The Colorado Buffaloes (1-1) have completed their first two games of their season, and on Saturday, the Buffs will be heading to their second road rivalry game in just as many weeks. As the Buffaloes face off against the Colorado State Rams (1-1) this weekend, some former Buffaloes will be heading into their second week of the NFL season.
The first week of the season started on Thursday night, and nine former Buffs are in the NFL, including practice squad players.
Every football player dreams of playing in the NFL and hopes to hear their name called on draft night. Only 28 former Buffs have heard their name called on draft night since 2005. In recent years, the Buffaloes haven't had any players drafted onto a team; the last player drafted onto an NFL team from Colorado was offensive tackle Will Sherman in the 2021 Draft by the New England Patriots in the sixth round at No. 197 overall.
Although former Buffs haven't been drafted in recent years, many different players have made a 53-man active roster in the NFL, including seven ex-Buffs to start the 2024 season.
Here are the seven former Buffaloes who made a 53-man roster this NFL season:
Chidobe Awuzie (2013-2016), cornerback:
Chidobe Awuzie is on the roster for the Tennessee Titans and was selected in the 2017 NFL Draft as a second-round pick. On Sunday, Awuzie took the field for the season's debut and faced off Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Awuzie was the starting cornerback for the Titans and recorded one tackle for the game.
Nate Landman (2017-2021), linebacker:
Nate Landman is in his third NFL season with the Atlanta Falcons. Landman was a 2022 undrafted free agent, and he was picked up by the Falcons in 2022. On Sunday, Landman took the field for the season's first game and faced off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite not starting, Landman still recorded seven tackles.
Isaiah Oliver (2015-2017), safety:
Isaiah Oliver is on the New York Jets' roster and was a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. On Monday night, Oliver and the Jets faced off against the San Francisco 49ers. Oliver did not play in the game and the Jets fell to the 49ers, 32-19.
Brady Russell (2018-2022), tight end:
Brady Russell was an unrestricted free agent in 2023 before being picked up and signed by the Seattle Seahawks. On Sunday, Russell did not appear in the game, but the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos, 26-20.
Laviska Shenault Jr. (2017-2019), wide receiver:
Laviska Shenault Jr. is also on the roster for the Seahawks and was a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Shenault was not a starting WR but did appear in the game and got one reception.
Xavier Weaver (2023), WR:
Xavier Weaver is the only player from Colorado’s “Prime Era.” Weaver is on the roster for the Arizona Cardinals and was signed as a 2024 undrafted free agent. According to injury reports, Weaver was listed with an oblique injury and could return to the field in Week 2.
Juwann Winfree (2016-2018), WR:
Juwann Winfree is on the roster for the Indianapolis Colts and was a sixth-round draft pick in 2019. He did not play in Sunday's game against Texas since he was placed on the injury reserve, but the injury is undisclosed. He is not expected to return for the 2024 season.
Practice Squads:
LB Derrick McLendon and OT Will Sherman did not make any 53-man rosters but did make practice squads. McLendon was picked up by the Miami Dolphins, and Sherman by the Denver Broncos.
Graphic by Nick Evans/Sko Buffs Sports
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