The University of Colorado Boulder hasn’t shied away from the limelight since Coach Prime arrived in 2022, and that won’t change for the school’s NFL Showcase on April 4.
The headlines will feature quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way superstar Travis Hunter, both of whom are expected to be picked within the top five selections of the NFL Draft. However, 16 players in total will perform in front of NFL scouts in hopes of improving their draft stock.
Beginning the day with measurements and bench press, players will then transition from the weight room to the turf of the Indoor Practice Facility (IPF). Here, the 40-yard dash and position-specific drills will occur for the remainder of the day. The events are taken directly from the NFL Combine.
The Buffs have three additional receivers aiming for a shot at the league: LaJohntay Wester, Jimmy Horn Jr. and Will Sheppard. The trio combined for 159 receptions, 1,993 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2024, forming a passing attack that was difficult to contain. Horn and Wester were previously at the NFL combine, but have a chance to improve their testing numbers.
It’s a crucial day for Horn, who missed parts of the season and checked in at just 5 feet 8 inches and 174 pounds – both below the fifth percentile for NFL receivers. He made up for it with solid athletic testing in a 4.46 second 40-yard dash and a 128” broad jump (79th percentile and 90th percentile, respectively), but could stand to bump both numbers up to give himself a better profile among the rest of the class. He did attend the Big 12 Pro Day but only did the 3-cone drill and shuttle, likely focusing preparation on his Pro Day performance.
Will Sheppard was not invited to the combine, but took part in the Big 12 Pro Day alongside Horn, where he provided reasonable numbers, but he’ll need to improve from his 4.59-second 40 time if he wants better looks from the league. Sheppard has four years of tape for teams to evaluate, but if he can combine his height with improved testing numbers, he may prove to be more than just a late-round flier.
Five of the 16 players are coming from the nastiest place in football. On the defensive side, interior linemen Shane Cokes and Chidozie Nwankwo, along with Edge BJ Green II, represent the trenches for the Buffs. All three were a part of the dominant front that led the Big 12 with 39 sacks. OL Justin Mayers and Kardell Thomas are the pair from the offense.
Mayers’ greatest strength as an offensive lineman comes with his versatility. Being able to play at both guard positions allowed him to receive extended playing time with the Buffs. He started several games at each position which takes a high football IQ and trust from the coaching staff. He can plug and play anywhere, with sound fundamentals and experience he can develop into a quality piece.
Thomas saw only three snaps with the Buffs during the regular-season finale. Although he did not play much at Colorado, his impact at practice and with the team has given him an opportunity to display his skills at the NFL Showcase. With film and starts at Florida A&M and LSU, he has plenty of experience around football.
Green, one of the most polished players, was a model of consistency for the Buffs. With 33 total tackles, 19 unassisted tackles, 7.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, 12 tackles for a loss and two forced fumbles, he made his presence felt every game. The speedy edge knows how to use his positioning to set himself up in the right position to make plays, and is a fundamental player who knows how to contain the quarterback.
Cokes, who missed time with injury, finished the season with 19 total tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. As an interior defensive lineman, he is physical and nasty with his hands. Occupying doubles teams is his forte. More notably, he received the “L” on his jersey twice at Colorado, for his leadership and character.
Nwankwo, a big personality, was a force to be reckoned with all season. His textbook hip drop technique to occupy gaps makes him a sound run-stuffer. With 31 tackles, 19 unassisted tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, he will make his presence felt against any offensive line. The leverage and aggression from the “block bully” make him an exciting player to watch.
Linebacker LaVonta Bentley, who commanded the defense, will have his opportunity to awe some scouts as well. With 20 straight starts for the Buffs, the do-it-all backer can cover sideline to sideline and is a sure tackler. Like many participants in the pro day, his character and football knowledge will be intangibles that he brings to the team. Bentley recorded 55 total tackles, 34 unassisted tackles, four tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries during his final year at Colorado.
On the back end, safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig will follow suit. Both were invited to the Big 12 Pro Day but did not participate, following Horn as they prepared for Colorado's own Pro Day. Sanders faces an uphill battle to get drafted, but will find a training camp invite provided he performs well.
Silmon-Craig has much more at stake after an incredibly productive 2024 season in which he emerged as a leader of the defense. He too was snubbed from the Combine, so after passing on the Big 12 Pro Day, he’ll provide his only testing in Boulder. Given the weaker safety class in this year’s draft, a standout performance could elevate his draft stock into the second day of the draft, but poor testing could just as easily push him down the board.
Another pair of safeties, Herman Smith III and Travis Jay, will also be at the event to showcase their abilities. Neither player saw much time on defense during their brief stints at Colorado, and made most of their contributions on special teams. Jay, much like Shilo Sanders, will need a strong showing to capture the attention of scouts. Unlike Sanders, Jay doesn’t have the name recognition nor the production to put himself on the map. This can work for or against him, as a good day could carry his stock for teams willing to take a chance on an unknown.
Meanwhile, Smith should certainly get multiple looks in undrafted free agency after earning a key role on special teams throughout the season. Smith is another Buff who followed Coach Prime to Boulder, likely earning himself some praise from the coaching staff.
Lastly, punter Mark Vassett will be the only specialist on the field. The 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound Australian has started two years for Colorado and was a bright spot for a struggling special teams unit. Vassett caught the eye of Coach Prime and transferred from Louisville after starting for two years there. Specialists are rarely drafted in the NFL, with few exceptions, so his workout likely won’t affect his draft stock but will impact how many teams around the league extend him a training camp invite. However, his size and production should make him one of the more coveted specialists in the draft.
Now, a big bench press or fast 40 may only carry so much weight to boost the stock of these prospects. The film and on-field experience will speak for itself in the end. However, the character component will also be a big factor at the event, as players meet with scouts and media. One thing for sure is that these Buffs will try to leave a lasting impression on everyone who sees them.
This event will be broadcast on Friday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. MT on NFL Network.
Leo Rivera IV & Mason LeBeau contributed to this article
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