CSM FOOTBALL INKS 21 TO NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT

GOLDEN, Colo. - Colorado School of Mines Head Football Coach Bob Stitt announced the signing of 21 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, Feb. 7, the first day of the signing period. The 2007 recruiting class is comprised of players from four states, including 14 individuals from Colorado.

"We are very excited to have our third straight class of more than 20 kids," CSM Head Coach Bob Stitt said. "This class combined with our last two classes will give us the type of depth that we have not had during our tenure here."

The CSM football team is slated to open the 2007 season on Sept. 1 with a 12:00 pm game against Washburn at Brooks Field.

-- OREDIGGERS --

Following is a complete list of the players signed by Colorado School of Mines on Wednesday

OLUBUNMI ADETUTU
Cornerback, 5-9, 175
Austin, Texas/McNeil
Lettered in football and track and McNeil ... named to the Academic all-district and all-state teams ... recorded times in the 40-yard dash (4.41), bench press (215), verticle (32'') and squat (405).

RYAN EREKSON
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back, 6-1, 186
Henderson, Nev./Foothill
Lettered in football, basketball and track ... was a two-way starter in all-star game ... caught 21 passes for more than 600 yards (30.8 ypc) and 11 touchdowns ... has 38 tackles and posted four interceptions ... returned two picks for touchdowns ... tallied two kick return touchdowns ... named First Team All-Division and All-Conference as wide receiver and cornerback.

KYLE FROETSCHEL
Offensive Line, 6-3, 265
El Paso, Texas/Coronado
Earned Second Team Academic All-State honors as a senior ... member of El Paso Senior All-Star Game as a senior ... named MVP of offensive line in that all star game ... first team all-city as a senior ... Texas High School Football Region 1 Second Team Offense Preseason pick prior to senior season ... 5A TexasFootball.com 2006 Super List for offensive line ... 5A Honorable Mention All-District as offensive lineman in 2005.

CLAY GARCIA
Quarterback, 6-0, 215
Alamosa, Colo./Alamosa
Earned the coveted Denver Post 2006 Gold Helmet Award which is given to the top senior football player, scholar and citizen in Colorado... named to All-Colorado Team ... selected as 3A Player of the Year, as well as the All-Valley Player of the Year and South Metro Player of the Year ... all-conference selection ... Colorado Hall of Fame Player of the Year and National Football Foundation Award winner ... threw for more than 4,000 yards 52 touchdowns in leading team to state title as a senior ... threw for 419 yards and five scores in the state championship game win as a senior ... has been selected to all-conference and all-state teams in baseball ... ranked first academically in his class.

GAILON GREENE
Running Back, 5-8, 180
Lakewood, Colo./Green Mountain
Earned letters in football as running back and linebacker ... won team MVP award ... served as team captian as a junior and senior ... earned honorable mention all-conference honors ... also lettered in track ... competed in four events during the state championships ... all-conference honoree for three seasons ... league winner in three events leading to League Championship.

KAITHER HOLIWAY
Wide Receiver, 6-3, 195
Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County
Was named to all-conference first team as a junior and senior ... helped lead team to state championship as a junior ... led team in pass receptions.

ALEX HUTCHINSON
Running Back/Linebacker, 5-10, 180
Stapleton, Neb./Stapleton Public
Lettered in football and track ... named to all-state team ... named area all-class Defensive Player of the Year ... three-time selection to all-district team ... served as team captain and was named team MVP ... state qualifier in track.

ZACH KELLER
Offensive Line, 6-4, 260
Bridgeport, Texas/Bridgeport
Lettered in football, basketball and track at Bridgeport ... selected to all-district honorable mention team ... named offensive line most valuable player.

SCOTT McMANIGAL
Wide Receiver/Tight End, 6-4, 205
Colorado Springs, Colo./Wasson
Lettered in football, basketball and track at Wasson ... was first team all-conference as a tight end in 2005 ... first team all-conference as a punter in 2006 ... earned second team all-area accolades as a tight end in 2006 ... named 2006 Wasson Offensive Player of the Year ... caught 40 career balls for 700 yards and five scores ... named academic all-state in 2005 and 2006.

