BOULDER- Fourteen of the seniors that led the Colorado Buffaloes’ rise showed off for scouts on Wednesday on Pro Day. 44 scouts from all 32 NFL teams were in attendance, as well as former teammates and family members. It was the first time CU hosted all 32 NFL teams since 1995.
Sefo Liufau, Chidobe Awuzie, Ahkello Witherspoon and Tedric Thompson already put their athletic ability on display during the NFL Combine this past weekend. Thus, they didn’t do as many of the workouts and allowed the scouts to focus on the players that didn’t get the invite to the combine.
Samson Kafovalu made the noise early, pumping out 33 reps on the bench press. That would’ve put him tied for 2nd with Myles Garrett among defensive lineman at the combine. He also impressed with a 32.5” vertical, an impressive number for a guy with his stature.
“I woke up and I knew it was going to be a special day when I remembered I bought the strawberries and bananas for my honey bunches,” Kafovalu said afterward.
Josh Tupou and Jimmie Gilbert were two guys that were productive enough to earn an invitation to the combine. That didn’t come, however, so today was their day to show scouts that they are worth spending a draft pick on.
“I was really really motivated whether I was going to the combine or not,” Tupou explained. “Because the pro day was for sure. So I was really motivated to come out to the pro day and show everything I have and leave it all on the table.”
Tupou measured in at 353 pounds, which would’ve made him the heaviest defensive lineman at the combine. That was the best number that Tupou put up, but maybe the most important number for a nose tackle.
Jimmie Gilbert would’ve excelled at the combine because of his pure athleticism. He didn’t get the invite, he accepted it and used it as momentum to push him further. Gilbert had a good day for scouts’ standards, but not a good enough day for him.
“Bench press should’ve been better,” Gilbert said. “Broad jump I wanted two or three more inches than 10 feet. Forty I wanted a low 4.6 or high 4.5, which is what I got but it should’ve been better.”
He recorded 12 reps on the bench press, a 37″ vertical, a 10-foot broad jump and a 4.64-second forty-meter dash. He also weighed in at 234 pounds, which is about 20 more pounds than he played at. Gilbert’s 4.64 would’ve put him 4th among linebackers at the combine. His 37” vertical would’ve put him tied for 2nd among linebackers at the combine.
“Last time I checked my vertical, it was 38 inches and that was my sophomore year of high school–at about 195 pounds,” Gilbert said.
All in all, it appeared like draft stocks were going nowhere but up on Wednesday as these guys try and transition from Saturdays to Sundays. The senior class was special, so maybe they will be able to make it a special Draft Day for Colorado.
For all of the numbers from Wednesday’s Pro Day click here.
