Buffs Make Noise in NFL Preseason Debuts
August 11, 2025 | Football
Wester’s 87-yard return, Sanders’ two TDs lead big week for former Buffs in NFL preseason
BOULDER — From highlight-reel touchdowns to defensive stops, former Colorado Buffaloes wasted no time making their mark in the NFL preseason. LaJohntay Wester, Shedeur Sanders, and a host of other Buffs delivered standout performances in their professional debuts this week.
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 | LaJohntay Wester – 2 receptions, 41 yards, 3 targets; 3 punt returns, 106 yards, 1 touchdown (87-yard return)
On a night the Baltimore Ravens struggled in the passing game with starter Lamar Jackson sitting out, LaJohntay Wester provided the play of the game. In the first quarter, Wester fielded a punt at the 13-yard line, blew through traffic and an arm tackle, then raced up the Colts' sideline for an 87-yard touchdown. He also caught two passes for a game-high 41 yards, including a 30-yard reception.
Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 | Shedeur Sanders – 14 of 23, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 turnovers
Shedeur Sanders made his NFL preseason debut by completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, leading the Cleveland Browns to a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Sanders delivered in the second quarter, finding Kalen Davis for a 7-yard touchdown between two defenders to tie the game. With 1:04 left in the first half, he hit Davis again for the go-ahead score. He also led Cleveland on another scoring drive that was capped by a Gage Larvadain 4-yard jet sweep.
Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 | Jimmy Horn Jr. – 4 receptions, 15 yards
While Sanders starred for Cleveland, former Buff Jimmy Horn Jr. had a productive night for Carolina, catching a game-high four passes on five targets for 15 yards.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Travis Hunter – 18 total snaps (5 defense, 13 offense), 2 receptions, 9 yards
Travis Hunter recorded two catches in limited action. His third reception off a screen pass for seven yards before a penalty nullified the play.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, BJ Green II – 1 tackle each
Silmon-Craig and Green each registered a tackle in their preseason debuts.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Will Sheppard – 2 receptions, 20 yards
Sheppard led his team with two receptions for 20 yards on two targets.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Shilo Sanders – 1 tackle
Shilo Sanders made his debut for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with one tackle, stopping a running back in the middle of the field. He also delivered a clean hit on the quarterback to force an errant throw, living up to his reputation as a physical defender.
Other Buffs in the NFL
Xavier Weaver – Arizona Cardinals – 2 receptions, 14 yards, 1 touchdown
Weaver capped off 12-play, 55-yard drive finishing a strong second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown catch on a slant route. The Cardinals' scored 17-points in the second quarter.
Derrick McLendon – Miami Dolphins – 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
McLendon led the team with two tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with one sack in his preseason outing.
Other Buffs in preseason camps include Laviska Shenault Jr. (Buffalo Bills, seventh season), Christian Gonzalez (New England Patriots, third season), Isaiah Oliver (New York Jets, eighth season), Chidobe Awuzie (Baltimore Ravens, ninth season), Will Sherman (Denver Broncos, fourth season), Xavier Weaver (Arizona Cardinals, second season), Nate Landman (Los Angeles Rams, fourth season), Ahkello Witherspoon (Los Angeles Rams, ninth season), Brady Russell (Seattle Seahawks, third season), Mekhi Blackmon (Minnesota Vikings, third season), Brenden Rice (Los Angeles Chargers, second season), Mark Perry (Tennessee Titans, second season), Savion Washington (Los Angeles Chargers, rookie), Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan (Baltimore Ravens, rookie), Montana Lemonious-Craig (Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie), Nikko Reed (Los Angeles Chargers, rookie), Valentin Senn (Arizona Cardinals, rookie), Will Sheppard (Green Bay Packers, rookie) and Josh Tupou (Indianapolis Colts).
Buffs in the CFL include Mark Vassett, Mustafa Johnson, Kabion Ento and Davion Taylor.
Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025 | LaJohntay Wester – 2 receptions, 41 yards, 3 targets; 3 punt returns, 106 yards, 1 touchdown (87-yard return)
On a night the Baltimore Ravens struggled in the passing game with starter Lamar Jackson sitting out, LaJohntay Wester provided the play of the game. In the first quarter, Wester fielded a punt at the 13-yard line, blew through traffic and an arm tackle, then raced up the Colts' sideline for an 87-yard touchdown. He also caught two passes for a game-high 41 yards, including a 30-yard reception.
Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 | Shedeur Sanders – 14 of 23, 138 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 turnovers
Shedeur Sanders made his NFL preseason debut by completing 14 of 23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, leading the Cleveland Browns to a 30-10 win over the Carolina Panthers. Sanders delivered in the second quarter, finding Kalen Davis for a 7-yard touchdown between two defenders to tie the game. With 1:04 left in the first half, he hit Davis again for the go-ahead score. He also led Cleveland on another scoring drive that was capped by a Gage Larvadain 4-yard jet sweep.
Friday, Aug. 8, 2025 | Jimmy Horn Jr. – 4 receptions, 15 yards
While Sanders starred for Cleveland, former Buff Jimmy Horn Jr. had a productive night for Carolina, catching a game-high four passes on five targets for 15 yards.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Travis Hunter – 18 total snaps (5 defense, 13 offense), 2 receptions, 9 yards
Travis Hunter recorded two catches in limited action. His third reception off a screen pass for seven yards before a penalty nullified the play.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, BJ Green II – 1 tackle each
Silmon-Craig and Green each registered a tackle in their preseason debuts.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Will Sheppard – 2 receptions, 20 yards
Sheppard led his team with two receptions for 20 yards on two targets.
Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 | Shilo Sanders – 1 tackle
Shilo Sanders made his debut for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with one tackle, stopping a running back in the middle of the field. He also delivered a clean hit on the quarterback to force an errant throw, living up to his reputation as a physical defender.
Other Buffs in the NFL
Xavier Weaver – Arizona Cardinals – 2 receptions, 14 yards, 1 touchdown
Weaver capped off 12-play, 55-yard drive finishing a strong second quarter with a 1-yard touchdown catch on a slant route. The Cardinals' scored 17-points in the second quarter.
Derrick McLendon – Miami Dolphins – 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss
McLendon led the team with two tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with one sack in his preseason outing.
Other Buffs in preseason camps include Laviska Shenault Jr. (Buffalo Bills, seventh season), Christian Gonzalez (New England Patriots, third season), Isaiah Oliver (New York Jets, eighth season), Chidobe Awuzie (Baltimore Ravens, ninth season), Will Sherman (Denver Broncos, fourth season), Xavier Weaver (Arizona Cardinals, second season), Nate Landman (Los Angeles Rams, fourth season), Ahkello Witherspoon (Los Angeles Rams, ninth season), Brady Russell (Seattle Seahawks, third season), Mekhi Blackmon (Minnesota Vikings, third season), Brenden Rice (Los Angeles Chargers, second season), Mark Perry (Tennessee Titans, second season), Savion Washington (Los Angeles Chargers, rookie), Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan (Baltimore Ravens, rookie), Montana Lemonious-Craig (Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie), Nikko Reed (Los Angeles Chargers, rookie), Valentin Senn (Arizona Cardinals, rookie), Will Sheppard (Green Bay Packers, rookie) and Josh Tupou (Indianapolis Colts).
Buffs in the CFL include Mark Vassett, Mustafa Johnson, Kabion Ento and Davion Taylor.
Players Mentioned
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