Jimmie Gilbert shines after combine snub

Jimmie Gilbert had something to prove. After leading the Buffs with 10 ½ sacks in 14 games last season, the outside linebacker/defensive end was one of three First Team All-Pac-12 selections (Utah DL Hunter Dimick, Washington OL Jake Eldrenkamp) who didn’t get invited to the NFL scouting combine. So just over 48 hours after watching teammates Chidobe Awuzie, Ahkello Witherspoon and Tedric Thompson turn heads in Indianapolis, the College Station, Texas native put on a show of his own in front of 44 NFL scouts Wednesday in Boulder.

Currently listed as a potential 7^th round selection or free agent pickup selection in next month’s NFL Draft per CBSSports.com, Gilbert checked in at 6’5, 234 lbs, up nearly 20 pounds from his playing weight. Despite adding the much-needed weight to his frame, Gilbert put up some impressive numbers at Colorado’s Pro Timing Day. His 4.64 (unofficial) 40-yard dash was the fastest of the day and equaled the time projected number 1 overall pick DE Myles Garrett ran at the combine. Gilbert also posted an impressive 37-inch vertical leap, which would’ve ranked him 4^th among defensive ends & linebackers in Indianapolis. "Hopefully they (the NFL scouts) liked what they saw," Gilbert told BuffZone.com writer Brian Howell following his Pro Day performance. "The ball is in their court. I did what I could do, did the best to my ability."

Other notes from Colorado’s Pro Timing Day:

- DB Chidobe Awuzie, a projected Day 2 selection had vertical leap of 39 ½ inches, up a full 5 inches from the combine.

- DL Josh Tupou, perhaps Colorado’s top NFL prospect not invited to the combine checked in at 353 lbs and ran a 5.33 40-yard dash.

- DL Samson Kafovalu led all participants with 33 reps on the bench press (225 lbs).

The 2017 NFL Draft takes place April 27-29 from Philadelphia. The Buffs are expected to have 4 or more players drafted for the first time since 2011 (T Nate Solder, 1^st Round, New England; DB Jimmy Smith, 1^st Round, Baltimore; DB Jalil Brown, 4^th Round, Kansas City & WR Scotty McKnight, 7^th Round, New York Jets).