ANDY NAPPO
Wide Receiver, 6-1, 160
Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County
Lettered in football and wrestling at Douglas County ... played varsity football his final two seasons ... earned Centennial League Honorable Mention honors as a wide receiver his senior year ... caught more than 30 balls for 600 plus yards and five touchdowns ... honorable mention in wrestling as a freshman ... was second team all-conference as a sophomore.

ALLEN NOBLE
Defensive Back, 6-0, 180
Centennial, Colo./Eaglecrest
Earned three varsity letters in football and three varsity letters in basketball at Eaglecrest ... ran a 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and recorded a 42 inch vertical jump.

ALEX OESTERLE
Quarterback/Free Safety, 6-1, 191
Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty
Lettered in football and baseball at Doherty ... helped lead football team to Rotary Championship, as well as Classroom Championship ... earned all-conference accolades in football and baseball ... led baseball team to Rotary Championship ... also earned all-state honors in baseball.

MARK POWELL, JR.
Defensive End, 6-5, 210
Greenwood, Neb./Ashland-Greenwood
Lettered in football ... earned first team all-state accolades ... was a two-time All-Omaha Area First Team selection ... two-time all-district first team honoree ... selected to first team all-area squad ... recorded 144 tackles and 20 sacks over two seasons ... led Nebraska in all classes in 2005 with 12 sacks ... led team in quarterback hurries, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries ... named team Most Improved Player and Co-Teammate of the Year ... served as captain his senior year.

ERIC PROPST
Offensive Line, 6-4, 215
Brighton, Colo./Faith Christian
Named to 2006 All-Conference and All-State 2A Football Team ... 2005 Second Team All-Conference ... named 2006 Team Offensive Line MVP ... named to 2006 Western State All-Camp Team as one of the top 45 players out of 550 ... National Honor Society Member ... lettered three years in football ... helped lead team to a pair of 2A State championships (2004 and 2006) ... led team to league titles in 2005 and 2006 ... team was third best in Colorado football in all classifications in 2006.

TUCKER REDDY
Linebacker/Strong Safety, 5-9, 188
Larkspur, Colo./Douglas County
Lettered in football at Douglas County ... earned first team all-conference accolades as a linebacker in 2006 ... finished third on team in tackles ... was a 2005 second team all-conference pick when he led team in tackles ... member of honor roll ... senior class representative on student council.

IAN REITHER
Linebacker, 6-1, 190
Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County
Lettered four years in football and two years in track and field ... helped lead team to a pair of conference titles ... earned first team all-conference accolades ... led team to 2005 5A state championship ... totaled 121 tackles as a senior ... named to academic honor roll four years ... member of National Honor Society.

JOSHUA RUFF
Linebacker, 6-0, 200
Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County
Lettered in football four years ... earned second team all-conference accolades as a junior and senior ... helped lead team to 2005 5A State Championship ... served as team captain as a senior ... member of National Honor Society ... Math Scholar of the Year as a sophomore.

JORDAN SMITH
Running Back, 6-0, 235
Littleton, Colo./Chatfield
Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference accolades ... recorded 55 carries for 270 yards and two touchdowns as a senior ... registered four catches for 42 yards out of the backfield ... posted 31 tackles.

ALEX VIGIL
Safety, 6-1, 176
Arvada, Colo./Faith Christian
Earned three letters in football as a varsity starter ... helped lead team to state titles as a sophomore and senior ... led state in interceptions (10) as a junior ... earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference and Defensive Player of the Year accolades as a senior ... voted team captain ... totaled 128 tackles, five interceptions, one sack and two punt blocks as a senior ... qualified for state track championships.

MIKE WHITNEY
Wide Receiver, 5-11, 180
Castle Rock, Colo./Douglas County
Lettered in varsity football all four years ... 2005 Honorable Mention All-Conference and 2006 Second Team All-Conference ... led team to 2005 5A State Championship ... lettered in track four years ... named Sprinter of the Year as a senior ... placed 10th in the state as part of the 4x100 relay team ... four-year member of the academic honor roll.

EVAN WOODY
Offensive Line, 6-4, 260
Austin, Texas/A.N. McCallum
Lettered in football and basketball ... 2005 Honorable Mention All-District ... selected to 2006 All-District First Team and Second Team All-Central Texas ... academic all-state honorable mention ... playing in Central Texas Arena League All Star Game.