For a program with as much historical fanfare as the Colorado Buffaloes, you’d think first-round NFL Draft picks would be a regular occurrence. After all, this is the same team that won a national title (or at least claimed one) in 1990. And they even produced legends like Rashaan Salaam and Kordell Stewart. But the NFL Draft can be brutally honest—it doesn’t care about past glory, only present-day talent. So the question stands: When did Colorado last break into the top 32 picks on draft night?
The Last First-Round NFL Buff? It’s Complicated
The last time a player with Colorado connections was taken in the first round was in 2023. It was when Christian Gonzalez, a cornerback who began his college career in Boulder, was drafted 17th overall by the New England Patriots. Gonzalez transferred to Oregon after two seasons with the Buffs. This meant Colorado played a role in his early development, but he didn’t finish there. So does that count? Technically yes, sentimentally… maybe not.
If you’re looking for a player who spent their entire college career at Colorado and still heard their name called in the opening round, you’ll need to rewind to 2011. It was when Nate Solder, an athletic offensive tackle, was also picked 17th overall by the Patriots. Solder was a massive presence (literally—6’8”) on CU’s line and went on to win two Super Bowls in New England. Since then?
Nada. Zilch. Zero first-rounders. That’s a 14-year drought if you’re only counting full-time Buffs.
It’s not like Colorado hasn’t sent players to the league—guys like Jimmy Smith, Chidobe Awuzie, and Isaiah Oliver were all solid NFL contributors. But none heard their names on Day 1 of the draft. And things got even more dismal between 2022 and 2024: for the first time since the NFL Draft began in 1936, Colorado didn’t have a single player drafted for three consecutive years.
Coach Prime’s Arrival and a First-Round Forecast
Enter Deion Sanders, aka Coach Prime, who turned college football upside down the minute he arrived in Boulder. The Hall of Famer didn’t just bring his swagger—he brought five-star recruits, transfer portal hype, national attention, and a real shot at ending the first-round drought.
Top of that list? His son, Shedeur Sanders. The quarterback has already made waves with his decision-making, pocket presence, and poise under pressure. In 2023, despite playing behind one of the worst offensive lines in the country, he threw for over 3,200 yards and 27 touchdowns in just 11 games.
NFL scouts are watching, and while opinions vary—some doubt his ability to make “off-script” throws under pressure—Sanders is almost certainly a Day 1 or Day 2 pick in 2025. His poise, intelligence, and leadership are hard to ignore.
Then there’s Travis Hunter, arguably the most electrifying player in college football. He plays both wide receiver and cornerback, logging over 1,000 total snaps in 2023. Hunter racked up 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense and added three interceptions and 30 tackles on defense. Some mock drafts project him to go as high as No. 2 overall in 2025. He’s a rare two-way star in an era of specialization—a modern-day Charles Woodson, and guess what? NFL teams love versatility.
Coach Prime said it best: “We’re not just building a football team—we’re building men, pros. These guys are different. They’re first-round material, and it’s not just hype.”
Whether or not both Shedeur and Travis go in Round 1 next April, one thing’s for sure—Colorado is back in the conversation. And the days of watching the draft without hearing a Buff’s name in the first round might be numbered.
Colorado’s NFL Draft history may have been spotty recently, but the future is full of promise. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter on the radar of nearly every NFL front office, Boulder may soon become a hotspot for scouts again. After years of irrelevance in draft conversations, the Buffs are finally turning heads.
KEEP READING: Colorado 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting Where Every Buffaloes’ Star Will Be Drafted
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the product of bold recruiting, branding, coaching, and the charisma of Coach Prime. Beyond the 2025 draft class, Colorado is also building a foundation of young talent that could produce multiple first-rounders in the next few seasons. Think five-star cornerbacks like Cormani McClain, or 2025 QB recruit Antwann Hill Jr.
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