Category: Buffs in NFL

Former Colorado CB Christian Gonzalez named finalist for major NFL award

Former Colorado cornerback Christian Gonzalez is up for a major NFL award

Former Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been named one of five finalists for the NFL’s AP Comeback Player of the Year award after his stellar 2024 season. The award is typically given to players returning from season-ending injuries or regaining a starting position.

Gonzalez, a first-round pick of the New England Patriots in the 2023 NFL draft, played in four games during his rookie season before tearing his labrum in an Oct. 4 game against the Dallas Cowboys. He missed the rest of his rookie season but returned to have a great second year this past fall.

Gonzalez played in 16 games, compiling 59 tackles, 11 passes defended and two interceptions. He also scored his first career touchdown on a fumble recovery in a Nov. 24 matchup with the Miami Dolphins.

Gonzalez is one of five finalists, joining Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins and Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

After signing with the Buffs out of high school as a four-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, Gonzalez spent two seasons in Boulder, playing in 18 games while racking up 78 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 10 passes defended. Gonzalez then transferred to the Oregon Ducks and recorded four interceptions during the 2022 season.

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Ahkello Witherspoon’s Rams fall to Eagles in NFL playoffs

Former Buff Ahkello Witherspoon’s season came to an end in the NFL playoffs

Once the Denver Broncos were eliminated from the NFL playoffs, I started following other teams due to local ties. Los Angeles cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was an easy plater to cheer for, as he made numerous big plays during his time with the Colorado Buffaloes.

Unfortunately, Witherspoon’s season ended on Sunday as the Rams lost their divisional round matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-22. The Rams’ secondary limited Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to only 128 passing yards, with Witherspoon accounting for two tackles.

Witherspoon’s highlight of the playoffs came during the wild-card round, as his sack of Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold resulted in a 57-yard fumble return for a touchdown.

While it wasn’t how he wanted to end the season, Witherspoon has enjoyed a career resurgence with the Rams. After playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers for two seasons, Witherspoon signed a free-agent deal with the Rams. Over the last two seasons, Witherspoon played in 30 games with Los Angeles, compiling 83 tackles and four interceptions.

Witherspoon will enter the offseason as a free agent.

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Jimmy Horn Jr. invited to NFL scouting combine

Jimmy Horn Jr. is getting the opportunity to showcase his skills at the NFL scouting combine

In about two months, Colorado football wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. will get the opportunity to showcase his talents at the NFL scouting combine. The senior announced his invitation to the combine on Monday, marking a major step toward his goal of reaching the next level.

The 2025 NFL scouting combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Feb. 27 through March 2. Horn and other NFL hopefuls will participate in several physical and mental tests, including the 40-yard dash.

Horn began his final college season strong with 198 receiving yards and one touchdown in Colorado’s opener against North Dakota State. The former South Florida standout finished the year with 441 receiving yards while missing most of November with a lower-body injury.

Earlier this month, CBS Sports NFL draft analyst Josh Edwards ranked Horn as the No. 142 prospect in this year’s draft class.

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Travis Hunter reaffirms plans to enter 2025 NFL draft

Travis Hunter reaffirmed that he’ll be declaring for the NFL draft after this season

It didn’t exactly need to be confirmed, but Colorado football star Travis Hunter made his plans to enter the 2025 NFL draft clear once more earlier this week.

According to ESPN’s Rittenberg, Hunter was asked in a Zoom interview if he has any doubts about leaving for the NFL after this season. The cornerback/wide receiver reaffirmed that he’s “definitely” set to declare for the draft after this season — his third at the college level.

Updated 2025 NFL mock drafts have Hunter as a projected top-five pick. USA TODAY Sports recently predicted Hunter to go No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed by Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders landing No. 2 to the New York Giants.

Amid his second year with the Buffs, Hunter is currently favored to win the Heisman Trophy. Through 10 games, he owns 911 receiving yards, 10 total touchdowns and three interceptions.

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Former Colorado linebacker signs with Miami Dolphins practice squad

The Miami Dolphins signed a former Colorado linebacker to their practice squad

Numerous former Colorado Buffaloes are suiting up for the first NFL weekend of the regular season. While linebacker Derrick McLendon isn’t, he took a step in the right direction by signing with the Miami Dolphins practice squad on Tuesday.

McLendon arrived in Boulder as a graduate student ahead of CU football head coach Deion Sanders’ first season with the Buffs. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound linebacker played in all 12 games in 2023, racking up 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. After transferring out of Florida State, he came to CU with two years of eligibility but decided to forego his remaining eligibility after last season.

McLendon didn’t hear his name called in the 2024 NFL draft. However, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers and participated in their training camp.

Former Colorado wide receiver Xavier Weaver is the only Buff from last year’s team that made a 53-man roster, doing so with the Arizona Cardinals.

Unless an injury occurs, McLendon likely won’t make his NFL debut this year. Former Buffs tight end Brady Russell cracked the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster this year after spending last season on their practice squad, though, so McLendon is pushing in the right direction.

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Former Colorado WR Xavier Weaver in strong position to make Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster

Xavier Weaver could become the Buffs’ first Coach Prime era player to make an NFL roster

After going undrafted this spring, former Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Xavier Weaver is well-positioned to make the Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster.

Weaver, who led the Buffs in receptions (68) and receiving yards (908) last season, has been predicted to make the team after signing an undrafted free-agent contract in late April. The Cardinals signed him for the most guaranteed money out of all their undrafted free agents at $225,000 for 2024, signaling that the organization wants Weaver to stick around.

