Five Rams Named to Pac-12 Preseason Impact List

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FORT COLLINS – Colorado State had five players named to the Pac-12's 2026 Preseason Impact List on Friday afternoon. Tight end Juice Vereen, wide receiver Terrence Smith Jr., running back/kick returner Mel Brown, linebacker Oumar Diomande and defensive back Caleb Presley were each recognized by the league ahead of the season.

Diomande brings a high level of production to the Colorado State defense with his ability to make plays all over the field. The Bronx, N.Y., native was 20th in the nation with his team-leading 116 total tackles, and his 65 solo tackles were tied for seventh in the country. The linebacker has played in all 13 games each of the past two seasons.

Vereen has collected a handful of preseason accoladed already, being named to the John Mackey Award watchlist and the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1,000 in recent weeks. A dynamic playmaker at the tight end position, Vereen grabbed 22 receptions for 310 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games during the 2025 season at UConn.

Also named to the East-West Bowl 1,000, Brown figures to be a key contributor in the backfield and return game for Colorado State this season. Brown was limited to just five games in 2025 due to injury, but managed to record 262 yards on 32 attempts with a pair of touchdowns. In 13 games as a junior, Brown racked up 673 yards on the ground while averaging 29.1 yards per kick return, which included a 96-yard house call against UMass.

Smith Jr. has emerged as a player to watch in the Rams' receiving room over the course of the offseason and figures to be a top playmaker in the passing game for CSU. The UConn transfer spent two seasons with the Huskies before following head coach Jim Mora to Fort Collins. In 2025, Smith Jr. played all 13 games and logged four receptions for 34 yards, while racking up 75 rushing yards and a touchdown as well.

Presley is a player with previous Pac-12 experience, having started his career at Washington before spending the 2025 season at San Jose State. The defensive back played in 12 games for the Spartans, racking up 22 tackles, 1.0 tackles for loss and two pass breakups.

Fall camp is in full swing as the Rams prepare for their season-opening game against Wyoming on Sept. 5 in Canvas Stadium. Tickets to the Border War are available at CSURams.com/Tickets.

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