The 2021 Colorado State Rams football team represented Colorado State University in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rams were led by second–year head coach Steve Addazio and played their home games at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins, Colorado, as members of the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference.
Preseason In the preseason Mountain West media poll that was released on July 21, 2021, the Rams were picked to finish fourth in the Mountain Division behind Boise State, Wyoming, and Air Force. Defensive lineman Scott Patchan and punter Ryan Stonehouse were named to the Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team.
Incoming transfers Colorado State added nine transfers prior to the 2021 season, per the Coloradoan.
QBMatt ValecceRd. JuniorFordham PrepMamaroneck, NYBoston CollegeRBDavid BaileySeniorNorth CarolineRidgely, MDBoston CollegeWRKeenan BrownRd. SophomoreDakota RidgeLittleton, COFond du Lac TCCWRJordan KressGrad. StudentMountain ViewLoveland, CONew MexicoOLVincent PicozziGrad. StudentLansdale CatholicCollegeville, PATempleDLMike CiaffoniRd. SophomoreLincoln-SudburySudbury, MABoston CollegeLBAnthony KoclanakisGrad. StudentEsperanzaYorba Linda, CAMurray StateDBLinwood CrumpGrad. StudentPiscatawaySouth Amboy, NJTempleDBTitus JonesRd. SophomoreWoodlandKingston, GAAlabama A&M
Recruiting class of 2021 Colorado State football signed 19 recruits as part of their 2021 signing class, per 247Sports.com.
Star ratings vary by recruiting service; star ratings below are 247Sports Composite ratings, a composite average of ratings across major recruiting services provided by 247Sports.com. QBChance Harris †ClovisClovis, NM0.8173New MexicoMay 18, 2020QBLuke McAllister †Palmer RidgeMonument, CO0.8376NoneNovember 20, 2019QBEvan OlaesLegacyNorth Las Vegas, NV0.8053Air Force, Army, Idaho, Montana St., New Mexico,Northern Arizona, YaleJune 8, 2020RBAlex BerrouetActon-BoxboroughActon, MA0.7965Fordham, Holy CrossDecember 16, 2020WRDamir AbdullahCharter OakCovina, CA0.8281Cal Poly, Fresno St., Hawaii, New Mexico, San Jose St.June 14, 2020WRGerick RobinsonCentennialLas Vegas, NV0.8065Idaho, San Diego StateMay 11, 2020TE/LBTanner ArkinFossil RidgeFort Collins, CO 0.8153Penn, WyomingMay 12, 2020TEDrake MartinezSt. ThomasCypress, TX0.8269South FloridaApril 26, 2020OLJustin MichaelPoudreFort Collins, CO0.8281Dartmouth, Harvard, Hawaii, Kansas St., Montana St.,Nevada, YaleMay 8, 2020OLGeorge Miki-HanMater DeiSanta Ana, CA0.8322Bowling Green, Morgan StateApril 30, 2020DLGrady KellyNavarreNavarre, FL0.8227Cornell, Rice, SamfordMay 12, 2020DLClay NankeRegis JesuitDenver, CO0.8113Iowa State, Nevada, New Mexico, Northern Colorado,WyomingDecember 16, 2020DLTyler QuinnDuncanvilleDuncanville, TX0.8390Abilene Christian, Air Force, Alabama A&M, Army, Cornell,Fordham, Georgetown, Hawaii, Houston Baptist,Incarnate Word, Navy, Northern Arizona,Texas Southern, Texas St., Toledo, UNLVJune 4, 2020DLMukendi Wa-KalonjiGrandviewAurora, CO0.8173NevadaJune 2, 2020LBMalakai GrantFlagler Palm CoastPalm Coast, FL0.8058Austin Peay, South Alabama, UMassDecember 16, 2020DBLathan Adams †DeSotoWaxahachie, TX0.8431Arkansas St., Hawaii, Illinois St., Kansas, McNeese St.,Missouri St., SMU, Toledo, UNLVApril 13, 2020DBJack HowellHamiltonChandler, AZ0.8118New Mexico, New Mexico St., Northern ArizonaJune 15, 2020DBLangston WilliamsEaglecrestAurora, CO0.8173Army, WyomingMay 4, 2020DBBranden ColemanColumbusMiami, FL0.8357Army, Dartmouth, FIU, UCFDecember 16, 2020 *= 247Sports Composite rating; ratings are out of 1.00. (five stars= 1.00–.98, four stars= .97–.90, three stars= .80–.89, two stars= .79–.70, no stars= <70) †= Left the Colorado State program following signing but prior to the 2021 season.
The large recruiting class included six recruits from Colorado, three from both Texas and Florida, two from California and Nevada, and one from New Mexico, Massachusetts, and Arizona. One of the class's highest rated recruits, defensive back Branden Coleman, was a last-minute signing as he was previously committed to UCF and had not publicly shown interest towards Colorado State.
