University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Dean Popejoy
10/22/2026 3:12:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Rylen Renton was a catcher. For two years at Gateway Community College, he was a baseball player, and that was the plan.
Then last spring, he called it.
"Out of high school, I always kind of knew I wanted to play baseball, and I went and played baseball for my first two years of college," Renton said. "At the end of last spring, I just felt like baseball wasn't it for me anymore."
He went home and talked to his family. Then he reached out to Coach James Pazak, and asked whether he could still play football. The answer was a tryout over the summer, and the tryout went well enough that Renton is now a junior linebacker on a Bears team that has won three straight at home.
Drinking From a Fire Hose
Coming back to football after two years away was not a physical problem. Renton said the hitting came back quickly. The playbook did not.
"When I first got here in the summer, it felt like I was drinking through a fire hose with the playbook and everything," Renton said. "It's been a while since I played football, and then each week it just got easier and easier. My coaches are also really amazing. They help me a lot."
He credited the linebacker room, specifically KJ Smedley and Hudson Voggesser, for bringing him along.
"We have some great leaders in the linebacker room," Renton said. "They really did a great job welcoming me in and helping me learn the playbook. If I have a question at any time, they'll answer. I'll still have questions today, and they'll help me answer them."
First Big Play
Renton's season took its turn Saturday against Cal Poly, when he recorded the first interception of his career in the Bears' 28-18 win.
He gave credit to the play before his.
"It really started the play before, when Hudson had a great tackle on third down to ultimately have them go for the fourth down play," Renton said. "The defense did a really great job doing its job, dropping back, making the quarterback put some air underneath the throw. It was a team play overall."
He returned it 31 yards, a detail that got him teased. His teammates thought he should have cut back inside, and so did his family.
"After the game, my family kind of came up to me and gave me a hard time about it," Renton said. "My little brother was all like, 'Oh man, you could have cut back and went to the house.'"
He called the razzing what it is.
"It's just how the whole linebacker room is. It's tough love, just messing around with each other," Renton said.
Twenty Minutes From Home
Renton went to Windsor High School, about 20 minutes from Greeley, and his family is at every home game. He said that is the part he values most.
"My little brother would bring some of his football teammates," Renton said. "It's awesome. I have a great support."
He is 20, a junior, studying business finance, and thinking about financial advising and real estate after football. But for now, he is a linebacker who did not play the sport for two years and is now starting to make plays in the Big Sky.
"I was capable of it last week, and I feel good going into this next week," Renton said. "Just full belief in yourself. You can't go out there with any doubt."
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Quarterback Club
The Quarterback Club plays a vital role in supporting the UNC Football program. By giving to the Quarterback Club, you help enhance the student-athlete experience, providing resources for team development, and ensuring the success of the Bears on and off the field. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the future of the program.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at UNCBears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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Then last spring, he called it.
"Out of high school, I always kind of knew I wanted to play baseball, and I went and played baseball for my first two years of college," Renton said. "At the end of last spring, I just felt like baseball wasn't it for me anymore."
He went home and talked to his family. Then he reached out to Coach James Pazak, and asked whether he could still play football. The answer was a tryout over the summer, and the tryout went well enough that Renton is now a junior linebacker on a Bears team that has won three straight at home.
Drinking From a Fire Hose
Coming back to football after two years away was not a physical problem. Renton said the hitting came back quickly. The playbook did not.
"When I first got here in the summer, it felt like I was drinking through a fire hose with the playbook and everything," Renton said. "It's been a while since I played football, and then each week it just got easier and easier. My coaches are also really amazing. They help me a lot."
He credited the linebacker room, specifically KJ Smedley and Hudson Voggesser, for bringing him along.
"We have some great leaders in the linebacker room," Renton said. "They really did a great job welcoming me in and helping me learn the playbook. If I have a question at any time, they'll answer. I'll still have questions today, and they'll help me answer them."
First Big Play
Renton's season took its turn Saturday against Cal Poly, when he recorded the first interception of his career in the Bears' 28-18 win.
He gave credit to the play before his.
"It really started the play before, when Hudson had a great tackle on third down to ultimately have them go for the fourth down play," Renton said. "The defense did a really great job doing its job, dropping back, making the quarterback put some air underneath the throw. It was a team play overall."
He returned it 31 yards, a detail that got him teased. His teammates thought he should have cut back inside, and so did his family.
"After the game, my family kind of came up to me and gave me a hard time about it," Renton said. "My little brother was all like, 'Oh man, you could have cut back and went to the house.'"
He called the razzing what it is.
"It's just how the whole linebacker room is. It's tough love, just messing around with each other," Renton said.
Twenty Minutes From Home
Renton went to Windsor High School, about 20 minutes from Greeley, and his family is at every home game. He said that is the part he values most.
"My little brother would bring some of his football teammates," Renton said. "It's awesome. I have a great support."
He is 20, a junior, studying business finance, and thinking about financial advising and real estate after football. But for now, he is a linebacker who did not play the sport for two years and is now starting to make plays in the Big Sky.
"I was capable of it last week, and I feel good going into this next week," Renton said. "Just full belief in yourself. You can't go out there with any doubt."
Tickets can be purchased through the UNC ticket office online at UNCBears.com/Tickets, by calling 970-351-4849, or in person at the UNC ticket office during normal business hours.
Quarterback Club
The Quarterback Club plays a vital role in supporting the UNC Football program. By giving to the Quarterback Club, you help enhance the student-athlete experience, providing resources for team development, and ensuring the success of the Bears on and off the field. Your involvement makes a meaningful difference in the future of the program.
FOLLOW THE BEARS:
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at UNCBears.com. Follow the football team on Instagram, X and Facebook.
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Players Mentioned
Monday, October 26
Thursday, October 22
Wednesday, October 21
Wednesday, October 21
