Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Prepare To Hear Names Called In NFL Draft
April 27, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — It is part of the natural order in college football: a successful season almost always produces a high-profile NFL Draft.
Mike MacIntyre's Colorado Buffaloes are following that trend. On the heels of a 10-4, Pac-12 South title season, the Buffs are expected to have at least three — and possibly more — players hear their names called this weekend as the draft unfolds.
Thursday night's first round is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. (Mountain time) in Philadelphia. Friday will see rounds 2 and 3 selected, beginning at 5 p.m. The final four rounds will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. ESPN, ESPN2 and NFL Network all will provide live coverage and online streaming will be available on NFL.com.
The three Buffs most likely to hear their names called are all defensive backs: cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon, and safety Tedric Thompson. Awuzie is being projected as a possible first rounder; Witherspoon as a second- or third-round pick and Thompson as anywhere from the third through the seventh.
Awuzie is one of 22 players who will be attending Thursday's night's festivities in Philadelphia and he will be accompanied by MacIntyre, who helped turn a lightly regarded high school recruit into one of the nation's best defensive backs.
MacIntyre has spent the week extolling Awuzie's virtues to the national media, noting that Awuzie can play three positions in the secondary — something he successfully did at Colorado. Awuzie had a solid NFL Combine performance and also put up good numbers at CU's Pro Day in early March, all coming after a season in which he earned a national reputation as an excellent cover corner as well as a steady run defender.
Witherspoon is one of the most interesting stories of the draft. A year ago, he wasn't even a sure-fire starter for the Buffs, let alone a high-round NFL draft pick. But after a year in which he tied teammate Thompson for the nation's lead in total passes defended (22 pass breakups and one interception), he steadily climbed the draft projection charts; then solidified his position with some solid workouts for teams this spring.
Thompson also had an excellent senior season to improve his draft stock. His team-high seven interceptions (along with 16 passes broken up) were a strong indication of his ball-hawk skills, and he also finished fourth on the team in tackles (75).
With 266 all-time picks, Colorado is currently No. 22 nationally in all-time draft selections. If Awuzie goes in the first round, it would be CU's 25th all-time first rounder.
The fact that the Buffs have three defensive backs set to be drafted is an indication of MacIntyre's propensity for developing quality DBs. A secondary coach for much of his career as an assistant, MacIntyre's teams have always produced standout secondaries.
Along with the three defensive backs, a handful of other Buffs could also hear their name called over the weekend, or sign free agent contracts once the draft is completed.
Nose tackle Josh Tupou, who also had a standout senior season, has seen his name pop up in a number of recent mock drafts, and could be taken anywhere from the fifth through seventh rounds.
Other Buffs who spent their springs working out for a variety of teams and could sneak into the later rounds or sign free agent deals include linebacker Jimmie Gilbert, quarterback Sefo Liufau, linebacker Kenneth Olugbode, defensive linemen Samson Kafovalu and Jordan Carrell, tight end Sean Irwin and offensive linemen Alex Kelley and Shane Callahan.
What is also apparent is that Colorado will likely continue to see players selected in future drafts.
Buffs who are already drawing attention as possible draft picks a year from now include offensive lineman Jeromy Irwin, wide receivers Shay Fields, Bryce Bobo and Devin Ross; defensive end Leo Jackson III, offensive linemen Jonathan Huckins and Gerrad Kough; tight end H-back George Frazier and defensive backs Afolabi Laguda and Isaiah Oliver.
This also doesn't take into account that somewhere on the Buffs roster is another Witherspoon — a player with potential who is in line for a breakout senior season.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
