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BOULDER — Countless NFL scouts, coaches and even a couple of general managers were in Boulder on Friday for the Colorado Buffaloes' pro day. Many were primarily there for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, but a few other draft hopefuls shined at the team's indoor practice facility.
Below are a few notable takeaways from Colorado's star-studded "NFL Showcase:"
Chidozie Nwankwo made his strength known
Defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo set the tone early when he recorded 30 bench press reps, which would've led all defensive tackles at the NFL scouting combine. Although his 5-foot-11 frame may limit his NFL options, Nwankwo remains one of the strongest prospects in this year's draft class.
Fellow defensive tackle Shane Cokes also hit 29 reps, tying the combine's highest total at his position
Will Sheppard showed off his hops
Soon after Nwankwo's impressive bench press, wide receiver Will Sheppard recorded a 40.5-inch vertical, the highest mark of the day. Among wide receivers at the NFL combine, only Iowa State's Jaylin Noel and Miami's Sam Brown Jr. jumped higher at 41.5 inches each.
"That was just something (where) I put my shoes on, went out there and did it," Sheppard said of his leap. "I hit a couple of high-knees and went out there. I've been jumping my whole life."
Shedeur Sanders put his teammates first
Shedeur Sanders, the youngest son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, did not have to throw at Colorado's pro day. After skipping both the combine and the Big 12 pro day, his decision to throw on Friday was aimed at helping Sheppard and fellow wide receivers LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. Those three (and Hunter) benefited from catching passes from a familiar arm in a familiar environment.
"I just felt good coming out here and being on the field with my brothers for the last time," Horn said. "Ain't no telling how it's going to be when I go to the next level, maybe me and Shedeur end up on the same team. As for right now, this is going to be the last time I really catch a ball from him and stuff. It's been a pleasure."
Jimmy Horn Jr., Shilo Sanders made strides
Horn and safety Shilo Sanders both turned heads in the 40-yard dash. After running a 4.46-second 40 at the scouting combine, Horn recorded an unofficial 4.40 on Friday, although some scouts clocked the speedy wide receiver at 4.35.
Shilo, meanwhile, exceeded many outside expectations with an unofficial 4.52 mark in his first run.
Drelon Miller capitalized on an unexpected appearance
In the pass-catching portion of the day, wide receiver Drelon Miller made an unexpected appearance alongside Horn, Sheppard, Wester and Hunter. The true freshman often lined up as a pseudo running back, but he also showed off his chemistry with Shedeur Sanders.
Gorgeous deep ball from Shedeur Sanders to Drelon Miller. #CUBuffs pic.twitter.com/xdPMgg8aAR
— Harrison Simeon (@harrisonjsimeon) April 4, 2025
No shortage of big NFL names
Notable NFL coaches in attendance included Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and coach Sean Payton, Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski and New York Giants coach Brian Daboll. Each of those three teams also had its general manager present in Denver's George Paton, Cleveland's Andrew Berry and New York's Joe Schoen.
Other notable names on hand were Broncos great Champ Bailey, New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry and former Colorado wide receiver Xavier Weaver, who now suits up for the Arizona Cardinals.
