Colorado
Colorado State football in the NFL draft: All-time picks from CSU
‘Somebody is going to get a steal’ with Tory Horton in NFL draft
A look at Tory Horton at his NFL pro day, why he ran the 40 at the NFL combine and what Jay Norvell thinks of Horton’s NFL future.
Colorado State’s history in the NFL draft dates back to 1943.
The CSU football team has had players selected in the NFL draft from as high as No. 1 overall to as low as the No. 451 pick. More than 100 different former CSU players have been selected in the NFL draft.
Here’s a year-by-year look at selections of Colorado State football players in the NFL draft.
2024 NFL draft
- Defensive end Mohamed Kamara: Selected Round 5, pick No. 158 overall by Miami Dolphins.
2022 NFL draft
- Tight end Trey McBride: Selected Round No. 2, pick No. 55 overall by Arizona Cardinals.
2019 NFL draft
- Receiver Olabisi Johnson: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 247 overall by Minnesota Vikings.
2018 NFL draft
- Receiver Michael Gallup: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 81 overall by Dallas Cowboys.
2016 NFL draft
- Receiver Rashard Higgins: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 172 overall by Cleveland Browns.
- Linebacker Cory James: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 194 overall by Oakland Raiders.
2015 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Ty Sambrailo: Selected round No. 2, pick No. 59 overall by Denver Broncos.
- Quarterback Garrett Grayson: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 75 overall by New Orleans Saints.
2014 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Weston Richburg: Selected round No. 2, pick No. 43 overall by New York Giants.
- Tight end Crockett Gillmore: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 99 overall by Baltimore Ravens.
2010 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Shelley Smith: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 187 overall by Houston Texans.
2009 NFL draft
- Running back Gartrell Johnson: Selected round No. 4, pick No. 134 overall by San Diego Chargers.
2007 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Clint Oldenburg: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 171 overall by New England Patriots.
2006 NFL draft
- Receiver David Anderson: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 251 overall by Houston Texans.
2005 NFL draft
- Tight end Joel Dreessen: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 198 overall by New York Jets.
2004 NFL draft
- Defensive back/returner Dexter Wynn: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 192 overall by Philadelphia Eagles.
- Quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 250 overall by Denver Broncos.
- Linebacker Andre Sommersell: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 255 overall by Oakland Raiders.
2001 NFL draft
- Defensive back John Howell: Selected round No. 4, pick No. 117 overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Linebacker Rick Crowell: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 188 overall by Miami Dolphins.
2000 NFL draft
- Linebacker Clark Haggans: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 137 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Defensive back Erik Olson: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 236 overall by Jacksonville Jaguars.
1999 NFL draft
- Linebacker Joey Porter: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 73 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Offensive lineman Anthony Cesario: Selected round No. 8, pick No. 88 overall by Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Defensive back Jason Craft: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 160 overall by Jacksonville Jaguars.
- Receiver Darran Hall: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 186 overall by Tennessee Titans.
1998 NFL draft
- Quarterback Moses Moreno: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 232 overall by Chicago Bears.
1997 NFL draft
- Defensive back Calvin Branch: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 172 overall by Oakland Raiders.
1996 NFL draft
- Defensive end Brady Smith: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 70 overall by New Orleans Saints.
- Linebacker Sean Moran: Selected round No. 4, pick No. 120 overall by Buffalo Bills.
- Defensive back Greg Myers: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 144 overall by Cincinnati Bengals.
- Defensive back Raymond Jackson: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 156 overall by Buffalo Bills.
1992 NFL draft
- Defensive back Selwyn Jones: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 177 overall by Cleveland Browns.
1987 NFL draft
- Quarterback Kelly Stouffer: Selected round No. 1, pick No. 6 overall by St. Louis Cardinals.
- Running back Steve Bartalo: Selected round No. 6, No. 143 overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Kicker Steve DeLine: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 189 overall by San Francisco 49ers.
1986 NFL draft
- Defensive lineman Terry Unrein: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 66 overall by San Diego Chargers.
1985 NFL draft
- Tight end Keli McGregor: Selected round No. 4, pick No. 110 overall by Denver Broncos.
- Tight end Harper LeBel: Selected round No. 12, pick No. 321 overall by Kansas City Chiefs.
1984 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Kevin Call: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 130 overall by Indianapolis Colts.
- Quarterback Terry Nugent: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 158 overall by Cleveland Browns.
1981 NFL draft
- Running back Alvin Lewis: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 151 overall by Denver Broncos.
- Running back Larry Jones: Selected round No. 10, pick No. 270 overall by Houston Oilers.
