Everything basically changed the second the plane touched down in Fort Collins with Jim Mora on board. Honestly, if you’ve been following colorado state football news for the last few months, you know the vibe around Canvas Stadium has shifted from "quiet desperation" to "controlled chaos."
Jay Norvell is out. 2025 was, frankly, a bit of a train wreck. After a 2-9 finish that felt way longer than eleven games, the administration decided they couldn't limp into the new Pac-12 with a coaching staff that seemed stuck in neutral. It’s a wild time to be a Ram. You’ve got a legendary coach in Mora taking the reins, a roster that looks like a revolving door, and a 2026 schedule that starts with a literal war.
Let's get into the weeds of what’s actually happening on the ground in Fort Collins right now.
The Jim Mora Era and the Great Roster Reset
When John Weber fired Norvell after that ugly 31-19 loss to Hawaii in October, the writing was on the wall. The Rams were dead last in run defense. They couldn't protect the quarterback. It was bad. But hiring Jim Mora? That was a statement. Mora didn't come alone, either. He’s spent the last few weeks essentially raiding his old UConn roster to make sure he has "his guys" for the 2026 transition.
If you’re looking for the biggest piece of colorado state football news this month, it’s the quarterback room. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi—the guy we all thought was the future—is officially gone to Michigan. He left with nearly 7,000 yards but a lot of "what if" moments.
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To fill that void, Mora went big. He secured Hauss Hejny, a former four-star recruit from Oklahoma State. Hejny is a dual-threat guy who actually has the wheels to survive behind a rebuilding offensive line. Along with him, Mora brought Ksaan Farrar from UConn. It’s a total reboot of the most important position on the field.
Who Else Is In?
The transfer portal tracker for CSU looks like a LinkedIn premium feed right now. It’s not just quarterbacks. Mora is beefing up the trenches because, let’s be real, the Mountain West bullied the Rams last year.
- Toriyan Johnson: A massive 6-foot-8, 330-pound offensive tackle from UConn. He’s a mountain.
- Stephon Wright: A defensive end who has played everywhere from Arizona State to SMU. He’s got 2.5 sacks from last season and a ton of "old man" strength.
- Javonte 'Juice' Vereen: A 6-foot-4 tight end who followed Mora from the Huskies.
That 2026 Pac-12 Jump No One Is Ready For
Most people are talking about the "new" Pac-12 like it’s a foregone conclusion. It’s not. It’s a massive step up in weight class. Colorado State is joining Oregon State, Washington State, Boise State, and others in this resurrected league.
The schedule makers aren't doing the Rams any favors, either. They just announced that the Border War against Wyoming is being moved to September 5, 2026. That’s the season opener. At home. At Canvas Stadium.
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Imagine that. Jim Mora’s first game, the first game of the "new" era, and the Bronze Boot is on the line. No pressure, right?
The school is leaning hard into the "Canvas Chaos" brand. They actually set a student attendance record last year with over 15,000 kids showing up for Ag Day. If the team is even halfway decent, that stadium is going to be a nightmare for visiting teams. But that "if" is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
Recruiting: A Top-60 Class?
Here is something that usually gets buried in colorado state football news: the high school recruiting is actually... good?
Despite the coaching change, the 2026 recruiting class has hovered around the top 60 nationally. That’s the highest it’s been in nearly two decades. Darnell Kelly, a three-star QB from Georgia, stayed committed through the turmoil. Same with local kid Atticus Tillman, a safety from Arvada West who chose to stay home despite interest from across the country.
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Mora is doing this weird, hybrid thing where he’s using the portal for immediate "don't get fired" results while keeping the high school kids in the fold for the long-term Pac-12 move. It’s a tightrope walk.
What Most People Get Wrong About CSU NIL
There’s a misconception that CSU doesn't have the "bags" to compete with the big boys. While they aren't out-bidding Texas for five-star tackles, their NIL collective has been quietly aggressive.
You don't land a guy like Hauss Hejny or hold onto a top-60 recruiting class without some financial backing. The partnership with the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) for events at Canvas Stadium is part of a larger strategy to turn the stadium into a year-round revenue machine. That money eventually trickles down to roster retention.
Actionable Insights for Ram Fans
If you’re trying to keep up with the chaos, here’s what you actually need to watch over the next few weeks:
- Watch the Friday Portal Deadline: The portal closes today (January 16). Keep an eye on the defensive line. If Mora doesn't add at least one more veteran interior plugger, the run defense issues from 2025 will haunt them in the Pac-12.
- The Spring Game Pivot: Expect Mora to go heavy on "pro-style" schemes. The "Air Raid" leftovers from the Norvell era are being scrubbed from the building.
- Ticket Demand: If you’re planning on going to the Border War in September, buy early. With the Wyoming game serving as the season opener and the Pac-12 hype, those tickets will be the most expensive in Fort Collins history.
- The "UConn North" Narrative: Don't be surprised if the locker room takes a minute to gel. You have half a roster of Norvell recruits and a third of a roster from UConn. Chemistry is going to be the biggest hurdle in March and April.
The 2026 season isn't just another year of football in Fort Collins. It's a total rebrand of the university's identity. Whether Mora can turn a 2-9 team into a Pac-12 contender in eight months is the biggest gamble in the state.
Next Steps for Following the Rams:
- Check the official transfer portal entries before the midnight deadline tonight to see the final roster tally.
- Monitor the spring practice schedule, which usually drops in late February, to see the first glimpses of Hejny in the new offense.
- Look for updates on the "Grit Run" in April, which Mora is expected to continue as a community staple.