Buffs In The NFL - Current - University of Colorado Athletics


	Chidobe Awuzie Dallas Cowboys - #33 Cornerback Rookie Year: Awuzie was selected with the 28th pick of the second round (60th overall) in 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. In doing so, he became the 45th defensive back from CU to be drafted in the common draft era. He joined fellow CU teammate Jordan Carrell in training camp, who was drafted by the Cowboys in the seventh round. Noteworthy: Awuzie finished his career at Colorado with 273 tackles, 22nd all-time at Colorado, with his 226 unassisted tackles the seventh-highest figure and his 26 tackles for loss the most by a defensive back (as were his nine quarterback sacks). He also finished second in career third down stops (47) and fifth in pass deflections (35). One of the most versatile players in recent memory at CU, as he played all four positions in the secondary: cornerback, free and strong safety and nickel as well as some outside linebacker. He played in the 2017 Senior Bowl and became the first CU player to be invited to attend the NFL Draft.
	David Bakhtiari Green Bay Packers - #69 Offensive Tackle Noteworthy: Bakhtiari is in his fifth season with the Packers who drafted him in the fourth round (129^thoverall) of the 2013 NFL Draft. He has started in every NFL game he has played in and is currently listed atop the depth chart at left tackle. Last season he was a second-team All-Pro selection and was named a Pro Bowl alternate. He was also named a Pro Bowl alternate in 2014. In 2013, Bakhtiari became the first rookie in Packers history to start every game at left tackle since the league expanded to a 16-game regular season in 1978.

	Ken Crawley New Orleans Saints - #20 Cornerback Noteworthy: Crawley is in his second season with the New Orleans Saints; he signed to a three-year deal as an undrafted free agent on May 2. Known to be a ball-hawk at CU, Crawley finished his career tied for third in career pass deflections with 36; he also had 201 total tackles ranking him No. 20 in school history among defensive backs. He was a consistent part of CU’s pass defense starting in all but two of the 47 games he played in over four years. Crawley earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors as a freshman.
	Mason Crosby Green Bay Packers - #2 Kicker Noteworthy: Crosby is in his 11th season in the NFL, all of which have been with the Packers who selected him in the sixth round (193^rd overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft. Crosby is the all-time leading scorer in Packers history and as a result is one of six players in history to lead a professional franchise and college team (307 points at CU) in career scoring. Crosby is also one of only seven players in NFL history to record two or more 140-point seasons (2007 & 2011). He ended his college career with a total of 31 game, season and career records while also setting Big 12 records for field goals made, attempted, and percentage.
?	Justin Drescher Arizona Cardinals - #49 Long Snapper Noteworthy: Noteworthy: Drescher is in his eighth season in the NFL and was signed by Arizona on October 10, 2017. He played his first seven seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, appearing in 102 career games as the team's long snapper. At Colorado, Drescher was a four-year letterwinner after winning the starting snapping duties as a true freshman and going on to play in every game during his four years at CU.
	Shay Fields Washington Redskins - Wide Receiver Rookie Year: Fields signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Redskins on April 28 right after the 2018 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: He finished his CU career third in receptions (190), second in receiving yards (2,552), tied for third in in TD receptions (21) and 30th in scoring (132 points). All those numbers ranked second among active leaders in the Pac-12 at the conclusion of his career. His 21 career TDs covered 740 yards, or 35.2 per score, second-highest in program history; he had 11 receptions of 50 or more yards, eight of which were scores.
	Jeremy Irwin New Orleans Saints - Offensive Line Rookie Year: Irwin signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Saints on April 28 right after the 2018 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: A sixth-year senior, he played in 46 career games with 36 starts (redshirted as a sophomore in 2013, received medical hardship waiver for 2015 season). He was a team captain as a junior and a senior, becoming one of 10 Buffs in program history to serve as a captain twice.
	Jimmie Gilbert San Francisco 49ers - #47 Linebacker Rookie Year: Gilbert signed signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. Since, he has been placed on the team's injured reserved list after a torn ACL during training camp. Noteworthy: Gilbert finished his career at CU tied for sixth all-time in quarterback sacks (20) for 156 yards in losses (also sixth). His 44 third down stops were the fourth-most in school history, his 31 tackles for loss were 18th and his nine forced fumbles tied for the third most. After his senior season, he was named to the Associated Press All-America third-team, becoming the first Buffalo to earn any honors from AP since Ryan Miller at offensive guard in 2011. He was also a first-team All-Pac-12 selection.
