Four players who improved their NFL Draft Stock at Colorado's Pro Day

In front of 21 NFL teams and one CFL team, nine former Buffs showcased their talents in hopes of hearing their name called in next month’s NFL Draft. Taijh Alston, Javon Antonio, Jordan Domineck, Derrick McLendon, Juwan Mitchell, Leonard Payne Jr., Kavosiey Smoke, Rodrick Ward, Noah Young and former Colorado and Princeton QB Blake Stenstrom participated in Colorado’s 32nd annual Pro Day.

Since the day he was hired, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders has reiterated Colorado Football will be built around recruiting and developing NFL talent. Xavier Weaver is widely considered Colorado’s best 2024 NFL Draft prospect but has been sidelined since undergoing shoulder surgery for a torn labrum at the beginning of the year. Weaver couldn’t participate but a handful of his former teammates made themselves some money on Tuesday.

Rodrick Ward, safety

At Southern Utah, Rodrick Ward proved he had the athleticism and playmaking ability to play at a higher level. While he only played one year of FBS football at Colorado in 2023, Ward showed he belonged. After playing in all 12 games last season, Ward had 52 total tackles, one tackle for a loss, two passes defended and one forced fumble.

Ward had the best 40-yard dash (4.47s), the best broad jump (10’6″) and tied for the best vertical jump (35.5″) amongst participants at Colorado’s Pro Day. Measuring in at 5-foot-10 and 183 pounds, Ward also put up an impressive 18 reps on the bench press. If Ward was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, his 18 bench press reps would have placed him fourth among all safeties. His broad jump would have also placed him fourth and his 40-yard dash would have ranked sixth among Combine safeties.

Derrick McLendon, EDGE

After productive seasons at Florida State in 2021 and 2022, Derrick McLendon was one of four former Seminoles to join Coach Prime and the Buffs last offseason. While McLendon only started two games for the Buffs in 2023, he played in all 12 games and helped lay the foundation for what Coach Prime is building in Boulder.

Measuring in at 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds, McLendon’s combination of size and athleticism in position and running drills stood out but his jumps are what turned scouts heads. With a broad jump of 10′ and a vertical jump of 35″, if McLendon had been invited to the NFL, both jumps would have placed him in the top 10 measurements among defensive ends. Because of his performance at Colorado’s Pro Day, McLendon has already begun to receive interest from NFL teams.

Juwan Mitchell, linebacker

2023 was an interesting year for Juwan “Juju” Mitchell. After starting his career at Texas, Mitchell played for Texas in 2021 and 2022. He entered the portal as a graduate transfer ahead of the 2023 season and committed to Arizona State. ASU dismissed Mitchell after an on-field incident allowing him to commit to Coach Prime and Colorado just before the 2023 season kicked off. Mitchell was one of Colorado’s best defensive players in September before off-the-field issues caught up with him and limited his 2023 impact.

Mitchell was on pace to be Colorado’s leading tackler last season and was well on his way to creating serious NFL Draft buzz for himself. At Colorado’s Pro Day, he proved that he possesses the ability to make an NFL roster. His 35.5” vertical jump would have ranked fourth among all linebackers at the NFL Combine. The questions surrounding Mitchell have little to do with his on-field ability, it’s all a matter of if he can get it together off the field. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him signed as an undrafted free agent or receive an NFL camp invite.

Kavosiey Smoke, running back

Kavosiey Smoke was touted as one of the best transfers to commit to Coach Prime and Colorado as the Buffs roster was coming together last winter. Smoke was a proven playmaker in the SEC who averaged over five yards per touch in five years at Kentucky. He only received two carries as a Buff but was a key cog for Colorado’s special teams unit last season.

2023 was a tough pill to swallow for Smoke but he showed professionalism and proved he was willing to be a special teams contributor if he can’t carve out a role in the backfield. At Tuesday’s Pro Day, Smoke ran a 4.57s 40-yard dash and had the best three-cone time out of any participant at Colorado’s Pro Day (7.26s). Add in Smoke’s 2023 experience on special teams and the fact that he only had 305 touches in his college career while averaging over five yards per touch, Smoke should be in an NFL camp this summer.