Even during the lean years when draft picks from Colorado weren’t as plentiful as in years past, a Buffs tight end was never too far from being selected.
Joe Klopfenstein continued the tradition of NFL-bound tight ends from CU, selected Saturday by the St. Louis Rams in the second round (46th overall). He is the third CU tight end drafted in the past 11 years, joining Christian Fauria and Daniel Graham.
Widely considered the Buffs’ best pro prospect, the 6-foot-6, 258-pound Klopfenstein knew of St. Louis’ potential interest after a visit to the organization this month.
“He is a tight end that we have had our eye on,” Rams coach Scott Linehan said. “We were hoping to be in a position to have a chance to get to this guy. Next to Vernon Davis, he was the next tight end on our board.
“He has unbelievable measurables. He is in the 6-6 range, 245, he ran in the 4.5s at the combine, which is freak-like measurables. Sometimes they don’t translate, but he translates them on the field. He had an excellent workout at the combine. He really increased his value with us.”
Said Klopfenstein of the visit: “I went in there and liked it a lot. I was able to meet with the coaches, and I like them a lot. I went and saw the team. It seems like it’s a good place to play, and I’m excited to be there.”
Klopfenstein caught 80 passes for 937 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Buffs. He arrived at CU supposedly as the heir apparent to Quinn Sypniewski, who took over for Graham. Injuries kept Sypniewski at CU longer than expected and Klopfenstein blossomed anyway.
His blocking became one of the best aspects of his game. He was always known as a skilled receiver with good speed.
“At the Houston Bowl (against UTEP in 2004) I was able to stretch the field,” Klopfenstein said. “When I get singled up on those safeties, it’s a mismatch. If they put the ball up there, more often than not, I’m going to be able to go up there and get it.”
Chris Dempsey can be reached at 303-820-5455 or cdempsey@denverpost.com.