	Afolabi Laguda L.A. Rams - Safety Rookie Year: Laguda signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Rams on April 28 right after the 2018 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: He finished 101st all-time on CU’s tackles chart with 171 (114 solo). Laguda played in 39 games in his three years at CU with 26 starts and was a team captain for the Buffs as a senior in 2017.
	Phillip Lindsay Denver Broncos - Running Back Rookie Year: Lindsay signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Broncos on April 28 right after the 2018 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: Lindsay played in all 51 of CU's games in his career with 30 starts. He set 24 Colorado records and tied two others in his career. His most notable record is he became CU's all-time leader in all-purpose yards with 5,760. He also became the first TB in Colorado history to rush for over 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He is one of just three Buffs in program history to serve as a captain in three separate seasons.
	Daniel Munyer Arizona Cardinals - #62 Center/Guard Noteworthy: Munyer signed a “future” deal on Jan. 3, 2017 after spending the two seasons between the practice squad and active roster for the Kansas City Chiefs. He played in one game in 2015. At CU, Munyer earned honorable mention All-Pac 12 honors after his senior and sophomore seasons. He finished his career playing in 43 games, starting in 39, anchoring the offensive line at right offensive guard and center.
	Stephane Nembot Baltimore Ravens - #67 Offensive Tackle Noteworthy: Nembot is in his second season in the NFL, but has yet to play in a game having been listed on injured reserve. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens on May 6, 2016. At CU, he was a steady presence on the offensive line at for four seasons, starting 44-of-49 games played.
	Isaiah Oliver Atlanta Falcons - Cornerback Rookie Year: Oliver was selected with the 26th pick in the second round, No. 58 overall, by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2018 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: Oliver opted to declare for the NFL Draft after his junior season (the ninth player in CU history to do so). At CU, he recorded 32 passes broken up, tied for the 10th-most in school history (35 defended total including three interceptions, which tied for 13th). In 37 games including the 2016 Alamo Bowl (16 starts), he played with four defensive backs who made NFL rosters: Chidobe Awuzie (Cowboys), Kenneth Crawley (Saints), Tedric Thompson (Seahawks) and Ahkello Witherspoon (49ers). He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2017 when he had 15 passes defended in 10 games.
	Will Pericak Chicago Bears - #68 Offensive Line Noteworthy: Pericak is in his fifth season in the NFL, having signed with the Bears to a reserve/futures contract on Jan. 1, 2018. During his five-year career he has spent tim on the practice squad of six teams, including the Bills, Seahawks, Chargers, Jaguars, Ravens and Broncos. At Colorado, Pericak played on the defensive line. In his career, he had a school-record 49 starts, which was every game of his career; he also owns the record for most games played by a defensive player. In his career, Pericak totaled 207 tackles (his 125 solo were the fourth most by a CU defensive lineman), seven-and-a-half sacks, five forced fumbles, and three blocked kicks. He also earned honorable mention all-conference honors as a senior, junior, and sophomore and third-team Freshman All-American honors.
	Paul Richardson Washington Redskins - #10 Wide Receiver Noteworthy: Richardson is in his fourth year in the NFL having been selected by Seattle with the team’s first pick in the 2014 Draft (No. 45 overall, 2^nd round); he was the third highest receiver drafted in franchise history. He completed his CU career third all-time in receptions (156), fifth in receiving yards (2,423), and second in touchdown receptions (21). Overall, Richardson set or tied 29 school records during his three seasons played at CU.
	Devin Ross Tennessee Titans - Wide Receiver Rookie Year: Ross signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Titans on April 28 right after the 2018 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: In Colorado history, he finished eighth in receptions (140), 12th in receiving yards (1,621) and tied for 19th in touchdown receptions (9). He had four career 100-yard games and earned 67 first downs (64 rushing, 3 receiving), 54 over his last two seasons. He played in 49 games in his career and made 31 starts.