More must-reads:
- What to know about the 10 hottest college football QB battles
- Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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NFL legend Tom Brady unleashes on current climate in college sports
NFL legend Tom Brady isn't happy with the current climate in college sports. Fueled by money — specifically, revenue-sharing and name, image and likeness deals — along with the transfer portal's explosion and ongoing conference realignment, Brady says a reality check is needed in collegiate athletics. "But because we’re just talking about money, money, money, money … that’s the only value in college? Is that what we’re saying? To me, the priorities are a bit messed up," Brady said in a conversation with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt on the "Big Noon Conversations" podcast. College sports, in particular football and basketball, are a big business, and Brady recognizes that. At the same time, given NIL and other factors, there isn't a ton of loyalty in the college game, as players switch schools all the time. Plus, as Brady notes, these players are missing out on the college experience that he had while playing quarterback for Big Ten Conference powerhouse Michigan from 1995-1999, because they're competing for two or three schools. "I didn’t go to three different colleges," Brady, who won seven Super Bowls in the NFL, continued. "I didn’t leave college when it seemed like I wasn’t gonna play. I wasn’t at college to do anything other than have a great college experience, to go to school, to have camaraderie with my teammates and to compete at a high level. That’s really where the focus was. And at a young age, that’s where I think the focus needs to be." Brady doesn't blame the players. They're teenagers or in their early 20s when suiting up for college teams. He says that players' parents have to protect them. It's even more complicated these days (and tempting) because of the money being offered to top-ranked prospects, and some of these young men also have agents now. "It’s very intriguing to get that quick dollar," Brady said. "Look, we had a $400 scholarship check, and it seemed like I was rich. It really did. I’m sure most kids felt like that. We got pizza cards to go to dinner, and we had a training table, and it was an amazing experience. We didn’t think about the money." Brady says his time at Michigan prepared him for the pro ranks. He was in college for four years but didn't become the Wolverines' starter until his junior season. While Brady was a good college quarterback, he wasn't elite. He was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft and used that as motivation to prove that he belonged in the pros. What then transpired was Brady evolving into the greatest quarterback in the history of the NFL. He says young players today are too quick to move to a different school if they're not getting enough playing time. "The lessons I learned in college — and certainly about competition — those traits transformed my life as a professional. I was ready to compete against anybody, because the competition in college toughened me up so much that I had a self-belief and self-confidence that whatever I was faced with, I could overcome that," Brady said. Brady isn't saying that money isn't important. But he is saying what many others are thinking. The emphasis on money in college sports is concerning and problematic. "We’re valuing the wrong things," said Brady.
Celtics' ownership move should concern Lakers governor Jeanie Buss
Lakers governor Jeanie Buss is supposed to remain in charge of the team for years even after the sale. Given what just happened with the Boston Celtics, it might only be months. When the Grousbeck family sold the Celtics for $6.1B in March, ESPN reported that Wyc Grousbeck would stay on as the Celtics CEO and governor through the 2027-28 season. Now, new owner Bill Chisholm will take over once the sale is final. That should concern current Lakers team governor Jeanie Buss, whose family sold a majority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers to investor Mark Walter. Buss is supposed to stay on as team governor for "at least a number of years," according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, but new NBA owners haven't been keen on waiting to take control of teams recently. Mark Cuban thought he would continue running the Dallas Mavericks when he sold a controlling interest to the Adelson family in November 2023. Before the end of that season, when Dallas advanced to the NBA Finals, new team governor Patrick Dumont, the son-in-law of Miriam Adelson, was firmly in charge. General manager Nico Harrison reported directly to Dumont, which is how Luka Doncic ended up traded to the Lakers despite Cuban's objections. It might be different with the Lakers. Walter has owned a minority share in the Lakers since 2021, so he's had a working relationship with Buss. Her role as team governor may be a condition of the sale itself. With the team preparing for a long-term future with Doncic, Walter and his fellow owners might opt for continuity in the team governor role. But in general, people do not spend billions of dollars on a professional sports team so that someone else can be in charge. Buss is in charge of the Lakers now. Recent history says she won't be for long.
