Buffs’ Lindsay ready to make immediate NFL impact
The NFL draft completed Saturday without Colorado Buffaloes tailback Phillip Lindsay among the 256 college football players selected. He called it “frustrating.” Yet, not long after the final pick, something strange happened.
Lindsay, a 5-foot-8 firecracker passed over by all 32 NFL teams despite a record-breaking CU career, was suddenly a hot commodity on the free-agent market. How many pro teams contacted the former Denver South star?
“I want to say maybe 14,” Lindsay said. “It was bizarre because it was coming one at a time and I couldn’t wrap my head around it.”
Those who know Lindsay best weren’t surprised to learn the proud Colorado native signed with the Broncos in a feel-good story almost too good to believe. Lindsay described it as a “dream come true,” but he’s also adamant it was a football decision.
“Honestly, the best fit was Denver,” Lindsay said. “It’s funny how it turned out that way.”
Lindsay is now the fifth member of the Broncos’ running back room as Denver needs a new starter in the aftermath of C.J. Anderson’s release. Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson return to OTAs as front-runners while 2018 draft picks Royce Freeman (third round) and David Williams (seventh) face the same rookie transition as Lindsay. If he can’t crack a spot in the RB rotation at first, Linsday won’t panic, either. The reason he chose the Broncos was an opportunity to showcase versatility — just as he did in Boulder.
Lindsay stands as the Buffaloes’ career leader in all-purpose yardage (5,760). He’s the only running back in CU history with multiple 100-yard receiving games. In total, he set 24 school records.
“I can do every single special team, starting with punt return
and kick return. I can be a gunner and I can tackle,” Lindsay said. “On offense, I can catch. I can run inside, outside and I’m fast. I’m good on goal line, I’m durable and I’m not going to fumble the ball a lot. I’m going to handle myself as a pro.”
Lindsay’s willingness to do it all only increases his chances to land a roster spot. It’s why so many teams were after his services following the draft. Lind- say is thankful his football journey has taken another storybook turn.
“Overall, it’s a surreal moment,” Lindsay said. “I’m doing something I love to do, I get an opportunity to play in the NFL, and I’m going to take advantage of that starting in rookie minicamp. I’m just going cherish every second, because you never know when it’s going to be your last time to play football or live another day.” Broncos free agent deals
•Phillip Lindsay, RB, CU •Jeff Holland, OLB, Auburn •Trey Marshall, S, Florida State
•Jimmy Williams, WR, East Carolina
•Lowell Lotulelei, DT, Utah •Austin Schlottman, OL, TCU •Leon Johnson, OL, Temple Area college free agent deals
•Jeromy Irwin, OL, CU: Saints •Devin Ross, WR, CU: Titans •Afolabi Laguda, S, CU: Rams •Trent Sieg, LS, CSU: Baltimore
•Shay Fields, WR, CU: Redskins
•Detrich Clark, WR, CSU: Falcons
•Zack Golditch, OL, CSU: Chargers
•Dalyn Dawkins, RB, CSU: Titans
•Rico Gafford, DB, Wyoming: Titans
Area college rookie minicamp invitations
•Nick Stevens, QB, CSU: Redskins
•Trae Moxley, OL, CSU: Cardinals
•Evan Colorito, LB, CSU: Saints
•Jake Bennett, C, CSU: Buccaneers
•Nick Callender, OL, CSU: Seahawks
•Drew VanMaanen, FB, Wyoming: Texans •Ryan Cummings, OL, Wyoming: Texans •Frank Stephens, WR, Northern Colorado: 49ers