The Colorado Buffaloes aren’t necessarily synonymous with success. Their last five-plus win season came in 2016. Before that? 2007. And their most recent bowl victory came in 2004. Nevertheless, the Buffaloes have provided a steady stream to the pros, with at least one player selected in the NFL draft from 2017-2021. Which of Colorado’s 2023 NFL Draft prospects could carry the torch this cycle?
Colorado prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft
Colorado suffered a bit of a mass exodus this offseason. Since December, 15 players have transferred or are currently in the portal. Meanwhile, only five have transferred in. The pressure is mounting for third-year head coach Karl Dorrell to right the ship in Boulder. There is talent on this team, evidenced by seven Buffaloes landing on the Shrine Bowl 1000.
J.T. Shrout, QB
J.T. Shrout was primed to earn the starting role last season, but an ACL tear relegated him to the bench. Brendon Lewis flashed his potential as a true freshman, and Shrout couldn’t participate in the spring game as he was still recovering. Yet, Shrout has the SEC pedigree as a former Tennessee transfer, and if he bounces back this summer, he could earn the starting nod this fall.
Shrout has worked on his release since the last time we saw him on the field, sporting a quicker and more efficient movement. The arm talent he showcased with the Vols is impressive, but he must win and hold onto the starting job before NFL draft discussions begin.
Alex Fontenot, RB
With Jarek Broussard off to Michigan State, CU’s backfield was Alex Fontenot’s to lead. Then Sam Houston State star RB Ramon Jefferson announced he would join the team in January — only he never made it on campus. Instead, Jefferson took his talents to Kentucky, once again leaving the RB room to Fontenot.
A soft tissue injury kept Fontenot out of spring, but the Buffaloes know what they are getting with the sixth-year senior. Over his career, Fontenot has gained 1,245 yards and 11 touchdowns off 293 carries. It’s not uncommon to see top-tier backs produce those numbers in one season. Even if Fontenot plays well in 2022, Colorado hasn’t had an RB drafted since 2006. I don’t expect that trend to end in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Deion Smith, RB
Likely receiving the lion’s share of the backfield touches behind Fontenot is Deion Smith. The redshirt junior hasn’t seen too much of the field since arriving on campus, but he brings a change-of-pace element.
Smith split out wide in high school and has excellent speed and agility. Perhaps he plays well in a backup role in 2022 and shines as a starter in 2023. Regardless, it’s all projection up to this point.
R.J. Sneed II and Daniel Arias, WR
Brenden Rice is out, but R.J. Sneed II is in. Sneed has registered 40+ catches and 400+ yards in each of the last three years at Baylor. He is an inside/outside threat that moves the chains. The Buffaloes expect a lot from their new sure-handed weapon, and another solid season should turn into Day 3 capital.
Daniel Arias was a three-star recruit in the 2018 class and came with clear potential. Still, he’s yet to record over 20 catches in a single season. His 6’4″ and 210-pound frame, paired with his downfield speed, should worry defenses. But that physical tools have yet to translate.
Brady Russell, TE
Want to know how lowly Colorado’s passing attack was last season? Brady Russell led the team in receptions … with 25. That’s suboptimal. And that isn’t a knock on Russell. The 6’3″ and 250-pound former walk-on has become a reliable receiving threat. He isn’t stiff after the catch, either, forcing missed tackles and churning forward.
Russell will be a 25-year-old rookie, but that isn’t the same knock at tight end as it is for other positions. Another solid showing as a pass catcher and blocker could lead to late-Day 3 or UDFA consideration.
Jake Wiley, OT
Injuries thrusted Jake Wiley into the starting lineup last season, and it was a trial by fire. A team-leading six penalties committed and seven sacks allowed later, Wiley looks to build off his experience.
He has the size at 6’6″ and 310 pounds, as well as the requisite length to hold up at tackle. Wiley must improve his technique and remain disciplined as a run and pass blocker. But if he can make the necessary strides in his development, he could feature in future NFL draft classes — just not in 2023.
Tommy Brown, G
An Alabama transfer, there is obvious hype surrounding Tommy Brown. He played well in limited reps with the Crimson Tide and is a towering human at 6’7″ and 330 pounds. Brown will most likely factor in at guard for the Buffaloes. If he routinely creates a clean pocket and bullies Pac-12 defenders on the ground, the 2023 draft may be in reach.
