The 2025 All-Colorado football team, as selected by The Denver Post staff based on statistical analysis, relative value to team success, postseason production and the old-fashioned eye test.
Zeke Andrews
QB | Ralston Valley | Sr. | 6-foot-6 | 210 pounds
The driving force behind RV’s undefeated season and first title appearance, Andrews killed opposing teams with his arm and his legs. He threw for 2,869 yards and 26 touchdowns with a 133.5 QBR, and also ran for 811 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Kellen Behrendsen
QB | Dakota Ridge | Sr. | 5-11 | 150
Behrendsen was a primary factor in the Eagles’ first title, a 14-0 season in which Dakota Ridge was never really challenged. The MVP of the Class 4A title game threw for 3,393 yards and 43 touchdowns, including 289 yards and five TDs in the championship.
Marquise Reese
QB | Mountain Vista | Jr. | 6-3 | 200
No Austyn Modrzewski, no problem. After Mountain Vista graduated its star QB from last year, Reese stepped seamlessly into the void. He led Class 5A in passing with 3,314 yards and 44 touchdowns to help the Golden Eagles reach the semifinals.
DJ Bordeaux
QB | Legend | Sr. | 6-2 | 200
The UCLA signee made the most of his one season in Parker as an X-factor on the Titans’ Class 5A quarterfinal team. Bordeaux threw for 2,162 yards and 29 touchdowns with a 124.3 QBR, and also racked up 798 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Brady Vodicka
QB | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-2 | 220
The Louisiana Tech signee was a four-year starter for the Bruins, playing in four Class 5A state championship games for Cherry Creek and winning three of them. Vodicka, the title game MVP, threw for 3,081 yards and 40 touchdowns with a 138.5 QBR.
Elijah Womack
RB | Montrose | Sr. | 6-1 | 210
After leading the state in rushing in ’24, the Montrose star followed it up with an encore performance. He was difficult to slow down even when the other team knew what was coming. He had 2,157 rushing yards with 33 TDs, and 10.22 yards per carry.
Jack McKeon
RB | Fort Collins | Sr. | 5-10 | 205
The state’s all-classification rushing leader with 2,197 yards, McKeon had 27 touchdowns and was the centerpiece of the Lambkins’ playoff appearance. He averaged 7.32 yards per carry and the workhorse had 11 games with at least 100 yards.
Jayden Fox
RB | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 5-10 | 175
The UCLA signee and Colorado Gatorade player of the year was the catalyst for the Bruins’ offense. Dynamic in space and capable of being physical too, Fox ran for 1,746 yards and 26 touchdowns with an eye-popping 14.2 yards per carry.
Maxwell Lovett
WR | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-1 | 185
The Kansas State signee was Vodicka’s top receiving threat. He had 45 catches for 866 yards and eight touchdowns, good for a 19.2 average. The speedster had several catches in the Class 5A championship that helped fuel the blowout of Ralston Valley.
Brooklyn Bailey
WR | Mountain Vista | Jr. | 5-11 | 165
A two-way star for the Golden Eagles who also was a lockdown cornerback, Bailey was Reese’s favorite target. Bailey had 57 catches for 1,312 yards and 20 touchdowns, and averaged 100.9 yards per game. He could run by, or head-top, any cornerback.
Ethan Shirazi
WR | Ralston Valley | Sr. | 6-2 | 180
The Mustangs’ Swiss Army Knife did everything for RV, including serving as Andrews’ primary target. Shirazi had 53 catches for 1,116 yards and 12 TDs, plus was the team’s best corner. And to top it off, he led Colorado with a 52.3-yard punting average.
Ty Goettsche
TE | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-6 | 225
The BYU signee was nearly impossible to guard — linebackers were too slow, and defensive backs were too short. A cheat code in the second level, Goettsche had 27 catches for 603 yards and 11 touchdowns and came up big in the Bruins’ playoff run.