	Jimmy Smith Baltimore Ravens - #22 Cornerback Noteworthy: Smith is in his seventh NFL season, all with the Ravens who selected Smith in the 2011 NFL Draft with the 27^th pick of the first round. Smith was a key contributor for the Super Bowl-winning Ravens in 2012. At CU, Smith finished his career with 183 career tackles and 16 pass deflections.
	Nate Solder New York Giants - #77 Offensive Tackle Noteworthy: Solder is in his seventh NFL season, all with the Patriots; he was selected in the 2011 NFL Draft with the 17^th pick of the first round. Solder recorded his first career reception in the AFC Championship win against the Indianapolis Colts, resulting in a 16-yard touchdown. Solder was the first offensive tackle at Colorado to earn All-America honors since 1979 (Stan Brock) and also became the first-ever to garner consensus All-America honors at the position for the Buffaloes.
	Nelson Spruce Kansas City Chiefs- #9 Wide Receiver Noteworthy: Spruce is in his second season in the NFL, having been signed by the Chiefs on Mar. 30, 2018. He spent his rookie campaign in the NFL with the Rams. In his first preseason game, Spruce recorded six receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys. His performance caught the eyes of the popular television series Hard Knocks as he was featured heavily in second episode of the 2016 season. At CU, Spruce finished his career as the most decorated receiver in school history. He is atop various statistical categories at CU including career receptions (294), receiving yards (3,347), and touchdown receptions (23). Spruce set 41 school records and two Pac-12 Conference records. He was named second-team All-Pac-12 as a senior and junior.
	Tedric Thompson Seattle Seahawks - #33 Safety Rookie Year: Thopmson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks with the fourth pick of the fourth round (No. 111 overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. In doing so, he became the 47th defensive back from CU to be drafted in the common draft era. Noteworthy: Thompson finished his career at Colorado with 13 interceptions, tied for fifth on CU’s all-time list as well as tied for the most over the last 23 seasons. He also concluded his career tied for sixth in pass deflections (34) and 38th in tackles with 246 (172 solo). As a senior, Thompson was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection by the Associated Press as he led the Pac-12 in interceptions with seven, a mark that tied for the most in CU single-season history. He also had 25 total passes defended (18 pass breakups plus his seven interceptions), with his 18 pass breakups the fifth-most in CU single-season history. He played the second-most snaps on defense (854) in finishing third on the team in tackles with 75 (47 solo, three for losses); he was also credited with 15 third down stops, a team-high eight touchdown saves and three quarterback pressures.
	Josh Tupou Cincinnati Bengals - #68 Defensive Tackle Rookie Year: Tupou signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft. Noteworthy: At Colorado, Tupou started all 14 games as a senior, including the Alamo Bowl at nose tackle, garnering honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors from the league coaches. He recorded 49 tackles, 1½ quarterback sacks and had seven tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage when including three stops for zero gains; he also was credited with 10 quarterback pressures and caused one interception. As a junior, Tupou started all 12 games and earned honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors from the league coaches; he was in on 42 tackles (26 solo, with four for losses including three quarterback sacks), 10 stops at or behind the line of scrimmage, three third down stops, five quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.
	Ahkello Witherspoon San Francisco 49ers - #23 Cornerback Rookie Year: Witherspoon was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the second pick of the third round (66th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft. In doing so, he became the 46th defensive back from CU to be drafted in the common draft era. He will join fellow CU teammate Jimmie Gilbert who signed with the team as an undrafted free agent. Noteworthy: At Colorado, Witherspoon finished tied for 13th on CU’s all-time passes broken up list with 28. He earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors from both the Associated Press and the league coaches as a senior, when he led the nation in pass breakups with 23 on the year (including the bowl); the 22 in the regular season tied for the most in CU single-season history. He was credited with at least one pass breakup in 12 games, including seven games with multiple pass breakups. He totaled 24 tackles, 10 third down stops, six touchdown saves and an interception. As a junior, Witherspoon racked up 41 total tackles (36 solo, one a tackle for zero), along with posting seven third down stops, four pass deflections, two touchdown saves and two interceptions.