Noah Fenske, C
Noah Fenske transferred from offensive line factory Iowa in 2021. He saw the most snaps of his career last year with a whopping 32. However, he’s now slated to start at center. With two years of eligibility remaining and little experience under his belt, Fenske will presumably return for the 2023 season.
Casey Roddick, G
Casey Roddick is hard to miss on the field at 6’4″ and 325 pounds. But there’s a reason he’s received zero attention from draft analysts and scouts alike. Roddick struggles in pass protection, and his run blocking is average to below. Roddick is a decent college player, but the NFL is an entirely different level.
Frank Fillip, OT
Frank Fillip possesses NFL size (6’7″, 295 pounds), but that’s where the pro projection currently stops. Injuries have been a concern, and he allowed a team-leading nine sacks last season. Unless his pass blocking drastically improves this year, it’s difficult seeing Fillip crack an NFL roster.
Jalen Sami, Na’im Rodman, and Janaz Jordan, DT
The Buffaloes have depth along the defensive interior. Chief among the unit is the massive 6’6″ and 325-pound Jalen Sami. Sami stuffed runs from nose tackle this year but will receive more snaps in the B gap as Colorado transitions to a 4-3 defense. He’s had no issue plugging holes due to his sheer dimensions and isn’t a liability as a pass rusher. Now shaded over, generating more pressure will push Sami on a few draft boards.
Na’im Rodman and Janaz Jordan will rotate with Sami as the top three defensive tackles on the depth chart. Rodman is a short but stout 6’2″ and 305 pounds. He played over tackle some last year but will likely stick more on the inside in 2022. Jordan primarily saw reps on the edge but transitioned to a true 6’4″ and 335-pound DT. Neither has done enough to warrant 2023 draft attention, but with an increase in snaps, they may earn fans come the season’s end.
Terrance Lang, EDGE
Terrance Lang has been a staple piece on CU’s defensive front for years and is an intriguing prospect. At 6’7″ and 290 pounds, Lang owns prototypical NFL size. He should add to his career 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in a new role this year.
Colorado’s 4-3 scheme should ask Lang to sit at DE on base looks and kick inside on passing downs — playing to his skill set. With Carson Wells gone, CU will look to Lang to fill the void.
Guy Thomas, EDGE
Guy Thomas is entering his sixth collegiate season. Nevertheless, he has the opportunity to truly showcase his ability in 2022. Thomas was the fourth-ranked junior college OLB in the 2020 class and was a strong run defender a year ago. A big year could open some eyes this season, but it will take a monstrous campaign to reach the NFL’s radar.
Quinn Perry and Robert Barnes, LB
2021 was Quinn Perry’s first year starting … and his inexperience was noticeable. He gave up touchdowns in coverage, missed tackles, and was lackluster against the run. However, it’s reasonable to anticipate positive regression this year.
Meanwhile, Robert Barnes formerly flashed as a safety for Oklahoma. But that was back in 2018. Last season was Barnes’ first at linebacker for Colorado, so like Perry, linear growth is expected. Both players have potential, but that’s all it will be until they step up on the field.
Josh Chandler-Semedo, LB
Josh Chandler-Semedo manned West Virginia’s starting LB position for three years and led the team in tackles last season. A sure tackler, stout run stopper, and decent coverage defender, there are few glaring holes in Chandler-Semedo’s game. At 5’10” and 225 pounds, he’s a bit undersized, which will knock his draft stock. Nonetheless, shining in another system will only improve his outlook.
Nigel Bethel Jr. and Jaylen Striker, CB
It’s a young cornerback room in Boulder, and Nigel Bethel Jr. and Jaylen Striker are the seniors of the group. Yet, neither is slated to start this year, with Nikko Reed and Kaylin Moore securing first-team reps. Bethel transferred from Miami in 2019 and hasn’t earned more than rotational reps. He’s played well when on the field, but unless he earns more reps, it will be nearly impossible to make noise on the draft circuit.
Striker joined the Buffaloes after dominating at Independence CC and looks to crack the rotation in 2022. At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, he sports eye-catching size and length, but Striker needs to prove his mettle on the FBS level.
Isaiah Lewis, S
Enter his third year as a starter, Isaiah Lewis is the unit’s catalyst. He produced six pass deflections in 2020, displaying his ball skills in coverage. Then, last season, he snatched two interceptions and improved as a run defender.
Lewis has always been a reliable tackler and is a versatile piece in the secondary, lining up in the box, slot, and at deep safety. Another productive campaign should endear him to NFL decision-makers.