University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Colorado Core Headlines UNC Football’s February Signing Day Class
2/6/2026 12:14:00 PM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Northern Colorado Football added a strong group of high school talent to its 2026 recruiting class on National Signing Day Wednesday, officially welcoming a Colorado-heavy group of newcomers as head coach Ed Lamb and his staff continued to prioritize local and regional recruiting.
The Feb. 4 signing day class builds on UNC's early period success, with the Bears landing a deep group of high school prospects from across the Front Range and surrounding regions. Eleven of the signees hail from the state of Colorado, reinforcing the program's emphasis on developing in-state talent and building long-term continuity within the roster.
Among the headliners of the day was Ralston Valley quarterback Zeke Andrews, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound signal-caller from Arvada. Andrews joins the Bears after a strong prep career and brings prototypical size and arm strength to the quarterback room.
Aurora continued to be well represented, highlighted by Tyrone Smiley, a running back from Vista Peak Prep, and Josh Gallien, a versatile defensive back/receiver from the same program. The Bears also secured size and strength up front with Cherokee Trail offensive tackle Brady Collins (6-6, 290) and Windsor's John Stephens, a 6-4, 265-pound lineman capable of contributing on both sides of the ball.
Northern Colorado added multiple two-way athletes from in-state programs, including Owen Collard (Erie HS), Brogen Palmer (Highland HS, Ault), Max Unrein (Fruita Monument HS), Carter Gaines (Timnath HS), and Cade Pohlen (Windsor HS), giving the Bears flexibility and athleticism at key skill and hybrid positions.
The signing class also features select out-of-state additions who complement the local core, including defensive standout Zion Wallace from Cajon High School in California and quarterbacks Jacob Paisano (Hart HS) and Tycen Ramirez (Fresno Christian), both of whom bring versatility and size to UNC's offense.
"This class is a direct reflection of what we believe in as a program," head coach Ed Lamb said. "We want to build Northern Colorado Football with high school players, and especially with young men from our own state who understand this area, this campus and what it means to represent UNC. Colorado continues to produce outstanding football players, and we're proud of the relationships we've built with high school coaches and communities across the Front Range. This group gives us size, versatility and long-term upside, and we're excited to develop them here in Greeley."
2026 Football Recruiting Class – High School Signees
December Early Signing Period & February National Signing Day
Zeke Andrews – QB | 6-6, 215 | Ralston Valley HS | Arvada, Colo.
Asher Bancroft – OL | Chaparral HS | Temecula, Calif.
Houston Boyce – OL | 6-7, 310 | Skyline HS | Longmont, Colo.
Jordan Brock – DE/EDGE | 6-3, 245 | Arvada West HS | Arvada, Colo.
Owen Collard – WR/DB | 6-3, 190 | Erie HS | Erie, Colo.
Brady Collins – OL | 6-6, 290 | Cherokee Trail HS | Aurora, Colo.
Luca Fansano – OL | 6-3, 275 | Fairview HS | Boulder, Colo.
Josh Gallien – DB/WR | 6-0, 175 | Vista Peak Prep | Aurora, Colo.
Carter Gaines – WR | 6-4, 205 | Timnath HS | Timnath, Colo.
Asher Gardzelewski – OL | 6-5, 300 | Green Mountain HS | Lakewood, Colo.
Lincoln Hageman – LB | 6-3, 200 | Erie HS | Erie, Colo.
Noah Meurer – WR | 6-0, 180 | Arvada West HS | Arvada, Colo.
Jacob Paisano – QB | 6-3, 200 | Hart HS | Santa Clarita, Calif.
Brogen Palmer – DE/TE | Highland HS | Ault, Colo.
Cade Pohlen – DE/TE | 6-4, 230 | Windsor HS | Windsor, Colo.
Enzo Pulte – OL/DL | 6-5, 230 | Fairview HS | Boulder, Colo.
Tycen Ramirez – QB/TE | 6-6, 210 | Fresno Christian | Fresno, Calif.
Caeden Reeder – QB | 6-4, 215 | ThunderRidge HS | Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Tyrone Smiley – RB | Vista Peak Prep | Aurora, Colo.
Jayden Spencer – CB | 6-0, 170 | Cherry Creek HS | Greenwood Village, Colo.
John Stephens – DT/OT | 6-4, 265 | Windsor HS | Windsor, Colo.
