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The Colorado Buffaloes hired Deion Sanders before the 2023 season, hoping to bring some life to a program that had been dormant for the better part of the past decade. Overall, the program has received more national attention, including increased NFL talent.
With the 2026 NFL draft beginning Thursday (April 23), here's a look at every player drafted by an NFL team that had Deion Sanders as head coach in their last game before being selected, beginning with Sanders time at Jackson State.
Position: LB
NFL team: Detroit Lions
Pick: Round 6, No. 38 (No. 217 overall)
Houston IV was Deion Sanders' first-ever draft selection as a head coach. Houston began his collegiate career at Florida before transferring to Jackson State ahead of the 2021 season. He was a first-team All-SWAC during his lone season as a Tiger.
Position: CB
NFL team: New England Patriots
Pick: Round 7, No. 27 (No. 245 overall)
Bolden played two seasons for Deion Sanders at Jackson State. He spent two seasons with the Patriots before being released and latching on with the 49ers. He was drafted into the United Football League's Louisville Kings,
Position: CB/WR
NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Round 1, No. 2 (No. 2 overall)
Jacksonville traded up to select the Heisman Trophy winner and two-way sensation. Hunter was elite as both a cornerback and receiver and became the highest-drafted Colorado player ever.
Position: QB
NFL team: Cleveland Browns
Pick: Round 5, No. 6 (No. 144 overall)
Sanders entered the 2025 draft as a projected first-round pick, but slid into the fifth round. He broke several records during his two-year career as a Buff.
Position: WR
NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Round 6, No. 27 (No. 203 overall)
Wester transferred to Colorado after three seasons at FAU and went on to have a fantastic senior season with the Buffaloes. His 10 receiving touchdowns and ability as a punt returner led to his selection by the Ravens.
Position: WR
NFL team: Carolina Panthers
Pick: Round 6, No. 32 (No. 208 overall)
Jimmy Horn was the third Colorado wide receiver drafted in the 2025 draft. His speed and quickness were his best traits coming out of Colorado. In his two seasons with the Buffs, Horn had 95 receptions for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders NFL draft picks at Colorado, Jackson State
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With the 2026 NFL draft beginning Thursday (April 23), here's a look at every player drafted by an NFL team that had Deion Sanders as head coach in their last game before being selected, beginning with Sanders time at Jackson State.
2022: James Houston IV
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Position: LB
NFL team: Detroit Lions
Pick: Round 6, No. 38 (No. 217 overall)
Houston IV was Deion Sanders' first-ever draft selection as a head coach. Houston began his collegiate career at Florida before transferring to Jackson State ahead of the 2021 season. He was a first-team All-SWAC during his lone season as a Tiger.
2023: Isaiah Bolden
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Position: CB
NFL team: New England Patriots
Pick: Round 7, No. 27 (No. 245 overall)
Bolden played two seasons for Deion Sanders at Jackson State. He spent two seasons with the Patriots before being released and latching on with the 49ers. He was drafted into the United Football League's Louisville Kings,
2025: Travis Hunter
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Position: CB/WR
NFL team: Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Round 1, No. 2 (No. 2 overall)
Jacksonville traded up to select the Heisman Trophy winner and two-way sensation. Hunter was elite as both a cornerback and receiver and became the highest-drafted Colorado player ever.
2025: Shedeur Sanders
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Position: QB
NFL team: Cleveland Browns
Pick: Round 5, No. 6 (No. 144 overall)
Sanders entered the 2025 draft as a projected first-round pick, but slid into the fifth round. He broke several records during his two-year career as a Buff.
2025: LaJohntay Wester
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Position: WR
NFL team: Baltimore Ravens
Pick: Round 6, No. 27 (No. 203 overall)
Wester transferred to Colorado after three seasons at FAU and went on to have a fantastic senior season with the Buffaloes. His 10 receiving touchdowns and ability as a punt returner led to his selection by the Ravens.
2025: Jimmy Horn Jr.
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Position: WR
NFL team: Carolina Panthers
Pick: Round 6, No. 32 (No. 208 overall)
Jimmy Horn was the third Colorado wide receiver drafted in the 2025 draft. His speed and quickness were his best traits coming out of Colorado. In his two seasons with the Buffs, Horn had 95 receptions for 1,008 yards and seven touchdowns.
Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Deion Sanders NFL draft picks at Colorado, Jackson State
Continue reading...
