Tolson signs letter of intent to play football for Central

Pawhuska High School’s Marshall Tolson has signed a national letter of intent to play football at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

Tolson — a 6-4, 225-pound senior — made his official commitment to the Bronchos on Wednesday during a “National Signing Day” ceremony at PHS. In attendance were several family members and coaches, as well as at least 20 other student athletes.

Following his move to Pawhuska in 2011 after his freshman year at Tulsa Edison, Tolson started three seasons for the Huskies. He saw action on both the offensive and defensive lines, at linebacker and as a tight end while helping PHS to reach the state playoffs each of those years.

Tolson earned All-District honors for his defensive prowess in high school. During his senior campaign, Tolson made a team-leading 11 tackles that resulted in lost yardage — including one for a two-point safety. He had seven unassisted and 49 assisted tackles. Tolson also recorded two sacks, deflected a pass and caused 10 hurried passes.

UCO coaches are looking for Tolson to be an offensive player at the college level, according to his father Mike Tolson, who said Broncho recruiters were considering him for either tight end or the more mobile H-back position.

Formerly known as Central State, the University of Central Oklahoma, or UCO, is a four-year college located in Edmond. It has a college football tradition that dates back to 1902 and includes NAIA national championship-winning teams in 1962 and 1982. UCO has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) for the past three years.

The Broncho football team finished 8-4 last season, which was its third under 34-year-old head coach Nick Bobeck. Area players on the UCO squad include red-shirt freshman quarterback Chas Stallard of Cleveland and freshman defensive lineman Skyler Wood from Nowata.