BJ Green’s decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft represents a significant milestone for both his career and the Colorado Buffaloes football program. As one of Colorado’s defensive anchors, Green’s departure signals the loss of a key playmaker but highlights the program’s increasing prominence under Coach Deion Sanders.

Green transferred to Colorado from Arizona State ahead of the 2024 season and immediately became an impact player. His leadership and on-field production helped propel the Buffaloes to a 9-4 record and a fourth-place finish in the Big 12. Green’s defensive dominance was reflected in his stat line—33 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses consistently made him a cornerstone of Colorado’s defensive unit.

Over his collegiate career, Green demonstrated remarkable durability and performance. In four seasons split between Arizona State and Colorado, he accumulated 93 tackles, 21 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His tenure at Arizona State showcased his early potential, recording 60 tackles (21 for loss), 13.5 sacks, and a forced fumble across 36 games. Notably, Green never missed a game throughout his collegiate career, a testament to his resilience and preparation.

Green’s growth as a player was shaped by the mentorship of Coach Prime, former defensive end coach Vincent Dancy, and NFL legend Warren Sapp. Their guidance helped refine his technique and develop his instincts, making him a formidable force on the field and a coveted NFL prospect. His second-team All-Pac-12 honor in 2023 serves as further validation of his talent and work ethic.

WATCH: Warren Sapp laid out by Colorado Buffaloes player in practice

While Green’s departure leaves a void, it underscores Colorado’s evolution into a program capable of producing NFL-caliber talent. With Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter also eyeing the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buffaloes face a critical transition period. However, Coach Sanders’ reputation for attracting top-tier talent ensures that Colorado’s upward trajectory will continue.

BJ Green’s journey reflects the spirit of Colorado’s football resurgence—a blend of opportunity, grit, and development that positions players for success at the next level. His NFL aspirations are not just personal achievements but markers of the program’s bright future.

A major rockslide prompted two highways to be shut down in Colorado over the weekend and witnesses captured the frightening moment on video.

Highways 96 and 165 from Wetmore to Westcliffe in Colorado’s Custer County were closed for the public Sunday evening after actively falling rocks made the roads unsafe for traffic, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) said in a travel advisory Sunday, adding the “area is unsafe to begin any mitigation.”

As of Thursday, CO-165 has been opened for all traffic, while parts of CO-96 remain “closed for rockslide clean up, according to COtrip.org. No injuries were reported from the incident, CDOT spokesperson Amber Shipley told USA TODAY Thursday.

Video footage of the rockslide shows the rocks tumbling down along with parts of mountain onto the road in a cloud of dust. The video was recorded by Sierra Wright, who told Storyful she made the video after she and friend pulled over on the side of the road.

Watch the terrifying rockslide.

Following the rockslide, CDOT closed parts of two highways while crews assessed the slide and ridgeline “to determine stability and clean-up efforts.” The agency advised travelers to seek alternate routes.

Shipley said the landslide may have been triggered by “significant snowfall” in the area recently.

“Water and snowmelt seeps into the soil and rock (and) combined with the natural freeze/thaw cycle causes increased pressure in existing underground cracks and voids which can weaken the slope – which is what commonly happens on hillsides/mountains along Colorado roadways,” Shipley told USA TODAY over email.

Jay Temple, a geologist with the Colorado Geological Survey, in a recorded briefing according to Colorado Public Radio, said the incident occurred “on a major fault zone.”

CDOT advises drivers to check latest road conditions on COtrip.org or on the COtrip Planner app before making any trips.

This story was updated to add more information.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.