Insider: Steelers Now Have Desire To Add At Wide Receiver Via Trade Or Free Agency
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an eventful offseason in 2025, and the fan base has finally been able to catch a glimpse of what the team might look like throughout training camp and the team's first preseason game. Pittsburgh will be relying on its defense as usual, but hopefully the passing game looks a little better than it has in years past with Aaron Rodgers under center. Other factors will play a part in that, such as the offensive line and the receivers, and both of those areas are spots where the fan base is not too confident. DK Metcalf is the top wide receiver for Pittsburgh, but behind him, there are some question marks. Calvin Austin III proved he can be a reliable target during the 2024 season, but he is currently dealing with an abdominal injury. Roman Wilson is another player who the coaching staff might not know what to expect, especially after missing basically his entire rookie year in 2024. Other wideouts in the room include Robert Woods, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek. Woods hasn't made much noise throughout training camp, and Skowronek is reliable, but is mainly known for his special teams play. Miller is on the fringe of the roster and seems to be one of Rodgers' favorites, but according to insider Mark Kaboly on the most recent episode of Kaboly + Mack, the organization will likely be looking to add at wide receiver in the near future. "I don't think any time within the next week, but something might be coming down the pike here," Kaboly said. "I'll put it this way, I would not be shocked within the next 10 to 12 days that they add a receiver. I was under the impression that they're just gonna play it out like they were right now. We have Wilson, Austin III, we're going with that. I was pretty much sure of that. I don't know if I'm as sure of that anymore." Wilson played well in his first preseason action against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but with Austin's injury, the team would probably feel better bringing another weapon in. This could be a veteran free agent, or the organization could wait until other teams around the league cut down their rosters and sign a wide receiver that way. One veteran wide receiver that could be on Pittsburgh's watch-list is Odell Beckham Jr. The wide receiver denied retirement rumors on Tuesday, and he seems to be looking to play in 2025. He also mentioned recently that he has spoken to Rodgers. There are some other veterans available on the open market, including both Amari Cooper and Gabe Davis. Pittsburgh has already brought Davis in for a visit, but he left without a deal. Some have speculated that he was not fully recovered from his meniscus injury, which could mean he might be an option further down the road. Steelers Fans Should Keep Their Eyes On Various Receiver Rooms Around The League One team that the Steelers could look to steal a wide receiver from is the New England Patriots. It does not seem like second-year wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk is going to make the final roster, especially since he is playing under a different head coach versus the one that drafted him. It is completely reasonable to think that either Polk, Kendrick Bourne, or Kayshon Boutte could be on the chopping block. If that is the case, Pittsburgh could swoop in and try to pick up whoever is let go. Another team to keep an eye on is the Green Bay Packers, although that wide receiver room is extremely beat up with injuries right now and it is hard to project who will be on the final roster. Do you want Pittsburgh to add at wide receiver?
Perhaps Superman Paul Skenes has found his kryptonite
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes may continue to be one of the top contenders for the National League Cy Young Award, but there is one place where he has appeared mortal this season. On Tuesday night, the Milwaukee Brewers did to Skenes what they have done to plenty of MLB pitchers in 2025 ... put up big offensive numbers. For the second time this season (Skenes also pitched in Milwaukee on June 25), the Brewers forced him from the game after just 4.0 innings on Tuesday night, logging six hits and four runs during his time on the mound. Both of those performances came at Milwaukee's home stadium (American Family Field) and both are now Skenes' shortest outings of the season. While another NL Central team has put up more runs against Skenes this season (the St. Louis Cardinals nicked him for five runs in 6.0 innings on April 8), no other team has had the same kind of success over multiple starts by Skenes in 2025 as have the Brewers inside their home stadium. In all this season, Skenes has given up 10 hits and eight runs in 8.0 innings in Milwaukee. It was his third career outing on the road against the Brewers, with his lone 2024 start representing arguably the best outing of his rookie season. On July 11, 2024, Skenes struck out 11 and didn't allow a hit over 7.0 innings as the Pirates would eventually post a 1-0 victory. Tuesday's short outing was highlighted by a pair of Milwaukee home runs, including a leadoff solo shot by Sal Frelick that quickly set the tone for the Brewers. While Milwaukee's hit parade helped raise Skenes' ERA on the season to 2.13, it's hardly any reason for concern in a season where the 23-year-old right-hander is still a heavy favorite (-600) to win the NL Cy Young Award, per BetMGM. Skenes struggling in Milwaukee is likely more yet another stamp of approval on the Brewers' potential to be a threat once the postseason arrives. With an 18-4 record since the All-Star break entering Tuesday, Milwaukee has taken over the NL Central race from the Chicago Cubs. So what's the good news for Skenes? This is Pittsburgh's last trip to Milwaukee this season and the next-to-last series for the Pirates against the red-hot Brewers. Milwaukee will visit PNC Park for a three-game series on Sept. 5-7, and if Skenes gets a chance for revenge against Milwaukee, there couldn't be a better place for him to take the mound. This season, in 11 starts covering 68.2 innings, Skenes has a 1.70 ERA in the Steel City.
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