CSU-Pueblo's Meisner gets NFL Mini-camp invite

Pack All-American receives NFL shot with Atlanta Falcons.

PUEBLO, Colo. (GoThunderWolves.com - May 3, 2012) - CSU-Pueblo All-American linebacker Lee Meisner (Sr., Sterling, Colo.) has received an invitation to attend the Atlanta Falcons' Rookie Mini-Camp May 11-13.

Meisner, a highly-decorated inside linebacker for the Pack who has been selected as an All-American, Academic All-American, RMAC Defensive Player of the Year and Regional Defensive Player of the Year, just to name a few, will participate in the Falcons' Rookie Mini-Camp, trying to win a roster spot as a fullback.

Meisner said he is thankful for the opportunity and will give it everything he has.

"It's an awesome opportunity.  I don't know any other words to describe it," Meisner said.  "This is the kind of thing you dream about as a kid, and I'm excited for the opportunity."

Meisner, in addition to being stellar on the football field, earned many academic honors.  He was named the RMAC Academic Player of the Year, was one of just a handful of Division II semifinalists for the prestigious William F. Campbell academic award for the best scholar-athlete in all of college football, as well as the CSU-Pueblo Hasan School of Business Student of the Year and a finalist for the Threlkeld Award, given to CSU-Pueblo's top scholar.  CSU-Pueblo head coach, John Wristen, said it is this kind of work ethic that will make him successful in this tryout.

"He's a person of high character and work ethic," Wristen said, "and if anybody deserves a shot, it's him.  It's a great opportunity for him and he'll make the most of it."

The 6-foot, 245-pound Meisner is considered a protypical size for an NFL fullback.  Though he was a linebacker at CSU-Pueblo, he played fullback in high school, and the two positions are very similar, Meisner said.

"Having played the position in high school, it will be easy to get back in the groove," Meisner said.  "Both fullback and linebacker are similar in their physical requirements.  It will be a challenge, but it won't be too overwhelming."

Wristen, a veteran of college coaching who has coached many NFL-bound players in his 20-plus years as a Division I and Division II coach, said Meisner fits well as a fullback.

"It's perfect for him," Wristen said.  "He has an ideal body size, can run and make hits.  It's just a great fit all around."

Wristen, a former Denver Bronco training camp invitee, is one of three CSU-Pueblo coaches to have had previous experience in the NFL (including offensive line coordinator, Chris Symington with Tampa Bay and seven-year NFL veteran, running backs coach, Steve Sewell).  He said his best advice to Meisner is to simply give it his best and don't quit.

"I told him to go compete on every snap, on every play," Wristen said.  "Most importantly, he needs to have fun doing it and take it all in."

Meisner will depart for Flowery Branch, Ga. next week.  GoThunderWolves.com will provide updates of Meisner's progress at the Mini-Camp.