The Denver Broncos have a long-lasting partnership with Denver Public Schools (DPS), most notably through its funding of the school-based tackle football program in DPS middle schools each spring called Futures Football.
"Thanks to the Broncos Futures Football Program started six years ago to boost the districts programs, DPS is once again among the elite ranks of Colorado Football in 2014," said John Andrew, Assistant Athletic Director of Denver Public Schools.
DPS Futures Football was created to address the declining numbers of participants in Denver Public Schools football programs.
"Not only is DPS Football relevant again but we have seen a huge gain in the number of participants and most of our 10 high schools are fielding all three levels of football once again," added Andrew.
DPS Athletics is committed to providing opportunities for participants as an extension of academics in a competitive and wholesome environment, while emphasizing the importance of life skills, team work, character, and work ethic through the bridge from athletics to academics.
DPS and the Broncos have seen dramatic improvements in the athletic and academic performance of the students participating DPS Futures Football since its inaugural year in 2008, including a number of graduates playing football at the collegiate level.
"It is our firm belief that the Futures program has made one of the biggest impacts on football in the last 30 years," said Andrew.
More than 20 DPS Futures student-athletes have gone on to play collegiate football at a number of schools including the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, University of North Colorado, CSU-Pueblo, Alabama State and more.
"The vision of [Broncos] Vice President of Community Development, Cindy Kellogg, to revitalize a district whose football programs were very close to not having enough players to sustain a program and whose competitive drive had been diminished by lopsided defeats and lack of participation, has taken DPS Football from the bottom of the State to being a viable and competitive district once again," said Andrew.
| Recent DPS Futures Football Participants that have played collegiate football | ||
| Student | High School | College |
| Phillip Lindsay | Denver South | University of Colorado |
| Pete Williams | Denver South | Southern Utah University |
| Shun Johnson | Denver South | Colorado State University |
| Zach Lindsay | Denver South | University of Northern Colorado |
| Matise Moore | Denver South | Alcorn State |
| Orlando Mosley | Denver South | Adams State |
| Taylor Williams | Denver South | Adams State |
| Mike Williams | Denver South | Dodge City JC |
| Darian Chiles | Denver South | Mesa State University |
| Amos Harris | Denver South | Adams State |
| Michael Barfield | Denver South | Fort Lewis |
| Johnnie Coleman | Denver South | Lincoln University PA |
| Kierian Chambers | Denver South | Mesa State University |
| Gabriel Ubias | Denver North | Western State University |
| Cesar Esobedo | Denver North | Western State University |
| Aquian Wright | Denver West | Northern Colorado |
| Shahid Hoover | Denver East | Pima Community College |
| Josh Spicely | Denver East | CSU Pueblo |
| Jabari Holland | Denver East | Howard University |
| Dakari Lawrence | Montbello Warriors | CSU Pueblo |
| Gerardo Barazza | Montbello Warriors | CSU Pueblo |
| Jante Gadson | Montbello Warriors | Alabama State |
| Marquell Jones | Montbello Warriors | Western State |
*List compiled from coach submissions, not a complete list representative of all DPS Futures Participants that have played at the collegiate level.
