On April 4, 2025, the Colorado Buffaloes will host their much-anticipated Pro Day, featuring standout talents Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, both of whom are poised to make significant impacts in the upcoming NFL Draft. This event will be broadcast live on NFL Network, as announced by the school on March 24, 2025.
Beginning at 9 a.m., the Pro Day will kick off with measurements and bench press tests at the school's indoor practice facility. The spotlight will not only shine on Sanders and Hunter but also on 14 other draft-eligible players hoping to impress NFL scouts. Among those participating are linebacker LaVonta Bentley, defensive linemen Shane Cokes and BJ Green II, and several prominent receivers including Jimmy Horn Jr. and Will Sheppard.
The two-hour NFL Network broadcast, scheduled from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., aims to capture the day's proceedings, including vertical jumps, broad jumps, and various other drills that could sway potential NFL teams. Notably, both Hunter and Sanders chose to skip the drills at the NFL Combine, potentially heightening expectations around their performances at this Pro Day.
As they prepare for this showcase, draft analysts anticipate both players could be selected in the top five. Recent mock drafts project Shedeur Sanders to go second overall to the Cleveland Browns and Hunter to follow shortly at third to the New York Giants. While these projections generate excitement, they also stir discussions about other talented players who could be overlooked, including the impressive trio of receivers from Colorado.
The significance of this Pro Day extends beyond immediate player evaluations. It also serves as a marker for Colorado's resurgence in college football, highlighted by their trip to the Alamo Bowl after a competitive season where they contended for the Big 12 title. Hunter, celebrated as the best player in college football, alongside Sanders, recognized for his quarterback acumen, has led a charge that revitalized the Buffaloes.
Yet, Shedeur Sanders’ draft stock appears to be in a bit of flux. Some analysts believe his performance might not warrant a first-round selection. Despite solid college statistics—4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns—evaluators are critical of his ability to handle pressure situations. His pressure-to-sack rate of 20.9% over four seasons raises concerns about his athleticism and decision-making under duress.
In a recent mock draft by Pro Football Focus, the scenario played out where the New York Giants missed out on both Sanders and Cam Ward, with the Titans selecting Ward and the Browns choosing Sanders. This situation leads to speculation about the Giants possibly pivoting to draft Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter instead. Carter's stellar PFF pass-rush grade of 92.4 in 2024 hints at his value, positioning him as a solid option for the Giants.
However, rounding out the situation, Chris Broussard has called for the Giants to still consider drafting Sanders even after signing Jameis Winston, emphasizing that a backup plan may be prudent given their quarterback situation.
The prevailing narrative underlines a complex web of decisions that NFL teams, particularly the Giants, will have to navigate as they weigh immediate needs against long-term investment in a quarterback like Sanders, who, while possessing talent, might not yet be regarded as a franchise-altering player in the way many hopeful teams desire.
As April 4 approaches, anticipation will build not only for Hunter and Sanders but for the entire group of athletes who have a chance to change their professional trajectories with strong performances. The implications of Pro Day will resonate long after as teams set their sights on the NFL Draft, expected to introduce a new class of talent into the league.
