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The Colorado Buffaloes' current three-game losing streak has not only affected their position in the Big 12 standings but has also dealt a blow to the professional prospects of several key players. In particular, a handful of upperclassmen who entered the season with hopes of being selected in the 2027 NFL Draft have seen their draft stock decline significantly.
Here are five Buffaloes whose NFL Draft potential has diminished during this recent skid:
1. Wide Receiver Danny Scudero
Scudero has been hampered by an injury throughout the season, and through five weeks, it has likely damaged his draft stock. He rushed back to the field but was clearly not at full strength in the two games he played. After leading the nation in receiving with the San Jose State Spartans a year ago, he has managed just five receptions for 24 yards and no touchdowns. While he is expected to return after Colorado's bye week, if he cannot, his path to the NFL becomes much longer and far less certain.
2. Offensive Lineman Demetrius Hunter
Hunter finds himself in a similar situation to Scudero. Though he entered the season fully healthy, he suffered a leg injury in the first quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Week 1. The injury required surgery, and there is a possibility he could miss the remainder of the year. His eligibility beyond this point remains uncertain, but it is an outcome he would prefer to avoid. After making 25 starts at center for the Houston Cougars from 2022 to 2025, he had established himself as a seasoned talent with NFL potential. However, if he is unable to put any film together in 2026, he would need a healthy and dominant spring to potentially land on draft boards.
3. Defensive Back Makari Vickers
While Vickers missed Colorado's Week 5 game against the then-No. 12 Texas Tech Red Raiders due to injury, his stock has been falling for other reasons. The injury certainly does not help his resume, but his performance in the Buffaloes' secondary was already doing him no favors. As the defensive backs struggled through the first three weeks, Vickers was the unit's biggest liability in zone coverage. He was frequently replaced at nickel by Boo Carter, including against the FCS Weber State Wildcats. He lost his starting role before his injury, and if he cannot regain it by season's end, proving himself to NFL teams will be difficult.
4. Wide Receiver Kam Perry
Perry turned down scholarship offers from several other schools to walk on at Colorado in the offseason, hoping to boost his draft stock. However, despite a mostly healthy season, he has been a complete non-factor. He was considered Colorado's shiftiest receiver by Julian Lewis and other teammates before the season, but he has seen minimal playing time. After nearly reaching 1,000 receiving yards with the Miami University Redhawks in 2025, he may have undone that progress during his time at CU. He has recorded just four catches for 21 yards in two appearances, and as a 5-9, 170-pound receiver, a lack of production is the last thing NFL teams want to see.
5. Running Back Richard Young
As a former blue-chip recruit who began his college career with the Nick Saban-led Alabama Crimson Tide, Young seemed destined for an NFL future. However, he never carved out a consistent role in Tuscaloosa. He transferred to Colorado hoping to make up for lost time in a run-first offense, but an injury setback during the summer put him at a disadvantage entering fall camp. So far, that has been a tough hurdle to overcome, as he has only recorded 16 carries for 49 yards and no touchdowns. Colorado has dealt with injuries in its backfield, yet Young has still fallen behind the pack. If his season continues on this trajectory, he likely will not have much of an NFL future awaiting him after this season.
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Liam Howard is a Colorado Buffaloes On SI beat reporter and a men's basketball beat writer and sportscaster for Sko Buffs Sports. A Longmont, Colorado native, he has built a diverse portfolio across sports media, with experience in broadcast production, graphic design, and documentary storytelling. Known for his detailed coverage of college athletics, Howard is also the founder and host of SBS Football Live, where he provides thoughtful analysis and original reporting.