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Colorado Buffaloes: Seniors Playing to be Drafted

By Gordon Trickel

Sep 10, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; General view of Folsom Field during the second half of the game between the Idaho State Bengals against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffaloes defeated the Bengals 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; General view of Folsom Field during the second half of the game between the Idaho State Bengals against the Colorado Buffaloes. The Buffaloes defeated the Bengals 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 1, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Cyler Miles (10) is tackled for a loss by Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Josh Tupou (55) and defensive lineman Jimmie Gilbert (98) in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Cyler Miles (10) is tackled for a loss by Colorado Buffaloes defensive lineman Josh Tupou (55) and defensive lineman Jimmie Gilbert (98) in the second quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

With the Colorado Buffaloes nose tackle, there is no question about his ability on the field. There is a big question about him off the field. He got into legal trouble and was later dismissed by the team before last season. The NFL is cracking down more and more on players for off-field trouble and many teams are staying away from draft prospects with red marks off the field already. So who knows what will happen with Tupou.

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As said, he has the talent. He is your typical 3-4 nose tackle. Tupou clogs the running lanes and s a huge part of the Colorado Buffaloes run defense. What he does allows his teammates to do what they do. He will never fill out a stat sheet, but he doesn’t need to, to be successful.

What he does, doesn’t just come in the running game though. He adds a lot of interior pressure in the middle and keeps quarterbacks from climbing the pocket. This enables the Colorado Buffaloes pass rushers to do their job with more effectiveness.

Based on talent alone, Tupou is probably a third or fourth round pick at the latest. But, with a year off and the suspension, he may find himself go undrafted. All he needs is one team to take a shot on him and then he has to prove to them that it wasn’t a mistake.

Next: Colorado Buffaloes start season 2-0

There are some other senior defenders who are fighting to be drafted, and one of them will probably be the first Colorado Buffaloes player to be drafted in the 2017 draft, unless there is a drastic change to his play or injury. Stay tuned for part two.

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