Two Colorado State football players sign with teams after NFL draft
Two former Colorado State football players quickly signed NFL deals Saturday after the conclusion of the draft.
Dallin Holker and Chigozie Anusiem both had realistic chances to be picked but weren't chosen in the 2024 NFL draft.
Shortly after the draft ended Saturday, both had undrafted free agent deals.
Tight end Holker signed with the New Orleans Saints. Cornerback Anusiem signed with the Washington Commanders.
CSU's lone 2024 NFL draft pick was defensive end Mohamed Kamara, who was picked in the fifth round by Miami.
Here's what to know about Holker and Anusiem.
What Colorado State's Dallin Holker brings to the Saints
Holker and CSU found a perfect match in each other in 2023. Holker had been underutilized at BYU and the Rams needed a playmaking, pass-catching tight end.
After just 59 targets in three seasons at BYU, Holker had 105 targets in his lone season at CSU and made the most of them.
He has good coordination — which was on display when he made a one-handed catch while still holding a ball in the other hand at the NFL combine — with good speed and elusiveness with the ball. He forced 15 missed tackles last fall.
A well-respected teammate, Holker was voted a team captain in his lone season in Fort Collins.
He lacks the strength or technique to be a dominant blocker at the NFL level and projects as a player who best fits working out of the slot.
Holker went from little-used at BYU to a star at CSU. His 64 catches for 767 yards and six touchdowns helped him become a finalist for the Mackey Award, which was won by first-round pick Brock Bowers.
Holker finished the season third in CSU's single-season receptions list by a tight end, with the top mark owned by current Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride.
What Colorado State's Chigozie Anusiem brings to Washington
Anusiem has the ideal size/speed combination for an NFL cornerback.
He's 6-foot-1, 200 pounds with long wingspan and he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Anusiem has experience in both man and zone in college (he played four seasons at Cal before his final two at Colorado State). Anusiem is known as a strong, aggressive tackler and special teams player.
The knock is limited ball skills. Anusiem only had one interception in college. Some of that is chalked up to offenses avoiding him at times, but he struggles to locate the ball in coverage.
His experience and physical tools should allow him a chance to be a rotational cover corner.
Pro Football Focus had him as First-Team All-Mountain West in 2022 and honorable mention in 2023.
In addition to his one interception, he also blocked a field goal in 2023 and was a consistent special teams performer alongside his defensive duties.
Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @Kevin_Lytle.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Colorado State players Dallin Holker, Chigozie Anusiem sign NFL deals
