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Isaiah Oliver impresses at NFL Combine

Oliver looks to follow last years great Colorado Buffaloes DB class.

NFL: Combine Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

A year ago, a pair of Colorado Buffaloes defensive backs, Chidobe Awuzie and Ahkello Witherspoon turned heads in Indianapolis at the NFL Scouting Combine. Monday, it was Isaiah Oliver’s turn. Projected by some to be a first-round selection in next month’s NFL Draft, Oliver’s official 40-yard dash time of 4.50 seconds landed him in the middle of the pack compared to other defensive backs in attendance.

Not exactly top-level speed for a NFL cornerback, but Oliver’s performance – along with his six-foot, 201-pound frame - was enough to grab the attention of quite a few watching.

“At 6-foot-0 and 200 pounds with mammoth 33 4/8” arms, Oliver zoomed to a 4.50 in the 40, certainly impressive for a bigger cornerback,” wrote CBSSports.com NFL Draft writer Chris Trapasso, who listed Oliver among his defensive back ‘winners’ Monday.

“He has the size and athletic makeup to be a No. 1 outside corner in the NFL.” Those mammoth arms Trapasso mentioned helped Oliver defend 32 passes (29 breakups, three interceptions) during his three years in Boulder, which according to CUBuffs.com ranks second all-time among Pac-12 defenders. Oliver is looking to become the first Buffaloes defensive back selected in the first round since Jimmy Smith was taken 27th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2011.

Here’s a look at what others we’re saying about Oliver’s combine performance:

Jonah Tuls, NFL Draft analyst for NDTScoutingLLC

Cole Thompson, Long-form writer & analyst for @TheDraftWire

Chris Trapasso, CBSSports.com NFL Draft writer

The 2018 NFL Draft will be held April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the first Draft to take place inside an NFL stadium. Coverage can be seen on ESPN/ESPN2 and Fox/NFL Network.