FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (April 25, 2026) – After starring at 7,000 feet, former Northern Arizona wide receiver
Kolbe Katsis' professional career will begin in the Mile High City after the Denver Broncos inked the All-American wideout to an undrafted free agent contract on Saturday.
Katsis heads to the reigning AFC West champions following an All-American senior season with the Lumberjacks in 2025. As an all-purpose player, Katsis earned All-American honors by FCS Football Central (Second Team) and Stats Perform (Third Team). He also garnered Fourth Team status by Phil Steele and Honorable Mention by The Associated Press as a wide receiver.
Last season's No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC signed one of the top receivers in the FCS, as Katsis finished eighth in receiving yards per game (89.0) and 12th in receiving yards (1,068), while also placing 11th in receiving touchdowns (10). The Owasso, Okla. native was the first Lumberjack to log 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in the same season since 2019.
Katsis was a highlight waiting to happen, leading the team with 20 explosive plays of at least 20 yards from scrimmage, including four touchdowns of at least 50 yards. An All-Big Sky First Team selection at both receiver and kick returner, Katsis ranked fourth in the FCS with 30.6 yards per kickoff return. He earned the first of two Big Sky Player of the Week awards following a 100-yard kick return touchdown against Northern Colorado, making him the first Lumberjack with a kick return touchdown since 2017.
Ranking in the top 10 of NAU's single-season charts in receiving yards (1,068; eighth) and all-purpose yards (1,653; 10th), Katsis finished his two-year career with NAU with 95 receptions, 1,566 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He averaged 16.5 yards per reception and started 22 of 23 games he appeared in.
Katsis originally started his career at Pittsburg State where he was an all-conference player and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) Freshman of the Year in 2022. He followed head coach
Brian Wright to NAU in the spring of 2024, where he concluded his collegiate career.
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