1980 NFL draft
- Defensive back Keith Lee: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 129 overall by Buffalo Bills.
- Defensive back Dupree Branch: Selected round No. 8, pick No. 198 overall by St. Louis Cardinals.
1979 NFL draft
- Defensive end Mike Bell: Selected round No. 1, pick No. 2 overall by Kansas City Chiefs.
- Defensive end Mark E. Bell: Selected round No. 4, pick No. 102 overall by Seattle Seahawks.
- Receiver Mark R. Bell: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 130 overall by St. Louis Cardinals.
- Offensive lineman Bill Leer: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 292 overall by Atlanta Falcons.
1978 NFL draft
- Defensive end Al “Bubba” Baker: Selected round No. 2, pick No. 40 overall by Detroit Lions.
- Defensive back Cliff Featherstone: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 180 overall by San Diego Chargers.
- Linebacker Mark R. Nichols: Selected round No. 8, pick No. 207 overall by Oakland Raiders.
- Punter Mike Deutsch: Selected round No. 9, pick No. 240 overall by Minnesota Vikings.
- Running back Ron Harris: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 299 overall by Minnesota Vikings.
1977 NFL draft
- Linebacker Keith King: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 77 overall by San Diego Chargers.
1976 NFL draft
- Linebacker Kevin McLain: Selected round No. 1, pick No. 26 overall by Los Angeles Rams.
- Defensive back Jerome Dove: Selected round No. 8, pick No. 220 overall by Oakland Raiders.
- Defensive back Melvin Washington: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 292 overall by Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Defensive end Gary Paulson: Selected round No. 13, pick No. 372 overall by Minnesota Vikings.
- Quarterback Mark Driscoll: Selected round No. 13, pick No. 374 overall by Dallas Cowboys.
1975 NFL draft
- Defensive end Mark Mullaney: Selected round No. 1, pick No. 25 overall by Minnesota Vikings.
- Offensive lineman Al Simpson: Selected round No. 2, pick No. 27 overall by New York Giants.
- Running back Kim Jones: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 157 overall by Baltimore Colts.
- Receiver Willie Miller: Selected round No. 12, pick No. 302 by Houston Oilers.
- Quarterback Jack Graham: Selected round No. 14, pick No. 361 overall by Miami Dolphins.
- Tight end Pete Clark: Selected round No. 16, pick No. 407 overall by Dallas Cowboys.
1974 NFL draft
- Tight end Jimmie Kennedy: Selected round No. 9, pick No. 233 overall by Washington.
- Defensive back Greg Battle: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 269 overall by San Francisco 49ers.
1973 NFL draft
- Defensive back Perry Smith: Selected round No. 4, pick No. 92 overall by Oakland Raiders.
- Offensive lineman Gerald Caswell: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 282 overall by Dallas Cowboys.
1972 NFL draft
- Running back Lawrence McCutcheon: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 70 overall by Los Angeles Rams.
- Defensive end Jim White: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 73 overall by New England Patriots.
1971 NFL draft
- Defensive back Phil Webb: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 281 overall by Detroit Lions.
1970 NFL draft
- Defensive back Earlie Thomas: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 280 overall by New York Jets.
1969 NFL draft
- Defensive back Bill Kishman: Selected round No. 5, pick No. 114 overall by Washington.
- Receiver Terry Swarn: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 147 overall by San Diego Chargers.
- Defensive back Floyd Kerr: Selected round No. 16, pick No. 414 overall by Dallas Cowboys.
1968 NFL draft
- Receiver Jon Henderson: Selected round No. 3, pick No. 61 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Running back Oscar Reed: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 167 overall by Minnesota Vikings.
- Defensive back Al Lavan: Selected round No. 8, pick No. 204 overall by Philadelphia Eagles.
- Defensive lineman Mike Tomasini: Selected round No. 10, pick No. 248 overall by Atlanta Falcons.
- Running back Jim Oliver: Selected round No. 15, pick No. 391 overall by Detroit Lions.
- Defensive lineman Gene Layton: Selected round No. 17, pick No. 451 overall by Chicago Bears.
1964 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Dick Evers: Selected round No. 15, pick No. 199 overall by Washington (Evers was also selected round No. 22, pick No. 170 overall by Kansas City Chiefs in the 1964 AFL draft).
1961 NFL draft
- Receiver Kay McFarland: Selected round No. 18, pick No. 248 overall by San Francisco 49ers.
- Offensive lineman Leo Reed: Selected round No. 20, pick No. 274 overall by St. Louis Cardinals.
