BJ Green II was already an all-conference player before he jumped in the transfer portal a year ago.

He came to Colorado, however, to refine his craft. After one year with the Buffaloes, Green is now doing his best to make an impression on NFL scouts and hear his name called during the draft April 24-26.

“A lot of guys end their college career and that’s it,” he said after participating in CU’s pro day last Friday in front of 70 NFL scouts. “So being able to have this opportunity (at pro day) is a blessing. I attacked it from the start of January all the way to here. I’m pretty proud of what I put out today.”

During the Buffs’ pro day, Green, a 6-foot, 250-pound defensive end, looked sharp in defensive line drills and ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, improving his time of 4.7 from last month’s Big 12 pro day. He also improved his vertical leap from 30 inches to 31.5.

“You leave everything you have on the field, there’s no more regrets,” he said.

That’s how Green played during his college career, which began at Arizona State. In three seasons with the Sun Devils (2021-23), he played in 36 games. In 2023, had 11.5 tackles for loss and six sacks was named second-team All-Pac-12.

At CU this past season, he was first-team All-Big 12 and was named the Big 12’s defensive newcomer of the year. He posted 33 tackles, 12 TFLs, 7.5 sacks and 13 quarterback hits.

“Polish and refinement — being able to refine my game,” he said when asked how he got better at CU. “I’ve been who I am, but being able to come somewhere that’s uncomfortable, being able to be pushed farther than where you thought you could go. Being able to learn a guy like (CU defensive line assistant coach) Warren Sapp, being able to learn those little things how to conduct yourself in this process, how to conduct yourself as a rookie, how to answer questions when people ask you stuff.

“Being able to come to a place like this that prepares you to go to the next level, because that’s what they want to see. That’s what they’ve done. Being able to walk in the path of people that walked before you, those are the big things.”

Green said CU’s coaches and staff pushed him “further than where I thought I could go,” and he’s grateful for his time in Boulder.

“Those are the things that really showed me this may not be comfortable, and it’s not going to be an easy year, but it’s going to be what I need to make this jump,” he said.

The jump won’t be an easy one. Although Green’s production and motor suggest he can play at the NFL, he’s not viewed as a top prospect.

In fact, he’s projected by many as an undrafted free agent, or a late round pick if he’s selected.

Green is somewhat similar to another former Buff, Mustafa Johnson, who was highly productive in his four seasons (2018-21) at CU, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors twice.

Johnson, however, didn’t fit the NFL mold at just 6-feet tall and was never drafted.

Last year, he was a CFL All-Star with the Montreal Alouettes.

Green has been underrated before, though. Lightly recruited out of high school, he went to ASU as a walk-on before earning a scholarship.

Being overlooked fueled him years ago, and he said it feels the same now.

“Being an underrated guy, having people thinking that they’ve overlooked me and some people don’t even know who I am, it’s a familiar burn,” he said with a smile. “And it feels good, being able to have that burn on you again. It makes you feel alive. Shows you that, despite doing good this year, it’s nowhere near where I’m going to be.

“I can only improve as I’ve improved in college, throughout every single year that I’ve been in college. I’m excited to attack this well.”