Center Paul Thurston transferring from Nebraska to Colorado State, immediately eligible

Welcome to Ram Nation, Paul Thurston.

According to Adam Munsterteiger of CU’s Rivals page, Thurston has signed his papers and is joining Colorado State football.

On the Colorado Rivals Forums page, Munsterteiger wrote:

“Just got this email from the Guy Thurston, the uncle of former blue-chip in-state recruit Paul Thurston, from Arvada West:

Paul Thurston, my nephew, has signed his papers and is officially transferring from the University of Nebraska to Colorado State University this coming fall to play football.”

And now, a second source in 24/7 Sports also says Thurston’s family let them know he’s transferring to CSU.

Mike Bobo has made the transfer official on Twitter:

We are excited to welcome Paul Thurston back home to Colorado! #RamFam #EDGE #NeverSatisfied pic.twitter.com/Ae7wMFnOVx

— Coach Mike Bobo (@CoachMikeBobo) May 18, 2016

Thurston redshirted his first year (2012) at Nebraska and didn’t play his redshirt freshman year (2013) before seeing action in 10 games as a sophomore, in 2014. Injuries to the team’s two best centers meant a starting job against Iowa. Last year, as a junior, Thurston played in all 13 games as the Huskers’ No. 2 center. Then, in the Foster Farms Bowl, he took over for injured starter Ryne Reeves.

Per Omaha.com, Thurston’s transfer from the school was announced by head coach Mike Riley on Saturday, April 16.

He’s 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds and would certainly help CSU’s offensive line, which has seen its fair share of injuries as well as talented players leave as of late. Per Colorado State, the graduate transfer will be immediately available to play in 2016. That means a huge boost to the team’s offensive line.

Now, with center Jake Bennett being a spring watch list member of the Rimington Trophy — which is awarded to the best center in college football — it’s likely one of the two will play guard.