- Note: Halfback Myron Pearson was selected round No. 19, pick No. 152 overall by Houston Oilers in 1961 AFL draft. Offensive lineman Wayne Lee was selected round No. 28, pick No. 217 overall by Denver Broncos in 1961 AFL draft.
1960 NFL draft
- Linebacker Jim Eifrid: Selected round No. 11, pick No. 124 by Washington.
- Defensive back Brady Keys: Selected round No. 14, pick No. 162 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers.
1959 NFL draft
- Offensive lineman Ron Stehouwer: Selected round No. 12, pick No. 136 overall by Detroit Lions.
- Defensive back Fred Glick: Selected round No. 23, pick No. 266 overall by Chicago Cardinals.
1956 NFL draft
- Defensive back Gary Glick: Selected round No. 1, pick No. 1 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Fullback Larry Barnes: Selected round No. 7, pick No. 75 overall by San Francisco 49ers.
- Back Jerry Zaleski: Selected round No. 10, pick No. 112 overall by San Francisco 49ers.
1955 NFL draft
- Back Jerry Callahan: Selected round No. 23, pick No. 272 overall by New York Giants.
1954 NFL draft
- End Kirk Hinderlider: Selected round No. 15, pick No. 181 overall by Detroit Lions.
- Back Alex Burl: Selected round No. 30, pick No. 350 overall by Chicago Cardinals.
1953 NFL draft
- Tackle Harvey Achziger: Selected round No. 26, pick No. 308 overall by Philadelphia Eagles.
1952 NFL draft
- Defensive back Jim David: Selected round No. 22, pick No. 261 overall by Detroit Lions.
1952 NFL draft
- Guard Dale Dodrill: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 67 overall by Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Defensive back Jack Christiansen: Selected round No. 6, pick No. 69 overall by Detroit Lions.
1950 NFL draft
- Defensive tackle Thurman “Fum” McGraw: Selected round No. 2, pick No. 27 overall by Detroit Lions.
1949 NFL draft
- Back Bob Hainlen: Selected round No. 19, pick No. 188 overall by Washington.
1944 NFL draft
- Back Roy Clay: Selected round No. 8, pick No. 70 overall by New York Giants.
1943 NFL draft
- Back Chet Maeda: Selected round No. 18, pick No. 161 by the Detroit Lions.
- Back Lou “Dude” Dent: Selected round No. 24, pick No. 223 by the Brooklyn Dodgers.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
Former Colorado Buffaloes stars Sebastian Rancik and Bangot Dak announced their transfer portal decisions on Sunday with Rancik committing to Florida State and Dak committing to Vanderbilt, per On3’s Joe Tipton. They join former Buffs guard Isaiah Johnson (now at Texas) as the third former Colorado player to leave the Big 12 conference as Rancik opts for the ACC and Dak heads to the SEC.
The trio of Johnson, Rancik, and Dak make up three of Colorado’s four most productive players with rising senior guard Barrington Hargress, and the Buffs are now tasked with replacing such production with Hargress as the only returner.
Rancik’s season ended prematurely with an injury, but he averaged 12.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for the Buffs. Dak was Colorado’s leading rebounder with 6.5 boards per game, scoring 11.5 points per contest as well.
While each player has his respective reasons for transferring, the most expected ones are for seeking better NIL deals or more development on a better team in a better league. The Buffs finished 12th in the Big 12, and the allure of the SEC was too strong for the program to hold onto key talent like Johnson and Dak.
Still, Colorado coach Tad Boyle proved his ability to recruit and build up a solid core, one that saw its headliners of Johnson, Dak, and Rancik all depart in the portal. Can he do it again?
Colorado Buffaloes Roster Outlook
Boyle and the Buffaloes did retain Hargress as well as three freshmen guards: Jalin Holland, Ian Inman, and Josiah Sanders.
As a freshman, Holland averaged 4.9 points and 2.7 rebounds per game as one of Colorado’s key pieces coming off of the bench. Meanwhile, Sanders appeared in 33 games as a constant presence in the Buffs backcourt, averaging 4.4 points and 1.7 assists per game.
Inman played the fewest minutes of the returning trio, but he flashed with a couple of double-digit scoring performances as a true freshman.
“When I think of those three together, I think of toughness. I think of the improvement they made over the course of the season and the togetherness they have. They’re great friends and have formed a bond during their freshman year. Their toughness, energy and work ethic, when you have those attributes to go along with talent, which they all have, you get a chance to have three really good sophomores next year that will take the next step,” Boyle said in a release announcing the return of the three freshmen.