Mason Bonner
TE | Mullen | Sr. | 6-6 | 210
The Michigan signee was a pillar of a resurgent Mustangs program that won eight games and made the Class 5A quarterfinals. Bonner led Mullen with 47 catches for 767 yards and six TDs; averaged 16.3 yards per catch and also starred at defensive end.
Camden Jensen
TE | Heritage | Sr. | 6-6 | 250
The UCLA signee has been one of the more dominant players in the state for a while, and continued that trend in ’25. Jensen was a leader on Heritage’s Class 4A semifinal team. A dominant blocker on the edge; had 29 catches for 313 yards, 3 TDs.
Deacon Schmitt
OL | Windsor | Sr. | 6-5 | 320
The Oklahoma signee helped the Wizards to the Class 3A title game. The right tackle’s physicality set him apart, and he helped pave the way for a pair of 1,000-yard rushers in running back Adrian Czyszczon and quarterback Mason Moore.
Oliver Miller
OL | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-6 | 300
The Kansas State signee was a pillar of a Bruins O-line that didn’t have any weak points. Miller, the Bruins’ right tackle, helped create huge holes for Fox’s stellar season and also gave Vodicka plenty of time to sit in the pocket and pick defenses apart.
Kannon Smith
OL | Valor Christian | Sr. | 6-5 | 300
The USC signee was central in Valor Christian’s return trip to the Class 5A semifinals, where the Eagles nearly upset Cherry Creek. Smith played well at left tackle against the Bruins’ vaunted defensive front; he’ll switch to center when he gets to college.
Mason Bandhauer
OL | Fort Collins | Sr. | 6-6 | 295
The Iowa State signee starred at left tackle for the Lambkins. McKeon’s status as the state’s leading rusher is a credit to Bandhauer, who plowed D-linemen in the Front Range North league. His size is matched by his athleticism in the trenches.
Tripp Skewes
OL | Kent Denver | Sr. | 6-6 | 280
The Vanderbilt signee was a force at left tackle for the Sun Devils, helping the team to eight wins. Skewes protected the blind side of Kent Denver star quarterback Yianni Balafas, and Skewes also played defensive end with 56 total tackles (six for loss).
Josiah Manu
OL | Thompson Valley | Sr. | 6-5 | 295
The CU signee has been a stalwart on both sides of the Thompson Valley line for the past four years. He played left guard for the Eagles — in one game, he pancaked a lineman into a linebacker, taking them both out — and also defensive end (39 tackles).
Jace Winchester
OL | Dakota Ridge | Sr. | 6-3 | 290
The Idaho signee missed the first five games with a foot injury, but bounced back to be a centerpiece of the Eagles’ offensive front. A right tackle, he powered Dakota Ridge’s outside zone running, including springing multiple rushing TDs in the title.
Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais
DL | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-3 | 310
The Washington signee has been an impact player for four seasons on the Cherry Creek juggernaut. Nearly unblockable, “TI” racked up 112 total tackles (17 for loss) with four sacks as he stuffed the run and consistently pressured the quarterback.
Brody Sieck
DL | Arapahoe | Sr. | 6-2 | 220
The Air Force pledge led all classifications with 17.5 sacks as a physical, athletic and speedy force off the edge. A captain on an Arapahoe team that made the second round of the playoffs, the dynamic Sieck had 97 total tackles, including 27 for loss.
Corbin Wade
DL | Green Mountain | Sr. | 6-5 | 245
The UC Davis signee was a wrecking ball. He tallied 35 tackles, including a 13.5 for loss as he consistently made life for opposing running backs a nightmare. The all-around athlete was the 3A West Metro League player of the year.
Braylon Hodge
LB | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-3 | 215
The Oregon signee averaged 11.1 tackles, tops on the Bruins, en route to 111 total tackles (nine for loss). A disruptor at multiple levels of the defense, Hodge could stop the run and he excelled in coverage. One of Colorado’s top Class of 2026 recruits.
Jaxon Pyatt
LB | Arvada West | Sr. | 6-2 | 220
The Cal signee was a driving force behind A-West’s re-emergence on the Class 5A scene over the past couple years as the Wildcats made the quarterfinals in 2025. Pyatt had 110 tackles, 11.5 for loss and four sacks as a fast, bruising linebacker.
