It’s a New Day…
I can’t help but feel like we were shortchanged last season. We got a small taste of what some of our former Buffs could do at the next level, but injuries and a few questionable coaching decisions left us wanting more. Now, with a new season ahead, Colorado fans have plenty of familiar faces to follow and more reasons to believe the Colorado-NFL pipeline is getting stronger.
Here’s a look at the former Buffs on active NFL rosters and their Week 1 matchups:
Wednesday, September 9
Brady Russell (Seattle Seahawks)
Matchup: New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks
Kickoff: 6:20 p.m. MT
Russell opens the season at home with Seattle, where he continues to provide value as a special-teams contributor.
Thursday, September 10
Nate Landman (Los Angeles Rams)
Matchup: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams
Kickoff: 6:35 p.m. MT
Landman gets the national spotlight early as the Rams host San Francisco. Coming off a career-best season, he enters 2026 as one of the key pieces in Los Angeles’ defense.
Sunday, September 13
Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns)
Matchup: Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
Sanders enters Week 1 as Deshaun Watson’s backup, but the quarterback situation in Cleveland will remain one of the most closely watched storylines for Colorado fans.
Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Matchup: Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
Hunter begins his second NFL season with Jacksonville continuing to develop his two-way role. His matchup with Cleveland also puts him on the opposite sideline from his former Colorado quarterback.
B.J. Green II (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Matchup: Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
B.J. ended last year climbing up the Jag’s depth chart and showing real ability to be a starter in the league. Green is another former Buff to watch in Jacksonville, giving Colorado fans three familiar names connected to the same Week 1 matchup.
LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore Ravens)
Matchup: Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
Wester enters Year Two looking to build on his special-teams role and earn additional opportunities within Baltimore’s offense. He had a very impressive pre-season so I am looking for him to improve upon that momentum.
Chidobe Awuzie (Baltimore Ravens)
Matchup: Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
Awuzie just signed a one-year deal for $5 million. The veteran cornerback adds another Colorado connection to Baltimore’s roster as the Ravens begin their season on the road.
Jimmy Horn Jr. (Carolina Panthers)
Matchup: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
After taking the off-season to develop his route running and add some muscle, Horn begins his second season in Carolina with an opportunity to continue developing as a true number two receiver in a strong WR core.
Will Sherman (New Orleans Saints)
Matchup: New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions
Kickoff: 11:00 a.m. MT
Sherman rounds out the active-roster group as New Orleans travels to Detroit for its season opener.
A Matchup Worth Circling:
For Colorado fans, Browns–Jaguars is the obvious Week 1 headliner. Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and B.J. Green II will all be part of the same game, bringing together three former Buffs with very different NFL journeys.
Landman’s Thursday night appearance in Australia offers another opportunity to watch one of Colorado’s most established NFL defenders, while Horn and Wester begin important second seasons as they work toward larger roles.
Game-day inactive lists will determine which players are officially available, but these are the former Buffaloes to keep on your radar as the NFL season kicks off.
