GREELEY, Colo.- University of Northern Colorado head football coach O. Kay Dalton and his staff announced today the signing of 22 high school recruits on the first day of the national signing period. Included in the Class of 2004 are five players who were named first-team all-state by either the Rocky Mountain News or the Denver Post. The Bears were able to capture 18 in-state players and landed four out-of-state recruits.

Heading the list of all-state selections is All-Colorado running back Patrick Ealy (5'8", 181 pounds) of Denver, Colo./Denver South HS. Ealy averaged 11 yards per carry and scored 32 touchdowns, while racking up 1,798 yards as a senior. Ealy also returned seven kicks for touchdowns in 2003.

Joining Ealy as first-team all-state selections from Colorado are WR Jerod Ermel (Fountain, Colo./Fountain-Fort Carson HS) and WR Jeremy Ashida (Ordway, Colo./Crowley County HS). Ermel ranked fifth in the state of Colorado with 999 receiving yards. Ashida is a two-time all-state pick and ranked third in the state in overall receiving yardage. UNC also signed OL Abraham (Abe) Medeiros Jr. (Papaikou, Hawaii/Hilo HS) and Mark Rodden (Jones, Okla./Heritage Hall HS), two out-of-state players who earned all-state honors in their respective states.

Comments from Coach O. Kay Dalton

On recruiting Division I talent:
"Every kid we signed was recruited by other Division I schools. The players we are going after are top-notch football talents. Having our players go 9-2 last season and ranked No. 19 in the final polls certainly helps us but we sell the program and the University as a whole."

On where an emphasis during the recruiting occurred:
"We put an emphasis on offensive linemen, quarterbacks and linebackers in this recruiting period. I think we signed some top-notch offensive linemen and quarterbacks. We came out short on the linebacker side but we lost those players to other Division I programs."

On the class as a whole:
"Overall, we have a very good recruiting class for 2004. All of the credit should go to the rest of our coaches because they evaluated close to 600 prospects either on tape or in person. For us to come out with 22 players, these should be elite players that we are signing today."

UNC Football Recruiting Class of 2004 Breakdown

Total Signees: 22

By State
Colorado - 18
California - 1
Hawaii - 1
Oklahoma - 1
Texas - 1

By Position
Offensive Linemen - 5
Wide Receivers - 4
Quarterback - 3
Defensive Backs - 3
Linebackers - 2
Defensive Linemen - 2
Tight Ends - 1
Running Backs - 1
Fullbacks - 1

All-Colorado Selections: 1
1st Team All-State Selections: 5

Two-time all-state selection at Crowley County HS ... a first-team all-state (Class A) as a senior by the Rocky Mountain News ... averaged 30 yards per catch and ranked third in the state in overall receiving yards ... recorded a 4.5 40-yard dash time. High school coach: Randy Reeves. Parents: Jerry and Julie Ashida. Birthdate: April 18, 1986.

Possesses blazing speed with a 4.35 40-yard dash time ... has the toughness and ability to tackle that has the Bears' coaching staff excited ... should be a significant contributor at cornerback for the Bears at the I-AA level. High school coach: Jeff Sweet. Parent: Sylvia Morsel. Birthdate: December 31, 1985.

Big school Player of the Year as selected by the Colorado Springs Gazette ... honorable mention all-state pick by the Rocky Mountain News ... played quarterback as a senior at Palmer HS ... played tight end as a junior. High school coach: Rod Baker. Parents: Joe and Lynn Chesla. Birthdate: March 24, 1986.

An all-conference performer at Broomfield HS ... excellent run blocker ... anchored Broomfield's offensive line as a senior. High school coach: Gary Davies. Parents: Dan and Ellen Christensen. Birthdate: Aug. 16, 1985.

An honorable mention all-state selection by the Rocky Mountain News ... menacing defensive lineman for Smoky Hill HS ... has exceptional speed (4.7 40-yard dash) despite his size. High school coach: Steve Carroll. Parents: Joe Douglas and Debbie Hicks. Birthdate: Feb. 10, 1986.

An All-Colorado pick by the Rocky Mountain News as a kick returner ... first-team all-state (Class 5A) selection ... led Class 5A by averaging 11.0 yards per carry and scored 32 touchdowns ... racked up 1,798 yards as a senior ... also returned seven kicks for touchdowns as a senior and 13 kick returns for touchdowns in his career. High school coach: Ryan Mullaney. Parents: Willie Ealy and Cheryl Payne. Birthdate: Oct. 15, 1985.

First-team all-state (Class 3A) selection at wide receiver by the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post ... ranked fifth in the state and first in Class 3A with 999 receiving yards ... caught 52 passes as a senior ... all-conference (Southern League) and Gazette all-area performer as a senior. High school coach: Mitch Johnson. Parents: Rod Ermel and Shirley Miles. Birthdate: Jan. 2, 1986.