Max Unrein – WR/DB | Fruita Monument HS | Fruita, Colo.
Zion Wallace – SS/OLB | 6-2, 190 | Cajon HS | San Bernardino, Calif.
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.
The Feb. 4 signing day class builds on UNC's early period success, with the Bears landing a deep group of high school prospects from across the Front Range and surrounding regions. Eleven of the signees hail from the state of Colorado, reinforcing the program's emphasis on developing in-state talent and building long-term continuity within the roster.
Among the headliners of the day was Ralston Valley quarterback Zeke Andrews, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound signal-caller from Arvada. Andrews joins the Bears after a strong prep career and brings prototypical size and arm strength to the quarterback room.
Aurora continued to be well represented, highlighted by Tyrone Smiley, a running back from Vista Peak Prep, and Josh Gallien, a versatile defensive back/receiver from the same program. The Bears also secured size and strength up front with Cherokee Trail offensive tackle Brady Collins (6-6, 290) and Windsor's John Stephens, a 6-4, 265-pound lineman capable of contributing on both sides of the ball.
Northern Colorado added multiple two-way athletes from in-state programs, including Owen Collard (Erie HS), Brogen Palmer (Highland HS, Ault), Max Unrein (Fruita Monument HS), Carter Gaines (Timnath HS), and Cade Pohlen (Windsor HS), giving the Bears flexibility and athleticism at key skill and hybrid positions.
The signing class also features select out-of-state additions who complement the local core, including defensive standout Zion Wallace from Cajon High School in California and quarterbacks Jacob Paisano (Hart HS) and Tycen Ramirez (Fresno Christian), both of whom bring versatility and size to UNC's offense.
"This class is a direct reflection of what we believe in as a program," head coach Ed Lamb said. "We want to build Northern Colorado Football with high school players, and especially with young men from our own state who understand this area, this campus and what it means to represent UNC. Colorado continues to produce outstanding football players, and we're proud of the relationships we've built with high school coaches and communities across the Front Range. This group gives us size, versatility and long-term upside, and we're excited to develop them here in Greeley."
2026 Football Recruiting Class – High School Signees
December Early Signing Period & February National Signing Day
Zeke Andrews – QB | 6-6, 215 | Ralston Valley HS | Arvada, Colo.
Asher Bancroft – OL | Chaparral HS | Temecula, Calif.
Houston Boyce – OL | 6-7, 310 | Skyline HS | Longmont, Colo.
Jordan Brock – DE/EDGE | 6-3, 245 | Arvada West HS | Arvada, Colo.
Owen Collard – WR/DB | 6-3, 190 | Erie HS | Erie, Colo.
Brady Collins – OL | 6-6, 290 | Cherokee Trail HS | Aurora, Colo.
Luca Fansano – OL | 6-3, 275 | Fairview HS | Boulder, Colo.
Josh Gallien – DB/WR | 6-0, 175 | Vista Peak Prep | Aurora, Colo.
Carter Gaines – WR | 6-4, 205 | Timnath HS | Timnath, Colo.
Asher Gardzelewski – OL | 6-5, 300 | Green Mountain HS | Lakewood, Colo.
Lincoln Hageman – LB | 6-3, 200 | Erie HS | Erie, Colo.
Noah Meurer – WR | 6-0, 180 | Arvada West HS | Arvada, Colo.
Jacob Paisano – QB | 6-3, 200 | Hart HS | Santa Clarita, Calif.
Brogen Palmer – DE/TE | Highland HS | Ault, Colo.
Cade Pohlen – DE/TE | 6-4, 230 | Windsor HS | Windsor, Colo.
Enzo Pulte – OL/DL | 6-5, 230 | Fairview HS | Boulder, Colo.
Tycen Ramirez – QB/TE | 6-6, 210 | Fresno Christian | Fresno, Calif.
Caeden Reeder – QB | 6-4, 215 | ThunderRidge HS | Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Tyrone Smiley – RB | Vista Peak Prep | Aurora, Colo.
Jayden Spencer – CB | 6-0, 170 | Cherry Creek HS | Greenwood Village, Colo.
John Stephens – DT/OT | 6-4, 265 | Windsor HS | Windsor, Colo.
Max Unrein – WR/DB | Fruita Monument HS | Fruita, Colo.
Zion Wallace – SS/OLB | 6-2, 190 | Cajon HS | San Bernardino, Calif.
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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