Colorado Buffaloes NFL Showcase: Shedeur Sanders Seen With Denver Broncos' Sean Payton

The Colorado Buffaloes completed their NFL Showcase on Friday. Buffaloes star Travis Hunter decided not to participate in the pro day drills, but he did run routes for quarterback Shedeur Sanders' throwing session. Sanders impressed on a couple of deep balls during his workout.

Oct 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; University of Colorado Buffaloes football players Shedeur Sanders (L) and Travis Hunter (R) watch during the third period between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The Colorado Buffaloes pro day, also known as their NFL Showcase, is taking place on Friday, April 4 on Colorado's campus. Scouts and personnel from nearly every team are expected to be in Boulder, Colorado, with top NFL Draft prospects like quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter in attendance.

Colorado's pro day began at 9 a.m. MT with measurements and athletic testing for all participants, like the bench press, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, and more. In the afternoon were position drills for linebackers, linemen, quarterbacks, wide receivers, defensive backs, and specialists. The NFL Network is televised the event.

Oct 24, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; University of Colorado Buffaloes football players Shedeur Sanders (L) and Travis Hunter (R) watch during the third period between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers at Ball Arena. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

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After his workout, Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a conversation with Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton. The Broncos don't need a quarterback after drafting Bo Nix in the first round in 2024, but the conversation between Payton and Sanders is certainly worth noting.

Shedeur Sanders finished his throwing session and showed off the deep ball. The majority of throws were underneath routes, but he showed off his arm strength on a few deep routes.

According to the NFL Network broadcast, Shedeur Sanders is confirmed to be throwing and Travis Hunter will be part of the group of receivers that run routes on Friday.

Buffaloes coach Deion Sanders was interviewed on ESPN's SportsCenter, and he talked about which side of the ball that Hunter should start with once drafted. "Coach Prime" said offense and wide receiver.

"I would send him with the offense because the offense is harder to digest. It's harder to understand. Defensively, he's probably gonna be in man (coverage) most of the time, cover three, cover four, two, whatever. That's easy, that's very simplistic for him, but getting the understanding of the offense and the checks and timing with the quarterback and that relationship. That's where he should go first," said Sanders.

Unofficial 40-yard dash times

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders ran his first 40-yard dash attempt in an unofficial 4.50 seconds.

Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Webster ran his 40-yard dash in an unofficial 4.53 seconds, a few ticks slower than his 4.46 at the NFL Combine.

According to Jake Schwanitz of DNVR Buffs, Buffaloes receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. ran his 40-yard dash in an unofficial 4.40 seconds.

Unofficial results for bench press, vertical

Colorado defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo's 30 reps on the bench press would have been the most out of defense tackles at the NFL Combine.

Shilo Sanders' broad jump

Before the day began, NFL insider James Palmer reported that Hunter is not expected to workout on Friday. With his draft stock relatively secure as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, Hunter's decision is not surprising. Will Sanders follow suit and sit out on Friday?

According to the Buffaloes, NFL Network reporters Steve Wyche and Brian Baldinger will be in town for the broadcast.

Neither Sanders nor Hunter participated in any drills at the NFL Combine or Big 12 pro day, placing a lot of attention on Colorado's pro day. News of Hunter not participating broke early on Friday morning, but Sanders is still expected to throw and a number of eyes will be on

The celebrity alone of Hunter, Sanders, and Colorado coach Deion Sanders is enough for football fans to tune in. Buffaloes safety Shilo Sanders, defensive lineman Chidozie Nwankwo, and wide receiver Will Sheppard were among a number of players who did not receive an invite to the NFL Combine, meaning Colorado's pro day is their best chance to perform in front of NFL coaches and scouts.

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Although Hunter is not working out, his star power has still brought a number of NFL personnel to the Buffaloes campus, giving his teammates an opportunity to boost their draft stock in front of the right people.

Colorado wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and he recently predicted an even faster time in a recent interview with Wyche and fellow NFL Network analyst Mike Garafolo.

"I ain't sitting on that," Horn said of his 4.46-second time. "I know I'm way faster than that."

While the Buffaloes' NFL Showcase might not make or break anyone's draft stock, it certainly places a spotlight on Colorado's program on Friday. Will Sanders throw? Can Horn Jr. improve his 40-yard dash time?

Oct 19, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffalos wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Here is the list of Colorado Buffaloes participating (alphabetical order):

LaVonta Bentley, linebacker
Shane Cokes, defensive lineman
BJ Green II, defensive end
Jimmy Horn Jr., wide receiver
Travis Hunter, wide receiver/cornerback
Travis Jay, safety
Justin Mayers, offensive lineman
Chidozie Nwankwo, defensive lineman
Shedeur Sanders, quarterback
Shilo Sanders, safety
Will Sheppard, wide receiver
Cam'ron Silmon-Craig, safety
Herman Smith III, safety
Kardell Thomas, offensive lineman
Mark Vassett, punter
LaJohntay Wester, wide receiver

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