Helped lead Overland HS to the Class 5A championship game as a senior ... rushed for over 1,000 yards as a senior on the offensive side of the ball ... possesses speed, athleticism and size, which are ideal for a cornerback. High school coach: Tony Manfredi. Parents: Vic and rancine Hayes. Birthdate: Jan. 1, 1986.

Second-team all-state (Class 5A) by the Rocky Mountain News ... led the state in passing with 2,361 yards ... led Montbello to an undefeated Denver Prep League championship ... has pure passing ability and pocket poise. High school coach: Oliver Lucas. Parents: Franklin and Jesse Henderson. Birthdate: Nov. 5, 1985.

Anchored the offensive line and led Mullen HS to a playoff berth as a senior ... powered the Mustangs to an undefeated regular season and Centennial League championship. High school coach: Dave Logan. Parents: Derek and Lora Henkowski. Birthdate: Feb. 19, 1986.

An honorable mention all-state (Class 5A) pick by the Rocky Mountain News ... all-conference performer in football and track at Poudre HS ... ranked 8th in 5A in receiving yardage (avg. nearly 14 yards per catch). High school coach: Rich Yonker. Parents: David and Sue Jestes. Birthdate: July 11, 1985.

An honorable mention all-state (Class 2A) pick by the Rocky Mountain News ... named Linebacker of the Year for the Tri-Peaks League ... flies to the football ... uses great instincts and tenacity to bring opponents to the turf. High school coach: Paul Passno. Parents: Steve and Mary Ellen Kenney. Birthdate: April 23, 1985.

Second-team all-district selection in the largest district in south Texas ... averaged 12 tackles per game ... served as team captain ... voted his team's defensive player of the year by his teammates. High school coach: Irl Kincaid. Parents: John and Sherry Lewis. Birthdate: Oct. 3, 1985.

Led Boulder HS to a berth in the Class 5A playoffs with a 7-4 record as a senior ... all-county pick ... all-conference selection ... named the conference player of the year. High school coach: Bob Carskie. Parents: Walt and Sharon McNiece. Birthdate: Aug. 28, 1985.

Abraham (Abe) Medeiros, OL
6' 4", 268 pounds
Papaikou, Hawaii (Hilo High School)

First-team all-state pick as a senior at Hilo HS ... all-conference performer ... served as team captain ... all-conference track athlete ... over-powering run blocker ... possesses excellent technique. High school coach: Albert Kawelu. Parents: Abraham & Donna Medeiros. Birthdate: March 16, 1986.

Excelled as a two-way player for Arapahoe HS ... able to stretch defenses as a receiver ... also excelled on special teams as the Warriors' punt and kickoff return specialist. High school coach: Mike Campbell. Parents: Chris and Marie Mullen. Birthdate: June 21, 1985.

Mark Rodden, OL
6' 2", 260 pounds
Jones, Okla. (Heritage Hall High School)

First-team all-state (Class 2A) selection at Heritage Hall HS ... named the district's offensive lineman of the year ... voted his team's most valuable player ... served as team captain ... dominates the line of scrimmage. High school coach: Tracy Holland. Parents: Mark and Katherine Rodden. Birthdate: Feb. 15, 1985.

Led Fruita Monument to the state playoffs as a senior ... notched 113 combined tackles and 10 sacks ... like a motor that just keeps running ... would be a perfect contributor to an explose UNC defensive line. High school coach: Bill Moore. Parents: Mark and Linda Mulleady. Birthdate: July 21, 1985.

An honorable mention all-state (Class 4A) pick by the Rocky Mountain News ... his ability to run sidelien to sidline is unmatched ... a leader on and off the field ... helped lead Lakewood HS to a winning season as a senior. High school coach: Mark Robinson. Parents: Michael Sarmento and Carolyn Doran. Birthdate: Feb. 5, 1986.

Second-team all-state (Class 5A) selection by the Rocky Mountain News ... first-team all-conference pick ... one of the main anchors on the offensive line for Dakota Ridge HS ... size and athletic ability make him ideal as a Bears' offensive lineman. High school coach: Ron Woitalewicz. Parents: Mike and Jane Stant. Birthdate: Oct. 5, 1985.

Helped North HS to a 7-4 record and a berth in the state playoffs as a senior ... the No. 1-ranked passer in the Southwest Yosemite League ... earned a spot on the all-area team ... completed 77-of-115 passes for 1,611 yards and nine touchdowns. High school coach: Mike Snow. Parents: Bob Stone and Elissa Ladd. Birthdate: Dec. 10, 1985.

Tyler Ward, FB
5' 11", 219 pounds
Colorado Springs, Colo. (Cheyenne Mountain High School)

A 2002 graduate of Cheyenne Mountain HS ... attended Air Force Prep Academy after graduation ... currently attending UNC as of the spring 2003 semester ... all-state and all-league performer at Cheyenne Mountain HS. High school coach: Tom Ward. Parents: Tom and Susan. Birthdate: March 12, 1984.