For the fourth time in the last five years, no University of Colorado players were selected in the NFL draft.
There are several former Buffs getting an NFL opportunity, however.
Following the conclusion of the seven-round draft on Saturday, five CU players from the 2025 Buffs signed free agent deals with NFL teams: Anquin Barnes (New York Giants), Sincere Brown (Los Angeles Chargers), Xavier Hill (New York Jets), Preston Hodge (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Arden Walker (Minnesota Vikings).
In addition, quarterback Kaidon Salter received an invitation to rookie minicamp from the Tennessee Titans.
Barnes, a 6-foot-5, 340-pound defensive tackle, played two seasons at CU, appearing in 23 games, while recording 35 tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. He began his career with three seasons (2021-23) at Alabama.
Brown came to CU last year, playing in all 12 games, including 11 starts, at receiver. The 6-5 speedster caught 22 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns in his lone season with the Buffs. He began his career with three seasons (2021-23) at South Florida before a breakout season in 2024 at Campbell, where he caught 61 passes for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns.
After two stellar seasons at Memphis in 2023-24, Hill came to CU last year and was a rock on the offensive line, starting 10 games for the Buffs. The 6-4, 320-pounder, who began his career at LSU, was third on the Buffs’ line with 703 snaps last year and he allowed three sacks.
Hodge played two seasons in Boulder, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention both seasons. A 6-foot defensive back who played mostly in the nickel spot at CU, Hodge started all 12 games last year, posting 55 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception and a Big 12-leading 13 pass breakups. A transfer from Liberty, Hodge started nine games for CU in 2024 before an injury, posting 33 tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions.
Walker, a 6-2, 250-pound defensive end, was an 11-game starter last year for the Buffs, recording 46 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a safety. After beginning his career with two seasons (2021-22) at Missouri, the Cherry Creek High School grad played in 36 games in three seasons at CU. During his time with the Buffs, he had 91 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Salter spent one season in Boulder, starting nine games last year. He threw for 1,414 yards and 10 touchdowns, along with seven interceptions. He also rushed for 356 yards and five touchdowns. He spent the previous four seasons (2021-24) at Liberty, throwing for 5,887 yards and 56 touchdowns, while rushing for 2,063 yards and 21 scores.
While no CU players were drafted, there were a few who once played for the Buffs that were taken.
Receiver Jordyn Tyson, who played at CU in 2022 before starring at Arizona State, was selected No. 8 overall by the New Orleans Saints. Cornerback Colton Hood played the 2024 season at CU before transferring to Tennessee and he was a second round pick (No. 37 overall) by the Giants.
Tight end Seydou Traore never played a game for CU but transferred to the Buffs in the spring of 2023 after two seasons at Arkansas State. After that spring, however, he left for Mississippi State, spending three years with the Bulldogs. He was taken in the fifth round (No. 180) by the Miami Dolphins.
Offensive lineman Alex Harkey played for four schools, including CU in 2022, appearing in 12 games, mostly on special teams. He starred at Oregon last season and was selected in the sixth round (No. 206) by the Chargers.
In addition, linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (Los Angeles Rams), running back Anthony Hankerson (Dolphins) and offensive lineman Isaiah Jatta (Las Vegans Raiders) signed undrafted free agent deals. Hill-Green played the 2024 season at CU, Jatta was with the Buffs in 2023, and Hankerson played the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Buffs.
