University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Photo by: Jesus Ayala, UNC Athletics
From Walk-On to Workhorse: Justin Guin's Path to the Backfield
9/17/2026 10:47:00 AM | Football
GREELEY, Colo. – Justin Guin did not arrive at Northern Colorado with a scholarship or a guaranteed role. He arrived late, joining the program just as fall camp began, with a playbook to learn and no time to learn it.
Two seasons later, he is the Bears' leading rusher.
"I came in when fall camp just started, so I just had to get to learn the offense and everything," Guin said. "In the spring, I really had to prove myself. I got a lot of reps and everything, so that spring after my first season here was huge, which allowed me to get in this role and just progress to now."
That progress has been steady and, this season, significant. Guin ran for 88 yards on 17 carries against Wyoming — the second-highest rushing total of his career — and has become the Bears' most reliable option in the backfield. With Matthias Price working through an injury, Guin has shouldered more of the load, and he has responded with the kind of consistency the offense has leaned on.
Guin's path to Greeley was not a straight line. A walk-on at Fresno State, he found his way to Northern Colorado through an unlikely connection — Coach Rolovich, the former Hawaii and Washington State head coach who had recruited him to Fresno State and later placed a call to Ed Lamb.
"Coach Rolovich was a big role in me getting to Fresno State, and then I essentially got cut from Fresno State, so he was a big factor in getting me here," Guin said. "He was friends with Coach Lamb, made a call. So he was the big factor in getting me here. I have full gratitude for him and everything he's done for me."
Once in Greeley, Guin went to work on the parts of his game that do not show up in a highlight reel. He focused on pass catching out of the backfield, pass protection and agility, the unglamorous skills that separate a situational back from an every-down one.
"I take pride in my pass protection a lot because you can't be one dimensional as a running back," he said. "I really try to work on my agility and speed."
That work has paid off in a rushing attack that has become one of the offense's most dependable elements. Guin credits the coaching staff for putting the backs in position to succeed and the offensive line for opening the holes.
"I think we've just hung our hat on certain runs," Guin said. "The coaching has been phenomenal, putting us in great positions. The pass has really come alive here the past two games, and that's really opening up the run for us too. Coaching and all of us being on one page when run blocking."
His approach off the field has been just as disciplined. Guin is currently pursuing his MBA and was an Academic All-American a season ago, a standard he traces back to his upbringing and the lesson that school comes first.
"My parents have always taught me that if your school's not good, you're not going to play," Guin said. "So, I've really hung my hat on my grades. I came here as a walk-on, I went to Fresno State as a walk-on too. I've really hung my hat on getting good grades, staying on a good path, and doing everything I can. Control the controllables."
Football has always been part of the Guin family. His father played at San Francisco State, and his brother was the pulling center on Guin's first varsity touchdown.
"He was the pulling center for me to score," Guin said. "Everything in our family has been football."
Through a 0-3 start, Guin said the Bears' confidence has not wavered. He pointed to the near-misses against Weber State, South Dakota and Wyoming as evidence of how narrow the margin is at this level, and how close the team is to breaking through.
"Those tight losses sting for sure, but our confidence hasn't wavered," Guin said. "All our goals are still in front of us, so we're all good right now."
Saturday's kickoff against Northeastern State is set for 6 p.m. at Nottingham Field.
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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Two seasons later, he is the Bears' leading rusher.
"I came in when fall camp just started, so I just had to get to learn the offense and everything," Guin said. "In the spring, I really had to prove myself. I got a lot of reps and everything, so that spring after my first season here was huge, which allowed me to get in this role and just progress to now."
That progress has been steady and, this season, significant. Guin ran for 88 yards on 17 carries against Wyoming — the second-highest rushing total of his career — and has become the Bears' most reliable option in the backfield. With Matthias Price working through an injury, Guin has shouldered more of the load, and he has responded with the kind of consistency the offense has leaned on.
Guin's path to Greeley was not a straight line. A walk-on at Fresno State, he found his way to Northern Colorado through an unlikely connection — Coach Rolovich, the former Hawaii and Washington State head coach who had recruited him to Fresno State and later placed a call to Ed Lamb.
"Coach Rolovich was a big role in me getting to Fresno State, and then I essentially got cut from Fresno State, so he was a big factor in getting me here," Guin said. "He was friends with Coach Lamb, made a call. So he was the big factor in getting me here. I have full gratitude for him and everything he's done for me."
Once in Greeley, Guin went to work on the parts of his game that do not show up in a highlight reel. He focused on pass catching out of the backfield, pass protection and agility, the unglamorous skills that separate a situational back from an every-down one.
"I take pride in my pass protection a lot because you can't be one dimensional as a running back," he said. "I really try to work on my agility and speed."
That work has paid off in a rushing attack that has become one of the offense's most dependable elements. Guin credits the coaching staff for putting the backs in position to succeed and the offensive line for opening the holes.
"I think we've just hung our hat on certain runs," Guin said. "The coaching has been phenomenal, putting us in great positions. The pass has really come alive here the past two games, and that's really opening up the run for us too. Coaching and all of us being on one page when run blocking."
His approach off the field has been just as disciplined. Guin is currently pursuing his MBA and was an Academic All-American a season ago, a standard he traces back to his upbringing and the lesson that school comes first.
"My parents have always taught me that if your school's not good, you're not going to play," Guin said. "So, I've really hung my hat on my grades. I came here as a walk-on, I went to Fresno State as a walk-on too. I've really hung my hat on getting good grades, staying on a good path, and doing everything I can. Control the controllables."
Football has always been part of the Guin family. His father played at San Francisco State, and his brother was the pulling center on Guin's first varsity touchdown.
"He was the pulling center for me to score," Guin said. "Everything in our family has been football."
Through a 0-3 start, Guin said the Bears' confidence has not wavered. He pointed to the near-misses against Weber State, South Dakota and Wyoming as evidence of how narrow the margin is at this level, and how close the team is to breaking through.
"Those tight losses sting for sure, but our confidence hasn't wavered," Guin said. "All our goals are still in front of us, so we're all good right now."
Saturday's kickoff against Northeastern State is set for 6 p.m. at Nottingham Field.
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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