Report: Mustafa Johnson could be back with the Buffs

BOULDER — Good news, Buffs fans.

Defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson has received a waiver to play for the Colorado Buffaloes this season, despite declaring for the NFL Draft last season, according to The Boulder Daily Camera’s Brian Howell. While some details need to be sorted out before Johnson will be fully back with the Buffs, everything seems to be progressing on the right track.

Big news for Colorado: DL Mustafa Johnson, who declared for the NFL Draft in January but wasn’t selected, has been granted an NCAA waiver to return to CU, per a source. It’s unclear when Johnson, who was 2nd-team All-Pac-12 in 2020, could be eligible to play. #cubuffs

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) September 1, 2021

According to Howell and DNVR sources within the program, Johnson will have to serve a suspension before he will be allowed to play for CU. The Buffs still don’t know the length of the suspension, but that information could be coming soon.

Although it's unclear when Mustafa Johnson would make his season debut, I've heard from multiple people that Oct. 2 against USC at Folsom Field could be the day. I would not expect him to play before then. #cubuffs

— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) September 1, 2021

Johnson declared for April’s NFL Draft and didn’t back out before the deadline for players to return to school. He wasn’t chosen and wasn’t signed as a college free agent either, despite attending a workout with the New York Jets in May. Since he never signed a professional contract, he maintained his amateur status. Other hurdles exist, though, like paying back any advances that his agent may have given him.

Whenever he is cleared to play, Johnson will be a major addition to the Colorado defense. He’s posted 15 sacks and 29 tackles for loss in his career, and he’ll provide another front-seven threat that opposing offenses will have to account for. With Johnson, Terrance Lang, Nate Landman, Carson Wells and other lining up in the box on a play-in, play-out basis, the sky is the limit for Colorado’s defensive front.

Considering he’s spent the past seven months trying to find his way onto an NFL roster, Johnson should be in decent shape. Work in the gym isn’t the same as getting reps on the practice field, but Johnson should have plenty of time during his suspension to readjust to the game.