The Colorado Buffaloes have had 25 first-round NFL draft picks in their history, starting with Byron White in 1938. The most recent was Travis Hunter, selected second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025.
Key points
Colorado Buffaloes have had 25 first-round NFL draft picks
First selection was Byron White in 1938
Most recent selection was Travis Hunter in 2025
Travis Hunter was picked second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars
The draft event highlights Colorado's storied history
Mentioned in this story
Byron WhiteTravis HunterJacksonville Jaguars
Colorado Buffaloes
The 2026 NFL draft is finally here, and although it has become an uncommon occurrence over the past decade, the Colorado Buffaloes have had plenty of first-round selections in the program's storied history.
Colorado might not have any players selected over the next three days, but the annual event still represents the perfect time to look back at some of the top draft picks in Colorado history.
In total, Colorado has had 25 first-round picks, dating back to halfback Byron White in 1938. The 25th selection took place just last year when the Jacksonville Jaguars picked Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall.
Here's a look at all 25 first-round selections in CU history from White to Hunter.
HB Byron White (1938)
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron R. White sits by the antique pot-bellied stove on Feb. 8, 1966, in Vanderbilt University law school’s “old court room,� a replica of the typical Tennessee courtroom in the early 1800s.� He is talking with John Wade, dean of Vanderbilt law school.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron R. White sits by the antique pot-bellied stove on Feb. 8, 1966, in Vanderbilt University law school’s “old court room,†a replica of the typical Tennessee courtroom in the early 1800s.†He is talking with John Wade, dean of Vanderbilt law school.
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Before White became a U.S. Supreme Court justice, he was a terrific football player and a two-time NFL rushing yards leader.
LB Jerry Hillebrand (1962)
Nov 15, 1964; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants defensive end Andy Robustelli (81), Erich Barnes (49), Allan Webb (21), Jerry Hillebrand (87), and John Contoulis (77) walk off the field during the mud bowl of 1964 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 1964; St. Louis, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; New York Giants defensive end Andy Robustelli (81), Erich Barnes (49), Allan Webb (21), Jerry Hillebrand (87), and John Contoulis (77) walk off the field during the mud bowl of 1964 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2026; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes mascot Ralphie runs onto Folsom Field before the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Apr 11, 2026; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes mascot Ralphie runs onto Folsom Field before the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Colorado Buffaloes helmet before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Colorado Buffaloes helmet before the game against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Nov 13, 1977; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Diego Chargers running back Bo Matthews (41) carries the ball against the Denver Broncos at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 1977; San Diego, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; San Diego Chargers running back Bo Matthews (41) carries the ball against the Denver Broncos at Jack Murphy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Pick: No. 2
Team: San Diego Chargers
TE J.V. Cain (1974)
Nov 16, 1975; St. Louis, MO, USA: FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals receiver J.V. Cain (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Washington Redskins safety Bryant Salter (30) at Busch Stadium. St. Louis defeated Washington in overtime 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 16, 1975; St. Louis, MO, USA: FILE PHOTO; St. Louis Cardinals receiver J.V. Cain (88) reacts after scoring a touchdown against Washington Redskins safety Bryant Salter (30) at Busch Stadium. St. Louis defeated Washington in overtime 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Herb Weitman-USA TODAY NETWORK
Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of the helmet worn by Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) (not pictured) before the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of the helmet worn by Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) (not pictured) before the game against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Pick: No. 13
Team: New York Giants
OT Mark Koncar (1976)
Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Colorado Buffaloes helmet at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Colorado Buffaloes helmet at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 1988; Denver, CO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos defensive back Mark Haynes (36) intercepts a pass against the Houston Oilers during the 1987 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Mile High Stadium. The Broncos defeated Oliers 34-10. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 1988; Denver, CO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Denver Broncos defensive back Mark Haynes (36) intercepts a pass against the Houston Oilers during the 1987 AFC Divisional Playoff game at Mile High Stadium. The Broncos defeated Oliers 34-10. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Overall Pick: No. 8
Team: New York Giants
OT Stan Brock (1980)
Sep 29, 1991; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints tackle Stan Brock (67) in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 1991; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; New Orleans Saints tackle Stan Brock (67) in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 1991; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons receiver Mike Pritchard (34) in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 1991; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Falcons receiver Mike Pritchard (34) in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Fulton County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 1991; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Alfred Williams (94) and Denver Broncos running back Bob Perryman (22) in action at Mile High Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 1991; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Alfred Williams (94) and Denver Broncos running back Bob Perryman (22) in action at Mile High Stadium. FILE PHOTO; Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; General view outside of Folsom Field before the start of a Colorado Buffaloes spring football game. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; General view outside of Folsom Field before the start of a Colorado Buffaloes spring football game. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Pick: No. 23
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
DT Leonard Renfro (1993)
Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes fan cheer in the first half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes fan cheer in the first half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2000; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Charles Johnson (81) attempts to avoid a tackle by Chicago Bears safety Mike Brown (30) at Veterans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 22, 2000; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Charles Johnson (81) attempts to avoid a tackle by Chicago Bears safety Mike Brown (30) at Veterans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lou Capozzola-USA TODAY NETWORK
Overall Pick: No. 17
Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
WR Michael Westbrook (1995)
Nov 14, 1992; Lawrence, KS, USA; FILE PHOTO; Colorado Buffaloes receiver Michael Westbrook (81) warms-up prior to facing the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 1992; Lawrence, KS, USA; FILE PHOTO; Colorado Buffaloes receiver Michael Westbrook (81) warms-up prior to facing the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 1996; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Rashaan Salaam (31) carries the ball against Green Bay Packers defenders LeRoy Butler (36) and George Koonce (53) at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 6, 1996; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Rashaan Salaam (31) carries the ball against Green Bay Packers defenders LeRoy Butler (36) and George Koonce (53) at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
Sep 21, 1997; Charolette, NC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Carolina Panthers receiver Rae Carruth (83) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ericsson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos - USA TODAY Sports.
Sep 21, 1997; Charolette, NC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Carolina Panthers receiver Rae Carruth (83) carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs at Ericsson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos - USA TODAY Sports.
Dec 30, 2007; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tyler Brayton (91) at McAfee Coliseum. The Chargers defeated the Raiders, 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2007; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers (17) is hit by Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Tyler Brayton (91) at McAfee Coliseum. The Chargers defeated the Raiders, 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
Sept 4, 2010; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes tackle Nate Solder (78) blocks during the game against the Colorado State Rams in the second half at Invesco Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Rams 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sept 4, 2010; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes tackle Nate Solder (78) blocks during the game against the Colorado State Rams in the second half at Invesco Field. The Buffaloes defeated the Rams 24-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Pick: No. 17
Team: New England Patriots
DB Jimmy Smith (2011)
Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) knocks the ball away from Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89) during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) knocks the ball away from Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery (89) during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) stiff arms Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Tommi Hill (6) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) stiff arms Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Tommi Hill (6) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Overall Pick: 2
Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Colorado's most recent first-round selection, Travis Bunter, entered the NFL as a two-way star excelling at both receiver and cornerback. It will be fascinating to see how his career unfolds from here on out.
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