metro League Special Teams Player of the Year
Personal: Son of Paul and Jen Donahue…Intends to major in Business
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Great leg. He will be able to come into camp and compete for the job right away.”
Kyle Duran
QB
6-0
205
Chandler, Ariz.
Basha
Coached by Bernie Busken…Two-Time Arizona Cardinals Player of the Week…Region Player of the Year…AllState selection…All-Region and All-Section selection…Ranked on ESPN.com and Rivals.com.
Personal: Son of Ralph and Julie Duran…Intends to major in Kinesiology.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Very talented quarterback. Excellent passer with great leadership skills.
Understands defenses and how to distribute the ball.”
Zachary Hamm
LB
6-0
205
Tempe, Ariz.
Corona Del Sol
Coached by Tom Joseph…Two-Time All-Section selection…All-City selection…Defensive Player of the Year…Holds
Corona Del Sol Career solo tackles record…Brother JR played football for the Mavericks…Mentioned in
ESPN.com recruiting.
Personal: Son of Kirt and Susan Hamm…Intends to major in Business Administration
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Zach possesses good strength and football knowledge.”
Alex Huskey
OL
6-2
240
Aurora, Colo.
Grandview
Coached by John Schultz…Three-Year starter on the Offensive Line…Team made back-toback Final Four
appearances…Two-Time Creek Conference selection.
Personal: Son of Eric and Kim Huskey…Intends to major in Education.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Athletic big man who knows how to use his body. Has great feet and hands. Plays
hard every down.”
Beau Kitson
OL
6-1
280
Anthem, Ariz.
St. Mary’s Boulder Creek
Coached by Eddy Zubey…All-Arizona selection…Three-Time All-Region selection…All-Phoenix selection…Top 100
players in Arizona…Mentioned in Scout.com recruiting.
Personal: Son of Jason and Christina Kitson…Intends to major in Education.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Hard working athlete. He is no-stranger to the weight room and is very good at
finishing plays and using his hands.”
Donald Landrum
WR
5-10 170
Denver, Colo.
Denver South
Coached by Tony Lindsay…All-League selection at Wide Receiver and Defensive Back.
Personal: Son of Sherri Landrum
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Donald is a versatile with explosive playmaking ability and great football speed.”
Jamie Lambert
LB
6-1
205
Castle Rock, Colo. Castle View
Coached by Ryan Hollingshead…All-State selection…Two-Time All-South Metro League selection…Finished
season with the highest defensive points total…Mentioned in ESPN.com recruiting.
Personal: Son of Catherine and Doug Lambert…Intends to major in Criminal Justice
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Smart, aggressive football player with a ton of potential. He can do all the things
we need him to do and we will find a place for him on the field.”
Robin Love
DB
5-9
165
Denver, Colo.
Denver South
Coached by Tony Lindsay…All-League selection as a defensive back and special teams player
Personal: Son of Gabe and Beth Lindsay
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Robin is a very dynamic defensive back that we foresee big production from in the
future.”
Lucas Lovell
OL
6-2
290
Fort Collins, Colo. Rocky Mountain
Coached by Mark Brook…Two-Time All-Front Range League selection…Three-Time Academic All-State
selection…Mentioned in ESPN.com recruiting.
Personal: Son of Scooter and Kris Lovell…Intends to major in Business Management
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Hard working player with great potential.”
Trevor Miller
LB
6-2
210
Greeley, Colo.
Windsor
Coached by Chris Jones…All-State selection…Led Colorado 3A in total tackles with 151…Team won Colorado 3A
State Championship…Two-Time All-Conference selection…Three-Time Academic All-State selection.
Personal: Son of Kevin and Cindy Miller…Intends to major in Engineering
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Very tough, aggressive player who really plays hard. Loves to hit and knows how
to make plays. He will be a tremendous asset to our team.”
Olie Olson
DB
5-11 180
Powell, Wyo.
Powell
Coached by Jim Stringer…Wyoming Defensive Player of the Year…Super 25 selection (Top 25 Players in
Wyoming)…Two-Time All-State selection…Set Wyoming State Record for interceptions in a season with 9.
Personal: Son of Olin and Mary Olson…Plans on majoring in Exercise Science.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Tough, Hard-nose, aggressive player. Competes every snap and has big play
ability. He is an explosive player and plays with great effort.”
Chandon Rose
WR
6-0
170
Grand Jct., Colo.
Grand Junction
Coached by Robbie Owens…Three-Time All-Southwestern League selection…All-State Honorable
Mention…Academic All-State…MVP of the Red Bull 7-on-7 Tournament.
Personal: Son of Chris Rose and Melissa Cox…Intends to major in Business.
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Very tough and extremely competitive. A playmaker in every facet of the game.
Great local talent to join the Mavericks.”
Taylor Schultz
DE
6-3
210
Aurora, Colo.
Grandview
2012 CMU Football Signing Day
Dave Jahnke
Assistant Sports Information Director
Coached by John Schultz…All-State selection…All-Centennial League selection…Two-Time All-Aurora
selection…Two-Time Academic All-State
Personal: Son of John and Heather Schultz…Intends to major in Business
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Extremely active player who made a ton of plays. Smart Player on both sides of
the ball. Great motor, really gets after it.
Austin Smith
QB/ATH
5-11 165
Castle Rock, Colo. Castle View
Coached by Ryan Hollingshead…All-South Metro League selection…Also plays baseball
Personal: Son of Phyllis Armstrong…Intends to major in Biology
Coach Martin’s Comments: “Very intelligent football player who knows where he needs to be to make plays.”
Riley Whitworth
ATH
6-0
195
Colo. Springs, Colo. Pine Creek
Coached by Todd Miller…All-State selection…All-Area selection…All-Region selection
Personal: Plans to major in Criminal Justice
Coach Martin’s Comments: “An all-around player. Very Active linebacker who makes a ton of plays.”
Junior College Player who signed Letters-of-Intent and are already enrolled at Colorado Mesa
Ian Driskill
LB
6-2
210
Bakersfield, Calif.
Bakersfield College
Will Harvey
LB
6-2
225
Bakersfield, Calif.
Bakersfield College