Buffs DB Oliver To Declare For NFL Draft
December 01, 2017 | Football, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — Colorado junior Isaiah Oliver, considered to be one of the top cornerbacks in the nation this year, announced Friday that he will forego his senior season with the Buffs and make himself eligible for the 2018 NFL Draft.
"I've been going back and forth with it over the last few weeks," Oliver said. "A lot went into the decision, but after having talks with my family, my dad and everybody, we felt like it was the best time after the season I had. We weren't necessarily against coming back for another year — I loved playing for Colorado and I wouldn't have minded another year, as well as another year of track — but we felt like where I am physically and mentally as a player, it's time to take the next step. We're really excited about it and looking forward to the next challenge."
Oliver's father, Muhammad Oliver, was a standout cornerback at Oregon and had a five-year NFL career.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Oliver played in 10 games this season after missing two late in the year with a leg injury. He finished with two interceptions, 13 pass breakups, five third-down stops, four touchdown saves and 27 tackles (22 solo). Opposing quarterbacks made it a point to avoid him whenever possible and he was seldom targeted over the last half of the season.
For his career, Oliver finished with 71 tackles, three interceptions and 32 pass break-ups. He also returned punts for Colorado, and had a 68-yard return for a touchdown in 2016 against UCLA.
Oliver said his family members have spent the last several months discussing his draft prospects with NFL front office officials, scouts and agents. While there is no guarantee where he will be drafted, Oliver said the general consensus is that he could be taken in the first two rounds.
"The main thing they've come back with is a lot of it is going to come down to testing," Oliver said. "But most people seem to think I'm a top five corner … it could be anywhere from the first round to the mid- to late second round, all based on combine testing from here on out."
Oliver was also a standout track athlete at Colorado. Last spring, he finished fourth in the Pac-12 decathlon despite practicing only part of the spring. When he was being recruited out of Brophy Prep High School in Goodyear, Ariz., CU head coach Mike MacIntyre promised him that he could continue his track career at Colorado if he so chose.
"It was a huge honor to play for Colorado and Coach MacIntyre," Oliver said. "He had the trust and faith in me coming out of high school to give me a scholarship. He allowed me to run track, which was big for me. Everything he has done for me over these last three football seasons have helped me tremendously as a player and as a person as well. I can't thank him enough for everything he's done, and everything the staff has done. Everything he did helped prepare me for where I am today. He's a great coach and a better person."
Oliver also cited the influence of Lindsey Malone, CU's assistant track coach.
"It was a privilege working with Coach Malone," Oliver said. "She's a tremendous all-around coach, and I've always been a firm believer that track makes me a better football player. I feel like she understood that as well, so I honestly believe a lot of my football success is a credit to her. What she allowed me to do the last few years helped make me the football player I am today."
MacIntyre obviously would have loved to see Oliver return for his senior season — but he also clearly understands the opportunity in front of his latest star defensive back.
"Isaiah is a model student athlete," MacIntyre said. "He did well academically, he did well socially and he did well on the football field and track. He's a phenomenal person and a phenomenal athlete. We're honored to have had him for three years and now he's going on to the next chapter of his life. I'm honored and privileged and proud that I was able to coach him. He will represent the Buffaloes well at the next level — he always has."
In his career at CU, Oliver played with four defensive backs who are now on NFL rosters — Kenneth Crawley (Saints), Chidobe Awuzie (Cowboys), Ahkello Witherspoon (49ers) and Tedric Thompson (Seahawks). Awuzie, Witherspoon and Thompson were all selected in last April's NFL Draft.
"It has a lot to do with Coach Mac," Oliver said. "His defensive back history, his knowledge of the position and the game — look at the guys who have come through here under him. I feel like they all took his coaching really well, did the things he coached them up to do and it translated to the field. Along with that, he knows what to look for as recruits. He knows who is going to be a good defensive back in college football."uc
The 2018 NFL Draft will be conducted April 26-28.
He is the ninth CU player to declare early for the NFL Draft dating back to 1993, when defensive tackle Leonard Renfro was the first to do so, and would be a first round selection by the Philadelphia Eagles. Rashaan Salaam was a first round pick by the Chicago Bears in the '95 draft, and most recently, receiver Paul Richardson was a second round choice by the Seattle Seahawks in 2014. All eight Buffs who came out early did so after their junior years and were drafted.
Late Friday afternoon, Oliver issued a statement announcing his decision. It included:
"Playing in the NFL has been a goal of mine and I believe it's time to pursue this opportunity and provide for my family This was an extremely difficult decision. The coaching staff has done an amazing job developing and mentoring me. If it weren't for the incredible support I have received, this would not be possible. I will take everything that I've learned as a student-athlete at the University of Colorado and will work hard to become the best that I can be.
"Being a part of this team was something special that I will always treasure. I will miss my teammates. I am going to miss representing the University — this is a special place. I am a better person because of my time here and I am forever thankful for the opportunities that were provided to me. Go Buffs!"
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
