Shortly after the 2025 season came to a close in November, Arden Walker went to work.
The now-former Colorado Buffaloes defensive end and many of his teammates have spent the past few months training for their opportunity to work out for pro scouts.
On Tuesday, they got that chance, at CU’s annual pro day.
“I felt like I did pretty good,” said Walker, who starred at Cherry Creek High School before a five-year college career at Missouri and CU. “I put on a show today and made sure I gave my best effort.”
Scouts from 26 out of the 32 NFL teams, as well as for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats, were on hand to watch the prospects. The group included 19 graduating players from CU, as well as a handful of players from other schools. That group included former CU receiver La’Vontae Shenault, who played 2019-21 for the Buffs and finished his career this past season at Northeastern State.
After having four players drafted last year, CU doesn’t have any top prospects this year, but several of the Buffs could still get an opportunity with an NFL squad.
Walker, offensive lineman Xavier Hill, receiver Sincere Brown, defensive end Keaten Wade and defensive lineman Amari McNeill are arguably CU’s top prospects.
“I was hoping just to prove that I’m able to be a football player and play on Sundays, simple as that,” Walker said. “They expected me to test well and I feel like I did, so now it’s more about interviewing and (showing) my personality.”
Walker began his career with two seasons at Missouri before transferring to CU and playing three seasons with the Buffs. He posted 91 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and eight sacks in 36 games at CU. He had 22 reps on the 225-pound bench press, a 31-inch vertical leap and 4.76-second 40-yard dash Tuesday.
Colorado offensive lineman Xavier Hill runs the 40-yard dash in front of NFL scouts during the Buffs' annual pro day in Boulder, Colorado, on March 31, 2026. (CU Athletics)
Hill, who spent just one season at CU, might have had the most impressive day. Officially weighing in at 313 pounds, Hill posted a 30-inch vertical leap, a 4.99-second 40-yard dash and 26 reps on the bench.
“I was trying to prove any doubts about my athleticism, or just anything along those capabilities, whether it’s my body composition or just willingness to work,” he said.
During his career, which included three years at LSU and two at Memphis, Hill displayed his versatility by playing guard and tackle, and he can also play center, he said.
“Whatever the (NFL) team needs is whatever the team gets,” he said of where he would play at the next level.
At 6-foot-5, Brown could be an intriguing prospect at receiver, especially after posting times of 4.38 and 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash on Tuesday.
“That’s a dream, something you dream about since you’ve been a kid,” he said of potentially getting the call on draft day.
Brown had a breakout season at Campbell in 2024 (61 catches for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns). He didn’t have nearly as big of a season at CU this past season, with 22 catches for 376 yards and two touchdowns, but he was a deep threat for a struggling offense.
On Tuesday, he did his best to improve his draft stock. In addition to his 40 times, he had a 33.5-inch vertical leap and looked good running routes.
“Everybody’s got a one-time pro day, so I just wanted to be able to enjoy this at the end of the day,” he said. “I didn’t get a lot of short balls during the season. I really wanted to show the scouts that I’m 6-5 and I can come out my breaks like a 5-8 receiver. That’s what I wanted to show today, first and foremost.”
Colorado receiver Sincere Brown catches a pass during the Buffs' annual pro day in Boulder, Colorado, on March 31, 2026. Scouts from 26 of the 32 NFL teams were on hand for pro day. (CU Athletics)
Wade felt like he had “a solid day,” after putting together two good seasons at CU. The former Kentucky Wildcat played in 18 games during his two seasons with CU, posting 66 tackles, 16.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks.
On Tuesday, Wade had a 33.5-inch vertical leap, 4.64-second 40 and 15 reps on the bench.
“There’s always definitely some nerves heading to the next level and having scouts look at you, critique you,” he said, “but I just felt like I came in here with confidence and knew I could do my best and knew my best was gonna get it done.”
While several of the Buffs who worked out Tuesday could be longshots to get an NFL opportunity, Tuesday provided them with a stage to try to impress the scouts.
“Football is always the main thing. You gotta live out that childhood dream first,” said linebacker Jeremiah Brown, who finished second at CU in tackles last season, with 73. “I don’t wanna look down 20 years down the line and be like, ‘Dang, man, I wish I would have given it my all. Nah, that won’t be me. I’m giving my all to football and everything else will come afterwards.”
Others who worked out for scouts Tuesday included quarterback Kaidon Salter, offensive lineman Zy Crisler, defensive back Preston Hodge, defensive tackle Amari McNeill and kicker Alejandro Mata.
Hodge posted a 4.56 in the 40, along with a 32-inch vertical and 10-foot broad jump. Defensive lineman Anquin Barnes led the group in reps on the bench (27), while McNeill added 24.
Salter had a 4.63 in the 40, as well as the best vertical (35.5), broad jump (10-6) and shuttle drill (4.26 seconds) of the group. He also looked sharp throwing the ball.