Staff
Coaching changes Offensive coordinator: Former offensive coordinator Joey Lynch left Colorado State to join Vanderbilt's coaching staff as their pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in January 2021. He was replaced by Wisconsin quarterbacks coach Jon Budmayr on February 4, 2021. Wide receivers coach: Former wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton was hired by Arkansas to be their next wide receivers coach in January 2021. He was replaced by Ball State wide receivers coach Alex Bailey on February 2, 2021.
2021 coaching staff Steve Addazio Head coach 2ndJon BudmayrOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach 1st Chuck Heater Defensive coordinator/safeties coach 2nd Antoine Smith Assistant head coach/defensive line coach 2nd Louie Addazio Offensive line coach 2nd Brian White Running backs coach2nd Alex Bailey Wide receivers coach 1st Cody Booth Tight ends coach 2nd Sean Cronin Linebackers coach 2nd Kap Dede Outside Linebackers/nickelbacks coach 2nd Anthony Perkins Cornerbacks coach 3rd Scott McLafferty Head strength and conditioning coach 2nd
Roster 2021 Colorado State Rams Football RosterQuarterbacks 4 Matt Valecce – Rs. Junior (Mamaroneck, NY) 7 Todd Centeio – Rs. Senior (West Palm Beach, FL) 12 Giles Pooler – Freshman (Louisville, KY) 15 Jonah O'Brien – Rs. Sophomore (Bartlett, IL) 17 Evan Olaes – Freshman (North Las Vegas, NV)
Running backs 1 A'Jon Vivens – Rs. Junior (Denver, CO) 5 David Bailey – Senior (Ridgely, MD) 27 Jaylen Thomas – Rs. Sophomore (Colorado Springs, CO) 28 Christian Hunter – Junior (Fontana, CA) 29 Alex Berrouet – Freshman (Acton, MA) 36 Kory Tacha – Freshman (Limon, CO) 37 Blake Beecher – Rs. Sophomore (Norco, CA) 38 Mason Veve – Freshman (Erie, CO) 47 David Aggrey – Rs. Junior (Bronx, NY)
Fullback 49 Cade Plath – Rs. Sophomore (Chanhassen, MN)
Wide receivers 2 Justice McCoy – Rs. Senior (New Orleans, LA) 3 E.J. Scott – Rs. Senior (Atlanta, GA) 6 Ty McCullouch – Junior (Moreno Valley, CA) 10 Jordan Kress – Grad. Student (Loveland, CO) 18 Thomas Pannunzio – Senior (Pueblo, CO) 22 Dante Wright – Junior (Navarre, FL) 24 Kyjuan Herndon – Rs. Freshman (Jacksonville, FL) 26 Logan Ludwig – Rs. Junior (Roxborough Park, CO) 39 Keenan Brown – Rs. Sophomore (Littleton, CO) 40 Dawson Menegatti – Rs. Freshman (Pueblo West, CO) 43 Jaseim Mitchell – Freshman (Colorado Springs, CO) 80 Damir Abdullah – Freshman (West Covina, CA) 81 Dane Olson – Rs. Sophomore (San Diego, CA) 83 Chris McEahern – Rs. Sophomore (Arvada, CO) 86 Gerick Robinson – Freshman (Las Vegas, NV)
Tight ends 16 Cam Butler – Grad. Student (Columbia, SC) 41 Tanner Arkin – Freshman (Fort Collins, CO) 44 Nick Picozzi – Rs. Junior (Collegeville, PA) 82 Dylan Walker – Rs. Freshman (Douglassville, PA) 84 Gary Williams – Rs. Junior (Charlotte, NC) 85 Trey McBride – Senior (Fort Morgan, CO) 87 Drake Martinez – Freshman (Cypress, TX) 88 Brian Polendey – Rs. Senior (Denton, TX)
Offensive linemen 50 Owen Snively – Rs. Freshman (Fremont, NH) 51 Justin Michael – Freshman (Fort Collins, CO) 52 Adam Korutz – Grad. Student (Johnson City, NY) 53 Elijah Johnson – Rs. Senior (Severn, MD) 55 Cam Reddy – Rs. Junior (Franklin, MA) 56 Ches Jackson – Rs. Junior (Tifton, GA) 58 George Miki-Han – Freshman (Irvine, CA) 59 Grant Stewartson – Rs. Freshman (Castle Pines, CO) 60 Cole Feinauer – Freshman (Cheshire, CT) 61 Sammy Norris – Freshman (Las Vegas, NV) 63 Alex Azusenis – Rs. Sophomore (Powell, OH) 65 Tautai Li'o Marks – Rs. Freshman (Santa Ana, CA) 69 Barry Wesley – Rs. Senior (Morrison, CO) 70 Joctavis Phillips – Rs. Senior (West Monroe, LA) 71 Brian Crespo-Jaquez – Rs. Freshman (Fort Collins, CO) 72 Dirk Nelson – Rs. Freshman (Visalia, CA) 73 Gage Gaynor – Sophomore (Parkland, FL) 76 Vincent Picozzi – Grad. Student (Collegeville, PA) 77 Keith Williams – Grad. Student (Baltimore, MD) 79 Tex Elliott – Rs. Freshman (Indianapolis, IN)
