Colorado Buffaloes OT Will Sherman declares for NFL Draft

The Colorado Buffaloes will return almost the entire roster next season, but they will not have William Sherman. The star offensive tackled has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.

The redshirt junior has started for the Buffs the last three seasons, never once missing a game. Previously a right tackle, Sherman moved over to the blind side for the 2020 season, where he was named second-team All-Pac-12 for his powerful run blocking and consistent pass blocking.

Sherman was a highly touted recruit out of Allen, Texas and it was obvious he was NFL-bound by his first year starting. We feared that his 2020 season would be too good for him to stay in college, and that’s exactly what has happened.

Sherman will most likely move to right tackle or guard in the NFL. His best attribute is his run blocking as a pulling tackle, so it would make sense for him to move to a more run-blocking oriented position. While he’s a solid pass blocker, he’s somewhat small for the blind side at 6’4, 310-lbs.

Interestingly, Sherman is the exact height and weight of the last CU offensive lineman who declared early for the draft, although David Bakhtiari stuck at left tackle. Bakhtiari was a fourth round pick by the Green Bay Packers and may be on path for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As for the Buffs, they should have a quality offensive line next season. They should return three other starters, Colby Pursell, Casey Roddick and Frank Fillip, as well as senior Kary Kutsch and rotation players Kanan Ray and Chance Lytle. If Fillip moves over to left tackle, the Buffs will likely start Jake Wray on the right, with Jake Wiley and Valentin Senn also competing.

Best of luck, Will!