MESA STATE MAVERICKS
ANNOUNCE 2002 FOOTBALL SIGNEES
February 7, 2002

Grand Junction, Colo.-Mesa State College football coach Joe Ramunno and staff have announced the signing of 18 high school football players, 14 from Colorado, including 10 other verbal commitments.
Included in the group is 4A Player of the Year and first team all-state running back Andy Coren (5-10, 185, RB) from Fruita Monument High School. Coren rushed for over 2,000 yards, was a finalist for the 2001 Colorado Gold Helmet award and received the 2002 Gatorade All Academic Award while posting a 4.0 GPA. "We are elated to get a football player of Andy Coren's caliber. We feel he is one of the top running backs in the state, and we feel he can come in and help contribute immediately," said Coach Ramunno.

The Mavericks signed western slope products Shawn Ficklin (6-5, 275, OL) from Nucla and Ryan Whittington (6-0, 195, QB) from Rifle. Ficklin, a two-time all-state selection, helped lead the Mustangs to the 2000 2A State Championship. "Shawn has great quickness and should make an immediate impact for the Mavericks," said Ramunno. Whittington was an honorable mention all-state selection at quarterback and is one of the top state 3A wrestlers. "Ryan is a great all-around athlete who passed for over 1,000 yards and rushed for over 600 yards in his junior and senior season," said Ramunno.

The Mavericks signed Gabe Collier (6-0, 180, DB) from Northridge High School in Layton, Utah. Gabe helped lead Riverton High School (Riverton, WY), to the 3A State Championship as a junior. His senior year he transferred to Northridge and helped them to the Utah 5A State Championship. A two-time all state performer in football and hockey, he was a Super 25 honorable mention football selection at Riverton HS. "Gabe is a tremendous athlete who will help our team as both a cover corner and a return specialist. His speed will be a great asset to our program," added Coach Ramunno.

MSC signed five offensive lineman, including Casey Simler (6-3, 230, OL) from Rampart High School in Colorado Springs. Simler is a second team all-state selection and one of the top offensive lineman prospects for the Mavericks. Doug Atkinson (6-1, 240, OL) from Box Elder High School in Utah, Chad Cooper (6-2, 250, OL) from Broomfield and David Youngquist (6-3, 260, OL) from Grandview High School in Aurora.

The coaching staff addressed their immediate needs, which was at the lineman position, and believe this may be the best class of recruits in their five years. The Mavericks also improved at the tight end position and the overall team speed.