With eight outgoing transfers to replace, the Buffaloes will certainly have a new look to them for the 2026-27 season.
Colorado has landed one transfer portal prospect so far in former North Dakota State foward Noah Feddersen. On the recruiting trail, Boyle and company are bringing in four-star forward Rider Portela as well as two prospects from the NBL in Australia: forward Goc Malual and guard Alex Dickeson.
The transfer portal for men’s college basketball closes on Tuesday, April 21, meaning players have to enter their names by then. Transfer athletes do not have to commit before the portal closes, though, so Colorado is expected to continue hosting prospects on visits while building out the roster.
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Colorado
Colorado faces LA in first round as Kings captain Anze Kopitar embarks on final Stanley Cup chase
DENVER — Anze Kopitar wrapped up the last regular season of his storied career. The Los Angeles Kings captain wants to prolong his final playoff run for as long as possible.
Kopitar, who announced in September his plans to retire, instantly becomes a postseason rallying point for the Kings. They have a tall task ahead of them against the Colorado Avalanche, the top team in the league, with the top goal scorer in Nathan MacKinnon and one of the best defensemen in the game in Cale Makar. Game 1 is Sunday at Ball Arena, where the Avalanche are 26-9-6.
“Playoffs,” said the 38-year-old Kopitar, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Kings. “I’m not going to say anything can happen, but we’ll go in and we’ll play hard and we’ll see where that takes us.”
This will be the third postseason series between the two teams and the first in 24 years. Colorado won in seven games during both the 2002 conference quarterfinals and the 2001 conference semifinals.
It’s been a record season for the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche as they amassed the most points (121) in franchise history. That broke the mark set by the 2022 team, which went on to win the Stanley Cup title. MacKinnon had a career-best 53 goals.
Goaltenders Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood shared the net this season and surrendered a league low in goals. They earned the William M. Jennings Trophy, which is presented to the goalies who have played a minimum of 25 games — Wedgewood suited up in 45 and Blackwood 39 — for the team with the fewest goals allowed. The other goaltender to win that honor for Colorado was Hall of Famer Patrick Roy (2001-02).
“We’re in a good spot,” Colorado forward Brock Nelson said. “The mentality of this group throughout the year, right from the start of training camp, (was) set on a mission to be the best team.”
Colorado Avalanche’s Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates the goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Connor Ingram (39) during shoot-out NHL action, in Edmonton on Monday, April 13, 2026. Credit: AP/JASON FRANSON
Record against each other
The Kings went 0-3 against Colorado this season and were outscored by a 13-5 margin.
“You hear the hype. They have good players,” Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke said. “We’re a scrappy team. We keep it close with everybody. That can really frustrate them.”
Leading after two
The Avalanche were 41-0-0 when leading after two periods. They’re the first squad to have a lead after two periods on 40 or more instances and capture each one, according to team research.
“Even though we’ve been smart, we’ve been committed, we’ve been relentless at times, it’s going to have to go to a whole new level now,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “I have faith in our guys.”
Los Angeles Kings’ Anze Kopitar, who is retiring after this season, acknowledges the crowd after being recognized after losing to the Vancouver Canucks during overtime NHL hockey action in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Credit: AP/DARRYL DYCK
Remember the season opener?
Six grueling months ago, the Avalanche and Kings opened the season against each other. The Avalanche won 4-1 in Los Angeles behind a pair of goals from Martin Necas, who would go on to register his first 100-point season (38 goals, 62 assists).
The two teams join an exclusive club by becoming the fifth pair since 2015-16 to open the regular season and the playoffs against each other, according to NHL Stats. The other pairs to do so were Montreal and Toronto (2020-21); Colorado and St. Louis (2020-21); St. Louis and Winnipeg (2018-19); and Los Angeles and San Jose (2015-16).
Of those teams that won the season opener only San Jose went on to win the series. It’s a trend Kopitar and the Kings wouldn’t mind joining.
Kopitar and the playoffs
Kopitar helped the Kings to the Stanley Cup title in 2011-12 and 2013-14 along with goaltender Jonathan Quick, who now is with the New York Rangers and recently said he’s retiring. Kopitar has played in 103 postseason games with 27 goals and 62 assists.
“The intensity ramps up, everything ramps up,” Kopitar said of the postseason. “Every mistake, every little play, magnifies now.”
Familiar faces
Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper was in net for the Avalanche when they won the Stanley Cup in 2022. In addition, Kuemper and Drew Doughty were teammates with MacKinnon, Makar and Devon Toews when Canada won silver at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
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