Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter shine at CU NFL Showcase in front of NFL scouts
Apr 4, 2025, 3:58 PM
The Colorado Buffaloes had their NFL Showcase in Boulder on Friday to display the talents of all their players heading to the professional ranks of football. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, who are both projected to be top-five picks in this month’s NFL Draft, put on a show for all the NFL scouts in attendance.
Neither Sanders nor Hunter competed in any of the ‘traditional’ drills such as the 40-yard dash and the 3-cone drill, as the dynamic duo saved their legs for the throwing period. The two worked up and down the field together, connecting for the final time in Boulder.
Travis Hunter working on short-yardage routes in the end zone #CUBuffs pic.twitter.com/iDYvNTXhZw
— Trent Finnegan (@trent_finnegan2) April 4, 2025
Hunter didn’t drop a single ball that came his way from Sanders as he worked on a variety of short and intermediate routes. The only true deep ball Hunter was on the receiving end of came in warm-ups when the two weren’t going full speed.
The majority Sanders’ passes were on time and on target to his fellow wide receivers. Will Sheppard, Jimmy Horn Jr., Drelon Miller and LaJohntay Wester were also catching passes from Sanders. He finished the day completing 58 of the 63 passes he threw, with three of the incompletions being drops.
Shedeur Sanders with a perfect deep ball to WR Will Sheppard pic.twitter.com/irNBhGPI0t
— Trent Finnegan (@trent_finnegan2) April 4, 2025
When the drills were all said and done, Hunter did not speak to the media, but Sanders and Coach Prime both shared their thoughts on the day and the draft process for the two stars.
“I think we have the most qualified guys in the draft, they’re not a risk,” Coach Prime said. “Shedeur’s been doing it year after year after year … Ain’t nobody like Travis … The surest bets in this draft are those two young men. And I didn’t stutter.”
As of Friday, Travis Hunter ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect (No. 1 CB) on ESPN’s Draft Board, while Sanders slotted in at No. 14 (No. 2 QB). The latest mock draft has Sanders going third overall to the New York Giants and Hunter going fourth to the New England Patriots. Sanders made himself very familiar with New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, after the two had a long conversation after Sanders’ workout was complete.
Giants head coach Brian Daboll talking with CU QB Shedeur Sanders. Next QB in the Big Apple?? pic.twitter.com/leYmSOytxj
— Trent Finnegan (@trent_finnegan2) April 4, 2025
Sanders disagrees with the boards that have him ranked as the No. 2 quarterback behind Miami’s Cam Ward.
“I feel like I’m the No. 1 quarterback, and that’s what I know,” Sanders said after his workout Friday. “But at the end of the day, I’m not stuck on that because it’s about the situation. So, whatever situation, whatever franchise believes in me and gives me the opportunity [to compete], I’m excited to go.”
Sanders and Hunter both had dominant seasons for the Buffaloes in 2024, as Hunter won the Heisman Trophy while Sanders won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Sanders set the school record for both passing yards (4,134) and passing touchdowns (37) in a single season.
The Denver Broncos were one of the teams in attendance at the CU Showcase, with head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton present. After the drills were over, the long-time head coach made sure to catch up with a few of the Colorado athletes, including Sanders.
Broncos HC Sean Payton catching up with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders pic.twitter.com/wNtF0vohSH
— Trent Finnegan (@trent_finnegan2) April 4, 2025
Payton also talked with edge rusher BJ Green II and wide receiver Will Sheppard, both of whom could be late-round or free agent targets for Denver in the offseason. While the Broncos aren’t in the market for the two big stars, there are a handful of guys who could contribute to the Broncos as a depth piece.
With ESPN and NFL Network in town, this was much more than a typical Pro Day. Coach Prime put on a show for the Colorado Buffaloes and gave his players a spotlight to shine one last time at the collegiate level before they head to the pro ranks.