Brody Flores
LB | Grandview | Sr. | 6-2 | 195
The Utah State signee was the best defensive player on Grandview’s playoff team. He had 85 tackles, including 14 for loss and 12 sacks as he made a habit of getting home to both the running back and quarterback. A versatile defender who can close fast.
Lincoln Hageman
LB | Erie | Sr. | 6-3 | 195
The Northern Colorado signee — and younger brother of Carson Hageman, a 2024 All-Colorado selection — was the pillar of the Erie defense as the Tigers made it back to the playoffs. Lincoln had 123 tackles, including 17 for loss, three sacks and a pick.
Atticus Tillman
DB | Arvada West | Sr. | 6-2 | 170
The CSU signee made it tough on opposing quarterbacks, especially in tandem with fellow cornerback Jaiden Nichols. Tillman had 59 tackles, an interception and five passes defensed as quarterbacks were timid to throw in his lanky, athletic direction.
Tanner Gray
LB | Wellington | Sr. | 6-3 | 230
The Nevada signee was the frontman for the Eagles’ recently revived program that crushed its Class 2A competition in a 13-0 championship season. On defense, he had 63 tackles (24 for loss) and nine sacks, plus 1,456 yards and 16 TDs on offense.
Noah Meurer
DB | Arvada West | Sr. | 6-0 | 180
The Northern Colorado signee was another key piece in a dominant Wildcats secondary. Meurer had 36 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a pick, plus he excelled on the offensive side with 69 catches for 1,109 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Tate Matthews
DB | Cherry Creek | Sr. | 6-2 | 210
Matthews was a playmaker inside the box and out of it as the Bruins’ rover. Matthews had a team-best 135 sacks, including 10 for loss and three sacks, plus three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, one of which clinched the Bruins’ semifinal win.
Toray Davis
ATH | Fairview | Sr. | 6-2 | 190
The Texas signee was a touchdown waiting to happen. The tailback/wideout/cornerback/safety/returner was the Knights’ Boobie Miles. He had eight TDs — in one game — and led the state with 39 scores. He finished 2025 with 2,471 all-purpose yards.
Elian Oliva
ATH | Northfield | Sr. | 6-1 | 190
The Air Force pledge and 2025 Gold Helmet Award winner for his play combined with his accomplishments in the classroom and the community did everything for the Nighthawks. He had 114 tackles (15.5 for loss) plus seven sacks as a roving linebacker.
Ryken Banks
ATH | Legend | Sr. | 6-1 | 195
The Wyoming signee was the other engine along with Bordeaux behind the Titans’ quarterfinal run. Banks played running back, wideout and safety, excelling equally at all three positions. He had 1,227 yards rushing, 472 yards receiving and 25 total TDs.
Landon Kalsbeck
ATH | Dakota Ridge | Sr. | 6-2 | 215
The Washington State signee, the state’s most complete two-way player, was the backbone of Dakota Ridge’s rise over the past couple seasons that culminated in the title. He had 1,035 yards rushing, 111 tackles (18 for loss), seven sacks and 23 total TDs.
Emmitt Munson
ATH | Pomona | Sr. | 6-0 | 175
The standout football player and wrestler was a linchpin in Pomona winning its third state title. He had 883 all-purpose yards with 10 touchdowns on offense, and on defense he was Big Black’s leading tackler with 95 total tackles, including 11 for loss.
Luis Santana
ATH | Pomona | Sr. | 5-8 | 175
The other driving force behind Pomona’s title run, the CHSAA Class 3A player of the year had 1,111 yards and eight TDs by ground plus 348 yards and four TDs receiving. On defense, tallied 36 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries.
Cash Spence
ATH | Valor Christian | Sr. | 5-10 | 180
The Colorado School of Mines commit did everything for Valor Christian over the past couple years en route to consecutive Class 5A semifinal appearances. The wideout/safety/returner had 1,349 all-purpose yards, 12 TDs, 41 tackles and two picks.