Defensive linemen 0 Toby McBride – Grad. Student (Fort Morgan, CO) 1 Scott Patchan – Grad. Student (Tampa, FL) 33 Manny Jones – Grad. Student (Cartersville, GA) 50 Cian Quiroga – Rs. Sophomore (Denver, CO) 54 Mike Ciaffoni – Rs. Sophomore (Sudbury, MA) 68 Cam Bariteau – Sophomore (Wareham, MA) 90 Grady Kelly – Freshman (Navarre, FL) 91 James Mitchell – Sophomore (Duncanville, TX) 92 Mukendi Wa-Kalonji – Freshman (Aurora, CO) 94 Devin Phillips – Senior (Monroe, LA) 95 Tyler Quinn – Freshman (Desoto, TX) 97 Clay Nanke – Freshman (Denver, CO)
Long snappers 46 Cody Pettitt – Freshman (Fort Collins, CO) 86 Ross Reiter – Senior (Phoenix, AZ)
Placekickers 35 Joe DeLine – Grad. Student (Steamboat Springs, CO) 93 Jonathan Terry – Rs. Junior (Castle Rock, CO) 95 Cayden Camper – Junior (Pueblo, CO)
Punters 41 Ryan Stonehouse – Grad. Student (La Verne, CA) Linebackers 5 Dequan Jackson – Senior (Jacksonville, FL) 12 Cam'Ron Carter – Senior (Tucker, GA) 13 Bam Amina – Sophomore (Waianae, HI) 15 Brandon Hickerson-Rooks – Rs. Senior (Harrisburg, PA) 30 Chase Wilson – Sophomore (Arvada, CO) 35 Aaron Moore – Sophomore (Oakland, TN) 36 Payton Polson – Rs. Sophomore (Highlands Ranch, CO) 39 Sanjay Strickland – Sophomore (Arvada, CO) 42 Mohamed Kamara – Junior (Newark, NJ) 43 Troy Golden – Rs. Junior (Orlando, FL) 45 Malakai Grant – Freshman (Palm Coast, FL) 46 Devon Edwards – Rs. Freshman (Mead, CO) 47 Anthony Koclanakis – Grad. Student (Yorba Linda, CA) 49 Drew Kulick – Freshman (Aurora, CO) 55 Tavian Brown – Rs. Sophomore (Demopolis, AL) 57 Elijah Jackson – Freshman (Hyrum, UT)
Defensive backs 4 Rashad Ajayi – Senior (Atlanta, GA) 7 Linwood Crump – Grad. Student (South Amboy, NJ) 8 Tywan Francis – Senior (New Orleans, LA) 9 Logan Stewart – Grad. Student (Loveland, CO) 11 Henry Blackburn – Sophomore (Boulder, CO) 14 Brandon Guzman – Rs. Freshman (Pasadena, CA) 17 Jack Howell – Freshman (Chandler, AZ) 19 Branden Coleman – Rs. Freshman (Miami, FL) 20 Langston Williams – Freshman (Aurora, CO) 23 Mikell Harvey – Rs. Junior (Slidell, LA) 24 Duante Davis – Freshman (Windsor, CO) 25 Robert Floyd – Freshman (Pompano Beach, FL) 26 Marshaun Cameron – Grad. Student (Los Angeles, CA) 32 Liam Huber – Freshman (Erie, CO) 34 Titus Jones – Rs. Sophomore (Kingston, GA) 38 Griffin Vander Waerdt – Rs. Freshman (Parker, CO) Rs.= Redshirted in a previous season.
2021 Colorado State Football Roster
Pipeline states States with five or more recruits on the 2021 roster: Colorado (36 recruits) California (12 recruits) Florida (11 recruits) Georgia (6 recruits) Louisiana (5 recruits)
Schedule
Results gathered from CSU and ESPN.
Game summaries
No. 3 (FCS) South Dakota State
650 days after fans had last been present in Canvas Stadium, the Rams opened the 2021 football season on September 3, 2021, against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in front of a crowd of 32,327. The game, which was scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm Mountain Time, was delayed by 45 minutes due to rain and lightning. An eager crowd, especially in the student section, ignored requests to vacate the stadium and shelter from the storm.
The game began slowly for both teams and the game remained scoreless until 2:22 in the first quarter, when South Dakota State running back Pierre Strong Jr. recorded a 48-yard touchdown run. CSU answered with a touchdown from running back David Bailey before the Jackrabbits pulled away, scoring two more touchdowns before halftime. The Rams trailed 21–10 at halftime, and by the end of the third quarter, South Dakota State's lead was up to 35–10. The Rams scored two touchdowns (one with a failed two-point conversion) in the fourth quarter, but the Jackrabbits' lead was already too large. South Dakota State won 42-23 and the Rams fell to 0–1 on the season.