Athlete of the Week: Todd Nordenson

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Palisade Bulldogs football has become synonymous with running the football.

Across the last two seasons, the Bulldogs have won 18 games and are 8-0 against the rest of their league. Senior offensive lineman Todd Nordenson has been a key piece of that vaunted run game in the trenches, and he’s now committed to play at the next level, choosing the Colorado State Rams over several other Division I programs.

“It kind of made it all click when I chose CSU, like it was deep down in my heart,” Nordenson said. “I kind of knew it as soon as it started.”

Nordenson said a visit from CSU’s Coach Christian Pace out on the Western Slope was a key turning point in his recruitment.

“It was my coach from CSU, Coach Pace, he came down. He did like a workout with me out here at Palisade on the field with the football team,” Nordenson said. “And I was like, dang, like he really wants me. He’s coming out here to see me. That doesn’t happen a lot. He came down with another coach and they both had dinner with my family. And I was just like, dang, like these guys really care. These guys really want me. And that’s when it kind of all clicked.”

But before Saturday’s at Canvas Stadium, Nordenson first has to focus on his senior season under the lights at Stocker Stadium.

“I love it. I love the feeling of going into a game and knowing that a team is prepped for us all week and they know we’re going to run the ball,” Nordenson said. “I love that feeling of, oh, they think they’re going to stop us, but we’re going to show them that they can’t stop us and that we’re going to run down their throat even if they prep for us all week.”

Nordenson also plays for the Palisade basketball team and said the sport has directly benefited his development as an offensive lineman.

“Basketball carries a lot of other skill traits. Footwork is a big one for me, especially playing O-line,” Nordenson said. “My basketball coach does a big thing for him , it’s been footwork. We’ve worked a lot on that the past couple years.”

If you have a local athlete or team you would like to submit to potentially be featured on a future Athlete of the Week, send nominations and a means of contact to Sports Director Garrett Brown at Garrett.Brown@kkco11news.com.