University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Steele
Football Signs Three During Early Signing Period
12/18/2019 12:21:00 PM | Football
UNC football signs a linebacker and two offensive linemen during early signing period
Head coach Ed McCaffrey and the UNC football program welcomed three new Bears to the UNC family during the early signing period in Vincent King, Austin Lawrence and Karson Oliver. King will play linebacker for the Bears while Lawrence and Oliver add size to the offensive line.
Vincent King, LB, 6'0", 205 lbs., Denver, Colo., Smoky Hill HS
Vincent King is one of the top athletes out of the state of Colorado and was the first recruit to commit to UNC for the 2020 recruiting class back in the summer. A four-sport athlete, King lettered three times in football, twice in lacrosse, once in wrestling and competed in track and field his freshman year.
A captain for Smoky Hill his junior and senior season, King recorded 99 tackles, five sacks, forced four fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes his senior year. He was named first team All-Conference in 2019. King helped Smoky Hill win their conference championship in 2018 and 2019 along with the school's first playoff win in 34 years in 2019.
Off the field, he has excelled as a member of the National Honors Society and being a three-time Academic All-State honorable mention honoree. He is involved in the leadership council, student government and Be Kind campaign.
King chose Northern Colorado over Colorado State, Montana, South Dakota, San Diego, Holy Cross, Colorado School of Mines and CSU-Pueblo.
Coach McCaffrey on King
"Vincent is a great athlete that we are excited to keep in-state and welcome to Greeley. He can fly around the field and loves football. I am excited to have him for the next four years in the Blue and Gold."
Austin Lawrence, OL, 6'5", 280 lbs., Puyallup, Wash., Puyallup HS
Austin Lawrence makes his way to Greeley from Puyallup, Wash. where he played for Puyallup High School. Lawrence adds depth to the UNC offensive line bringing his big 6-5, 280 lbs. frame with him.
A three-time letterwinner in football, he also played baseball and basketball in high school. While at Puyallup he helped his team make three state appearances and was a first and second team all-league selection.
Austin's dad, Andrew played college football at Linfield College.Â
Lawrence chose UNC over Simon Frazier, Central Washington and Linfield College.
Coach McCaffrey on Lawrence
"Austin continues to grow our size on the offensive line. He is a physical player with good athletic ability, and it shows in his footwork. Coming in with the good base I am looking forward to getting him here and watch him grow."
Karson Oliver, OL, 6'6", 290 lbs., Tulare, Calif., Central Valley Christian HS
Karson Oliver brings another big body to the UNC football program. Coming to Greeley from Tulare, California he attended Central Valley Christian High School. A four-sport athlete in high school, Oliver lettered in football three times, baseball twice, track and field twice and basketball once. During his senior year of football, Oliver was a first team all-league selection.
His team made the Valley Championship his sophomore through senior year including winning it as a junior. As the Southern Regional champions, his team qualified for the state championships.
Off the gridiron, he earned high honors three times.
Oliver chose UNC over San Diego.
Coach McCaffrey on Oliver
"Karson is a big, physical, nasty player we are excited to add to our offensive line. He comes from a small farming community like Greely and will bring that blue-collar mentality to our program."
King, Lawrence and Oliver are just the starting point of Coach McCaffrey's inaugural recruiting class at Northern Colorado. The rest of the class will be filled out during the National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 5.
Get Your Tickets Now!
Excitement is in the air for the 2020 Northern Colorado football season and tickets are going fast! Reserve your seats now by visiting UNCBears.com/Tickets, calling 970-351-4849 or visiting the UNC Ticket Office located in the Campus Commons (M-F, 10 am – 5 pm).
Take advantage of the special for GA season tickets in honor of Coach McCaffrey's legendary run as number 87 for the Denver Broncos. Get two GA tickets for $87 for a limited time only. All ticket purchases may require additional fees.
To stay up to date on all things UNC football, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Vincent King, LB, 6'0", 205 lbs., Denver, Colo., Smoky Hill HS
Vincent King is one of the top athletes out of the state of Colorado and was the first recruit to commit to UNC for the 2020 recruiting class back in the summer. A four-sport athlete, King lettered three times in football, twice in lacrosse, once in wrestling and competed in track and field his freshman year.
A captain for Smoky Hill his junior and senior season, King recorded 99 tackles, five sacks, forced four fumbles and intercepted a pair of passes his senior year. He was named first team All-Conference in 2019. King helped Smoky Hill win their conference championship in 2018 and 2019 along with the school's first playoff win in 34 years in 2019.
Off the field, he has excelled as a member of the National Honors Society and being a three-time Academic All-State honorable mention honoree. He is involved in the leadership council, student government and Be Kind campaign.
King chose Northern Colorado over Colorado State, Montana, South Dakota, San Diego, Holy Cross, Colorado School of Mines and CSU-Pueblo.
Coach McCaffrey on King
"Vincent is a great athlete that we are excited to keep in-state and welcome to Greeley. He can fly around the field and loves football. I am excited to have him for the next four years in the Blue and Gold."
Austin Lawrence, OL, 6'5", 280 lbs., Puyallup, Wash., Puyallup HS
Austin Lawrence makes his way to Greeley from Puyallup, Wash. where he played for Puyallup High School. Lawrence adds depth to the UNC offensive line bringing his big 6-5, 280 lbs. frame with him.
A three-time letterwinner in football, he also played baseball and basketball in high school. While at Puyallup he helped his team make three state appearances and was a first and second team all-league selection.
Austin's dad, Andrew played college football at Linfield College.Â
Lawrence chose UNC over Simon Frazier, Central Washington and Linfield College.
Coach McCaffrey on Lawrence
"Austin continues to grow our size on the offensive line. He is a physical player with good athletic ability, and it shows in his footwork. Coming in with the good base I am looking forward to getting him here and watch him grow."
Karson Oliver, OL, 6'6", 290 lbs., Tulare, Calif., Central Valley Christian HS
Karson Oliver brings another big body to the UNC football program. Coming to Greeley from Tulare, California he attended Central Valley Christian High School. A four-sport athlete in high school, Oliver lettered in football three times, baseball twice, track and field twice and basketball once. During his senior year of football, Oliver was a first team all-league selection.
His team made the Valley Championship his sophomore through senior year including winning it as a junior. As the Southern Regional champions, his team qualified for the state championships.
Off the gridiron, he earned high honors three times.
Oliver chose UNC over San Diego.
Coach McCaffrey on Oliver
"Karson is a big, physical, nasty player we are excited to add to our offensive line. He comes from a small farming community like Greely and will bring that blue-collar mentality to our program."
King, Lawrence and Oliver are just the starting point of Coach McCaffrey's inaugural recruiting class at Northern Colorado. The rest of the class will be filled out during the National Signing Day on Wednesday, February 5.
Get Your Tickets Now!
Excitement is in the air for the 2020 Northern Colorado football season and tickets are going fast! Reserve your seats now by visiting UNCBears.com/Tickets, calling 970-351-4849 or visiting the UNC Ticket Office located in the Campus Commons (M-F, 10 am – 5 pm).
Take advantage of the special for GA season tickets in honor of Coach McCaffrey's legendary run as number 87 for the Denver Broncos. Get two GA tickets for $87 for a limited time only. All ticket purchases may require additional fees.
To stay up to date on all things UNC football, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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