The Colorado State Rams didn’t have much go well for them in head coach Jay Norvell’s first season with the program. After a 3-9 finish, Norvell aggressively added talent to help bolster a rebuilding team. We’re diving into the Rams’ 2024 NFL Draft prospects, schedule, and roster changes.
Colorado State Rams Roster and Depth Chart Changes
The Rams failed to produce a draft pick in the 2023 class, but three graduates did earn training camp invites. Losing any notable production would further hurt a roster that struggled to survive in the first year of a new regime. Norvell quickly took to the transfer portal to revamp his roster, adding more than 30 new players.
We’ll see if any of the additions are especially notable once the season begins, but having more talent on the two-deep can’t hurt. One of their incoming transfers, tight end Dallin Holker from BYU, is a possible NFL prospect. The rest will have this season to prove themselves.
Colorado State NFL Draft Prospects
Tory Horton, WR
Seeing Tory Horton return to campus for his senior season in 2023 was surprising. The 6’2″, 187-pounder produced 71 receptions for 1,131 yards and eight touchdowns in 2022 alone. The former Nevada playmaker all but carried an offense that otherwise struggled with consistency and identity.
There’s no question Horton has value at the NFL level. He’s an effortless speedster who got over the top of some excellent corners, including Decorian Patterson and all of Michigan’s defenders. It’s not an accident Horton had at least 69 yards or one touchdown in seven of the nine games that he was fully healthy.
Horton tracks the ball well and can sustain his speed on more straight-line routes like posts, crossers, and go’s.
He can break away from defenders and erase angles in the open fields, giving him value when he slides into the slot against zone and man coverages. Though he’s not especially agile with his short-area cuts, it’s not surprising, considering his high-cut build.
With his ability to win jump balls and his nuanced skill to show his hands at the last second on contested catches, Horton is a real handful to defend. He has a big man’s game despite not being exceptionally long. He has a solid Day 2 grade as someone who can add verticality to any offense.
Dallin Holker, TE
NFL evaluators have their eyes on Holker this fall as he enters his first season with the Rams. Previously at BYU, Holker missed most of 2022 due to an ankle injury three games into the season. At 6’3″ and 231 pounds, Holker had shown good quickness and promise in 2018 and 2021.
We’ll see where Holker is physically in 2023. As an older prospect in a loaded tight end class, he has an uphill climb as a draftable talent, but he’s worth watching.
Mohamed Kamara, EDGE
As the NFL continues to embrace multiple fronts, non-traditional edge defenders may see more consideration for investment. Mohamed Kamara could benefit from coaching staffs being open to shorter, quicker defenders.
While Kamara sometimes struggles because he’s closer to 6’1″ and lacks the ideal length to create space, he has the quickness to get into the chest of blockers before pivoting and changing directions.
Kamara is a good athlete who can fight through contact and bend past his blocker to disrupt quarterbacks. He’s not overly powerful in the run game but can be respectable enough not to be a liability. NFL teams will care more about his disruptiveness.
With 28.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks in his career, Kamara has to continue being a sack artist who overcomes his size to be drafted. His raw skills should certainly have him in the mix.
Colorado State Rams Schedule
- Week 1
BYE - Week 2
Sept. 2: vs. Washington State Cougars - Week 3
BYE - Week 4
Sept. 16: at Colorado Buffaloes - Week 5
Sept. 23: at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders - Week 6
Sept. 30: vs. Utah Tech Trailblazers - Week 7
Oct. 7: at Utah State Aggies - Week 8
Oct. 14: vs. Boise State Broncos - Week 9
Oct. 21: at UNLV Rebels - Week 10
Oct. 28: vs. Air Force Falcons - Week 11
Nov. 3: at Wyoming Cowboys - Week 12
Nov. 11: vs. San Diego State Aztecs - Week 13
Nov. 18: vs. Nevada Wolf Pack - Week 14
Nov. 25: at Hawaii Rainbow Warriors - Week 15
BYE
