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Broncos roster: WR Kolbe Katsis (No. 81) aims to make noise as returner
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- Broncos roster: WR Kolbe Katsis (No. 81) aims to make noise as returner
Broncos Wire 's 91-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at rookie wide receiver Kolbe Katsis, No. 81.
Before the Broncos :Katsis (6-1, 185 pounds) began his collegiate football career at Pittsburg State, where he played from 2021-23 and found a niche as a dual-threat wide receiver and kick returner. In 2022, Katsis was named MIAA Freshman of the Year and earned honorable mention All-MIAA accolades as a returner. In 2023, Katsis was named All-MIAA third-team as a wide receiver and returner. In 25 games with the Gorillas, Katsis racked up 1,160 career receiving yards on 70 catches and nine touchdowns. As a returner, Katsis had a pair of kick return touchdowns, and totaled 880 return yards on 30 returns.
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In 2024, Katsis followed then-Pittsburg State head coach Brian Wright to Northern Arizona. Katsis spent 2024 and 2025 in the FCS' Big Sky Conference, starting 22 of 23 games. In 2024, Katsis was used as a wide receiver, catching 35 passes for 498 yards and two touchdowns. In 2025, Katsis had his best season, exploding both as a wide receiver and as a kick returner. Katsis caught a career-high 60 passes for 1,068 yards and 10 touchdowns, rushed four times for 64 yards and one touchdown, and returned 17 kicks for 521 yards and one touchdown. He earned FCS Football Central second-team All-American and Stats Perform FCS third-team All-American All-Purpose Player honors, Phil Steele fourth-team All-American, AP Honorable Mention All-American Wide Receiver, and All-Big Sky first-team accolades as a wide receiver and kick returner.
Broncos tenure:Katsis' impressive statistics were not enough to see his name called in the 2026 NFL draft. Katsis did catch the attention of the Denver Broncos staff, who seem to like him as a return candidate. Katsis signed with the Broncos as one of 13 initial undrafted free agents immediately following the NFL draft. He'll make his debut during preseason this summer.
Chances to make the 53-man roster:Long shot with a chance at returner. The Broncos ' 2026 wide receiver room is deeper than it has been in a number of years; however, there may be a possibility that Katsis could be a competitor for the return specialist spot. Denver special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi apparently " really likes " Katsis as a returner. If wide receiver Marvin Mims takes on a bigger role in the offensive game plan under new playcaller Davis Webb , Katsis could be a dark horse candidate for the returner job.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Broncos roster: WR Kolbe Katsis (No. 81) aims to make noise as returner
