The Deion Sanders era at the University of Colorado didn’t produce the wins Buffaloes fans were hoping for in 2025 – the team finished 3-9 overall with only one Big 12 Conference victory. Yet, despite a disappointing season on the field, Sanders accomplished a key objective: showcasing his players to NFL decision-makers. This week, Colorado’s Pro Day drew nearly every NFL franchise, underlining that individual talent can shine even in a challenging season.
On Tuesday, the annual Pro Day, sometimes referred to as an NFL Showcase, featured 19 recent Colorado graduates who were eager to impress scouts ahead of the NFL draft, set for April 23.
According to DNVR’s Scott Procter, representatives from 28 NFL teams attended, including high-profile squads such as the Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, and Seattle Seahawks.
Both conference champions, Seattle and New England, were in attendance, signaling that even teams competing at the highest level wanted to examine the Buffaloes’ prospects firsthand.
Despite the team’s struggles in 2025, Colorado produced several standout players. Offensive linemen Zarian McGill and Zylon Crisler were anchors on the line, while cornerbacks Preston Hodge and Ivan Yates, linebacker Jeremiah Brown, and kicker Alejandro Mata brought consistency to their respective units.
Each participant brought unique skills to the showcase, providing scouts with a broad view of Colorado’s potential NFL talent.
Buffaloes showcase individual talent despite team struggles
Quarterback Kaidon Salter drew attention with an unofficial 35.5-inch vertical jump and a 4.61-second 40-yard dash, marks that would have ranked among the top quarterbacks at last month’s NFL Combine. Though his decision-making and on-field processing have been questioned due to inconsistent collegiate playing time, his raw athleticism was undeniable.
Wide receiver Sincere Brown displayed elite straight-line speed, running an unofficial 4.38-second 40-yard dash. While he struggled with consistency during games, his ability to stretch defenses vertically was evident, highlighted by long touchdown plays during the 2025 season.
On the offensive line, 313-pound Xavier Hill impressed scouts by running a 5.00-second 40-yard dash and recording a 30-inch vertical jump. Hill‘s blend of size and mobility, combined with prior accolades such as Pro Football Focus’ Big 12 Offensive Left Guard of the Week, made him a compelling prospect despite a single season at Colorado.
While Colorado did not send players to the official NFL Combine this year, Pro Day offered the athletes a critical opportunity to prove their potential at the next level. For many, it was a chance to demonstrate that talent can exist independently of team results, and for others, it could serve as the moment that determines whether they earn a shot at an NFL roster.
Coach Prime’s mission to help Buffaloes players reach the professional ranks continues to gain momentum, even if the 2025 season itself fell short of expectations.
