Matt Russell was drafted by the Detroit Lions, but then suffered a career-ending knee injury. (CBS 4)

Before Matt Russell was evaluating upcoming talent for the Denver Broncos, he was a hard-hitting Butkus Award winning linebacker at the University of Colorado.

Currently the Broncos’ Director of Player Personnel, Russell was named to the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame as announced on Thursday. During his time at CU-Boulder, he amassed 446 total tackles which is good enough for second place all-time in school history. He was a four-year starter at the school (1993-1996), and he will be officially inducted on Nov. 15.

Russell made news last year when he attended CU’s Pro Day and took on big Nate Solder (currently the Patriots’ starting left offensive tackle). Here’s the video for a few Friday morning chuckles.

On a serious note, we want to congratulate Russell on this honor. It’s well deserved.

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Nate Solder blocks against the Washington Redskins. (Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE)

The New England Patriots are studs in terms of building through the draft.

Former CU Buffs offensive tackle Nate Solder was drafted by the Pats 17th overall last year. The team’s longtime starting left offensive tackle, Matt Light, appears ready to retire which pushes Solder right into the starting role.

“Well I feel like that is the reason I was brought here, to eventually be the starter, and that’s great. I’m excited about that,” Solder said. “My sole drive was not to be a disappointment” – he let out a self-conscious chuckle – “so I hope I wasn’t a disappointment. But it continues on, you know, I have to get better next year too. – Nate Solder to the Boston The Boston Globe 

The 6’8″ 318-pound Solder played in all 19 games for the Patriots last season starting 14 of them at right tackle and starting 2 of them at left tackle. He’s been an impact player since arriving and now he will get a shot at protecting Tom Brady’s blindside.

This is one of the hardest working young players in the game. Since the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss in February, Solder has taken just one week of vacation. Other than that, he’s been working out at Gillette.

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Nate Solder helps his teammate celebrate a TD score. (Elsa/Getty Images)

We’re all on the Broncos bandwagon, but there’s one guy in particular that a lot of Colorado residents and CU alumni will be cheering for on the opposite side this week.

Nate Solder was born and raised in Colorado and played for the Colorado Buffalos before the New England Patriots drafted him in the first round (17th pick overall) of the 2011 draft.

Now the big guy (6’8″, 319 lbs.) is the starting right tackle for one of the best offenses in the NFL.

“He was a guy that we obviously looked at very closely in the draft process,” John Fox said. “Very athletic, very big. They send him out on routes. He’s capable of that kind of thing.”

Solder has played in all 13 games for the Patriots this season, and he’s started in 10 of them (8 at right tackle and 2 at power tight end). He was backing up Sebastian Vollmer, but Vollmer went down with an injury.

“He’s played very well for a rookie,” Fox said.

The Patriots have given up just 22 sacks all season thanks in large part to their line.

Solder grew up in Buena Visa, CO and rooted the Broncos on growing up.

“It’s just about the game for me,” he said, later adding that he might have been a Broncos fan growing up but there is no doubt he’s a Patriots fan this week.  - ESPN Boston 

As Solder makes his return to the field, he will hear the extra cheers from friends and family, all of whom have asked Solder for tickets.

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