FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Jordan Kress feels right at home at Colorado State.
Originally from Loveland, the Colorado native and former New Mexico Lobo wanted to spend his final season of eligibility somewhere that really embraces a team-first mentality. According to Kress, that’s exactly what he found at CSU. “They’re building something here under Coach Addazio,” Kress said.
Although he’s been on campus less than a year, the 6-foot-0, 200-pound wide receiver explained that as soon as he got back to Fort Collins he could tell it was the right fit. Under wide receiver’s coach, Alex Bailey, and throughout the position room, Kress said that there’s a strong sense of brotherhood.
“Everybody is coming together and being a collective,” Kress said. “Nobody is scared to speak up or fix the problems they see on the screen. We’re building great chemistry, great teamwork, and that’s really what sold me from the start — being invited in and welcomed in right away. That really helped put me in a good place.”
Obviously the passing game has not been as successful as Kress or anyone in the locker room would hope for, but he believes the group is close to working out the kinks. Kress has been putting in extra work with Todd Centeio (QB) on the side. And when his quarterback isn’t available he’s doing his own thing.
“The chemistry is gonna be there. We worked all summer on it, so whenever we can get it to click it’s going to be something nice and booming,” Kress said. “It’ll happen sooner or later. Can’t complain about it, just gotta keep working.”
At the University of New Mexico Kress was primarily used as a deep target to stretch the field. In 16 games for the Lobos over the course of the 2019 and 2020 seasons, Kress recorded 40 receptions for 754 yards and eight touchdowns. He averaged 18.9 yards per reception over that time. Prior to his time with the Lobos, Kress also recorded 64 receptions and 11 touchdowns at Butte Junior College.
Kress says that he can do similar things for the Rams but actually feels that he’s a more versatile receiver than what he got to show at UNM. According to the graduate student, he can play inside or outside, which is something that he’s been doing for the Rams this year.
“Coming here I wanted to be able to work on the inside and outside, and that’s something they’ve been doing for me,” Kress said. “I did take some vertical shots at New Mexico and that’s a big part of what they needed me to be able to do. But they also needed me to do some more crossing routes and drag routes. It’s just another added level to my game and will better myself for whatever is next.”
When Kress takes the field with the Rams on Saturday it will be the third time he’s done so at Canvas Stadium, but as he explained, getting to suit up in his home community is something that will never not be special to him. More than anything, though, he’s just looking forward to the opportunity to help this team try and reach their goals.
“We’re building right now,” Kress said. “We’re heading towards a championship. I fully believe that. Everybody’s got the right mindset, the right mentality, so it’s exciting to see what’s gonna happen. We’re coming into conference play, we’ve got San Jose State this week, and we just want to be 1-0 every week.”
Next up: San Jose State (1:30 p.m. MT).