This NFL preseason, Weaver has helped prove his worth. He has reeled in four passes for 39 yards through two games and has made some plays as a return man.

Weaver will look to leave no doubt about his place on the roster this Sunday against the Denver Broncos. The Cardinals’ final preseason matchup will kick off at 1:30 p.m. MT on CBS.

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Former Colorado tight end Brady Russell enjoying strong preseason with Seattle Seahawks

Former Colorado standout Brady Russell is balling this preseason

Fighting for a spot in the NFL, former Colorado Buffaloes tight end Brady Russell is a few days away from finding out if he has made the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster.

Russell has caught five passes for 47 yards and a touchdown through two preseason games and is expected to survive head coach Mike Macdonald’s final roster cuts. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Colorado native has reportedly stood out during Seattle’s training camp, even with all three TEs ahead of him healthy.

Russell, who hails from Fort Collins, already has a heartwarming story, playing linebacker and tight end for CU’s scout team as a walk-on before earning a scholarship. That scholarship quickly turned into Russell being named a team captain. While the Buffs won only one game during his final college season in 2022, Russell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after going undrafted in 2023. He then joined the Seahawks midway through last season.

But, Russell’s path is what has kept him around in the football world. Instead of celebrating, Russell has consistently worked for his next opportunity.

“I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone, I’m just trying to do whatever is asked of me at the time and do my job to the best of my ability,” Russell told Seattle media. “But (my path) definitely formed my work ethic into what it is now, and what it’s had to be in order to get to where I’m at now.”

Russell and the Seahawks play their final preseason game on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns at 8 p.m. MT on NFL Network.

Check out Russell’s physical touchdown reception in Seattle’s first preseason game earlier this month:

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PFF labels former Colorado WR Xavier Weaver as undrafted free agent to watch

Xavier Weaver shouldn’t be slept on entering his rookie season in Arizona

Following the 2024 NFL draft, former Colorado football wide receiver Xavier Weaver was a hot commodity on the undrafted free agent market before landing with the Arizona Cardinals.

While many fans liked Arizona’s decision to pick up the Buffaloes’ top receiver from 2023, Pro Football Focus contributing writer Thomas Valentine believes Weaver is the Cardinals’ top undrafted free agent to watch this upcoming season.

Here’s what Valentine wrote on Weaver:

Weaver was one of the top undrafted free agents on the board and is a potential coup for a Cardinals team lacking a certain amount of depth at the wide receiver position. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the obvious gem for the Cardinals in their 2024 draft class, but Weaver caught 68 passes for 908 yards and four touchdowns while earning a solid 69.2 grade in 2023.

The former South Florida star joined long snapper Joe Shimko (NC State) and defensive tackle Myles Murphy (North Carolina) in Arizona’s undrafted free agent signing class. Still, Weaver’s value at the receiver position stands out among the three.

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NFL draft analyst has Colorado stars going one-two in 2025 mock

One NFL analyst believes Colorado could produce the top two picks in next year’s draft

Most early 2025 NFL mock drafts agree that Colorado Buffaloes football stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are first-round locks. However, one draft analyst projects CU’s Heisman hopefuls to hear their names called in succession as the top two overall picks.

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson released his first 2025 NFL mock draft on Sunday and the quarterback Sanders was featured as his No. 1 overall pick, heading to the Carolina Panthers. Right behind Sanders, Wilson projected the Tennessee Titans to select Hunter, who expects to play both cornerback and wide receiver again during his upcoming junior season.

Here’s what Wilson wrote on Hunter:

Imagine if I told you five years ago that not only would Colorado have two players drafted in the first round, but they’d have a chance to be top-10 picks. Hunter is a special talent who looks like an NFL star on both sides of the ball.

To Wilson’s point, Colorado’s last NFL draft pick came in 2021 when the New England Patriots selected offensive guard Will Sherman in the sixth round. The Buffs haven’t had a first-round pick since 2011 (Nate Solder and Jimmy Smith).

Sanders and Hunter aren’t the only Colorado players who could be selected next year. Buffaloes Wire’s Tony Cosolo recently examined 10 other Buffs players who are potential 2025 NFL draft picks.

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Former Colorado WR Xavier Weaver signs with Arizona Cardinals as undrafted free agent

Three Buffs signed undrafted free-agent contracts on Saturday

Former Colorado Buffaloes football wide receiver Xavier Weaver signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent Saturday afternoon.

Weaver inked the deal shortly after the 2024 NFL draft wrapped up, sitting through the entirety of the event without hearing his name called. Nonetheless, Weaver found himself on an NFL roster at the end of the day.

The contract Weaver signed included $255,000 in guaranteed money, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Weaver spent four years at USF before transferring to Colorado and becoming one of quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ favorite targets. As a graduate student in his lone year with the Buffs, he posted 68 receptions for 908 yards, leading the team in both categories. Four of his receptions resulted in touchdowns and two more came on rushes.

Arizona added Weaver to an incoming class that includes two other wideouts. With the fourth overall pick, the Cardinals took Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., the consensus best receiver in the draft. They later took Tehjaun Palmer out of the University of Alabama Birmingham in the sixth round.

Weaver joins defensive lineman Leonard Payne Jr. and edge rusher Derrick McLendon II as the only Buffs players from head coach Deion Sanders’ first year in Boulder to land NFL deals. Payne (Miami Dolphins) and McLendon (Carolina Panthers) signed undrafted free-agent deals.

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