Luke Brust
K | Valor Christian | Jr. | 5-11 | 160
The Eagles’ reliable leg expanded the scoring reach of the Valor Christian offense all fall. Brust was 7 of 9 on his field goals, including a long of 41, and converted all 65 of his extra point opportunities as he tallied 86 total points on the season.
Coach of the Year
Johnson completed Pomona’s return to the mountaintop for the first time since 2017, when Big Black won in Class 5A. With a no-nonsense approach, Johnson got the most out of his roster as Pomona beat Windsor 17-14 in the 3A title on a walk-off field goal.
Honorable Mention
Quarterback: Ki Ellison, Jr., Fairview; Thomas Buckmiller, Sr., Coronado; Logan Duhachek, Sr., Arvada West; Tucker Ingersoll, Jr., Pomona; Yianni Balafas, Sr., Kent Denver.
Running back: Chase Hanosh, Sr., Valor Christian; Milo Pascual, Sr., Roosevelt; Braylon Toliver, Sr., Erie; Colton Lucero, Sr., Pagosa Springs; Xavier Lukes, Jr., Pine Creek; Mo Thenell, Sr., Heritage.
Wideout: Nico Benallo, Sr., Ralston Valley; Levi Rillos, Jr., Ralston Valley; Landon Drumm, Sr., Arapahoe; Kellen Marchand, Jr., Legend; Jackson Coleman, Jr., Valor Christian; Lyrik Smith, Sr., Coronado; Kobe Dooley, Sr., Mesa Ridge; Nathan Rodriguez, Sr., Dakota Ridge; Isaiah Watson, Sr., Vista PEAK Prep.
Tight end: Gabe Sema, Sr., Erie; Anthony Betti, Sr., Cherry Creek; Matthew Schimberg, Jr., Grandview; Caleb Camping, Jr., Fossil Ridge.
Offensive line: Reis Russell, Jr., Valor Christian; Colby Stroup, Sr., Pomona; Pierce Decker, Sr., Poudre; Evan Haines, Sr., Broomfield; Cayden Lee, Sr. Cherry Creek; Everett Capehart, Jr., Ponderosa; Owen Twesme, Sr., Palmer Ridge; Noah Stratton, Sr., Roosevelt; Keagan Mellott, Sr., Limon; Owen Cheatham, Sr., Durango; Jackson Roper, Jr., Cherry Creek.
Defensive line: Caden Holles, Sr., Cherry Creek; Adrian Lee, Sr., Mountain Vista; Austin Blattner, Sr., Ralston Valley; Will Monroe, Sr., Columbine; Luca Tucci, Sr., Pueblo County; Caleb Fay, Sr., Kent Denver; Colton Ott, Soph., Fairview.
Linebacker: Connor Gilchrist, Sr., Arapahoe; Maverick Powers, Sr., Montrose; Evan Ingalls, Soph., Valor Christian; Carter Woods, Sr., Mead; Isaiah Cronk, Sr., Windsor; Zane Bath, Sr., Thomas Jefferson.
Defensive back: Jaiden Nichols, Sr., Arvada West; Jack Offerdahl, Sr., Dakota Ridge; Damarius Lavender, Sr., Cherry Creek; Brandon Wright, Jr., Valor Christian; Logan Singer, Jr., Regis Jesuit; Gavin Berninzoni, Sr., Ponderosa.
Athlete: Ethan Mangrum, Jr., Sand Creek; Zak Crisler, Jr., Palmer Ridge; Jeter McArthur, Sr., Riverdale Ridge; Mark Snyder, Sr., Columbine; Channing Fox, Sr., Valor Christian; Sabi Ruttgers, Sr., Fairview; Quentin Torres, Sr., Forge Christian.
Kicker: Jack Manthey, Sr., Regis Jesuit; Landon Plichta, Jr., Ralston Valley; Chase Keaton, Jr., Pomona; Oliver Hansen, Sr., Holy Family.