Colorado Buffaloes' Deion Sanders Welcomes Back Familiar Player With Powerful Story

After a life-changing announcement that shook the Colorado Buffaloes locker room last fall, coach Deion Sanders and the Buffs are proud to welcome back junior defensive lineman Nikhil Webb Walker.

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Last October, Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Nikhil Webb Walker stood before his teammates and delivered a message that would shock them and shift the tone of the season.

Walker, standing alongside Colorado coach Deion Sanders, announced that he had been diagnosed with lymphoma and would need to begin chemotherapy immediately.

Oct 26, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

"I don’t want to be a distraction to the team," Walker told his teammates. "I want to see how you all boys do, what you all do, and just keep winning — conference championship, bowl game, national championship. That’s why I’ve kept it under wraps."

Coach Prime comforts Colorado player, Nikhil Webb Walker, who has recently been diagnosed with Lymphoma:

“We love you, and we’re here for you.”🙏

🎥@DeionSandersJr pic.twitter.com/SJJCcFRn75

— GUCCE🦬🐦‍⬛ (@gucceCU) October 25, 2024

It was a gut-wrenching moment, not just for Walker but for the entire Buffaloes locker room that had grown close early in the season.

In recognition of their teammate, the Buffaloes dedicated their next game, a victory over Cincinnati at Folsom Field, to Walker. After the game, coach Deion Sanders embraced Walker in front of the team.

I love my team🫶🏾 https://t.co/9B3YKgVf0v

— ✞ Nikhil Webb Walker🇯🇲 (@NikhilWalker1) October 28, 2024

Throughout the season, "Coach Prime" and the Buffs continued to pay tribute to Walker with heartfelt gestures, recognizing that his fight suddenly extended far beyond the football field.

Coach Prime hangs a jersey of Nikhil Webb-Walker, who was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma, in his dressing room before Texas Tech game🙏 pic.twitter.com/HjIJwQZ5l7

— GUCCE🦬🐦‍⬛ (@gucceCU) November 9, 2024

Despite missing the final eight games of the 2024 season, Walker remained deeply involved with the team, even attending the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, and receiving his bowl game jersey. His resolve earned him Colorado’s nomination for the Disney Spirit Award, given annually to college football’s most inspirational figure.

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But just nine months later, Walker is already back on the practice field. The junior defensive end from Trelawny, Jamaica, recently completed Colorado’s summer workouts and has rejoined the team in full, offering a powerfully inspiring story of resilience and determination.

Now, back in Boulder, Walker has wasted no time getting back to work.

“All I can say is I made it through summer workouts coming back—that’s all I can really say, man. We got camp next,” Walker told Darius of Reach the People Media during Colorado’s final summer workout.

@NikhilWalker1🇯🇲 just finished summer workouts with the team—and it hits different knowing the battle he’s fought. Coming back from cancer, his determination is unmatched.
He’s already won in so many ways. Can’t wait to see him making plays at Folsom Field. 🦬 😤 #SkoBuffs #CFB… pic.twitter.com/0HLZiO1hzm

— Ossacin’s Ducktail (@OssacinDucktail) July 19, 2025

After months of chemotherapy treatment and uncertainty, simply being able to complete summer workouts was a victory in itself.

Uncle Neely of Thee Pregameshow recently commented on Walker's return, saying, "He ain't back just going through the motions, he's back to play."

Walker’s presence is more than just symbolic. At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, he’s a huge physical addition to Colorado's defense and adds competitive depth along the edge.

Walker played in the first five games of the 2024 season before stepping away for treatment. In that time, Walker was mainly delegated to special teams play, but in 2025, Walker will look to compete with a competitive room of defensive linemen under defensive line coach and former NFL tackle, Domata Peko.

Whether or not Walker earns the opportunity to slot in as a rotational piece this fall, Folsom Field should be ready to welcome him back with a thundering reception when the Buffaloes take on Georgia Tech on Aug. 29.