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Projecting CU’s Starting Lineup: Defense
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Fall Camp opens this week, with the Buffs heading to Colorado Springs for some bonding and the first week of Camp. Over the the course of the 15 practices, leading up to the 2026 season opener against Georgia Tech (Thursday, September 3rd, 6:00 p.m., MT, ESPN), there could be a number of changes in the projected lineup for your Buffs.
That being said, we can make some educated guesses as to what the starting lineup might be, and which position battles are still up for grabs.
So, let’s take a look at the depth chart of each position, then take a guess at which players may be the first to trot out onto Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta for the opener. Below is a preview of CU’s defense …
… Previously posted … “Projecting CU’s Starting Lineup: Offense” …
… Returning starters in bold …
DEFENSE
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Depth Chart: Defensive Line
Seniors: Santana Hopper, Ezra Christensen, Quency Wiggins
Juniors: Malachi Brown, Sedrick Smith, Samu Taumanupepe, Dylan Manuel, Tyler Moore
Sophomores: None
Red-shirt freshmen: None
True freshmen: Josiah Manu
Projected Starters … Santana Hopper, Ezra Christensen
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All nine defensive linemen from last year’s roster are gone (Okay … Quency Wiggins, who is listed above, was a Buff last fall, but he played as a defensive end last fall).
Also gone are defensive line coaches Domata Peko and Warren Sapp.
While it’s been an overhaul, the newcomers know exactly what they’re here to do.
“Stop the run,” junior Dylan Manuel said. “That’s the main goal, just stopping the run and then just earning the right to rush the passer.”
This fall, the line between the Buffs being horrible along the defensive line (like last year, giving up 222.5 yards rushing per game, 133rd out of 134 teams), and upping their numbers to average may be dependent upon the fate of a Boulder judge.
Ezra Christensen transferred to CU this spring and the 2026 season would be his sixth year of college football if he can play.
Coming out of high school Christensen went the junior college route, playing at San Diego Mesa College in 2021 and 2022. He played 11 games for the Olympians in 2021 and 10 in 2022. He then transferred to Fresno State, where he played 10 games in 2023 and five in 2024 (four in the regular season, which allowed him to use a redshirt year). Last year, he played 11 games at New Mexico State.
In December of 2024, the NCAA granted a waiver to former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia and other ex-JUCO players, allowing them to have one extra year of eligibility, during the 2025-26 academic year. That ruling was for last year only, but Christensen and others in similar situations are fighting for an extra year this year.
A preliminary hearing in Christensen’s case is set for August 7th. If granted a temporary order, Christensen should be able to play for the Buffs this fall.
With or without Christensen, CU will be relying upon Santana Hopper to have a monster season. Hopper was first-team All-AAC at Tulane last year and first-team All-Sun Belt at Appalachian State in 2024.
“Oh, this is what I’ve been dreaming for right here,” Hopper said of his opportunity to play at the Power Four level. “That’s one thing I haven’t got to do on a consistent basis, was like play bigger schools. I know that’s what the scouts want to see from me, and this is where I’m gonna be able to prove it.”
After Christensen and Hopper, it’s a plug-and-play … and hope. New defensive line coach Dante Carter was a graduate assistant for CU last fall, so his inexperience is a concern for the Buff Nation. Inexperienced or not, Carter is being expected to get great production out of a group which is so thin that the Buffs recently added a depth piece in Malachi Brown … who spent last season at Monterrey Peninsula College.
“We have some good size there,” defensive coordinator Chris Marve said of his line. “We have a lot of guys who have experience in games. The thing about that position and all of our positions, everybody’s been getting very used to or accustomed to what we’re asking them to do in our scheme. … We’ve still got room to grow in every position, but those guys have taken the strides they need to.”
Buff fans, who watched Georgia Tech gouge the Buffs for 320 yards on the ground in last season’s opener, will have their fingers crossed …
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Depth Chart: Edge Rushers
Seniors: Balansama Kamara, Toby Anene, Sam Gadie, Vili Taufatofua, Kylan Salter
Juniors: Immanuel Ezeogu, Lamont Lester Jr., Domata Peko Jr., Yamil Talib
Sophomores: None
Freshmen: None
Projected Starters … Toby Anene, Balansama Kamara
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Would you like the good news or the bad news?
The good news … CU has brought in some sack specialists to play the edge this fall.
- Lamont Lester, Jr. had 11.5 tackles for loss last season; 9.5 sacks;
- Balansama Kamara had 13.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks;
- Toby Anene had 8.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks;
- Sam Gadie had 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks;
- Vili Taufatofua had 7.0 tackles for loss and three sacks; and
- Domata Peko, Jr. had 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
The bad news?
- Lamont Lester, Jr. last season played for … Monmouth;
- Balansama Kamara last season played for … Albany;
- Toby Anene last season played for … North Dakota State;
- Sam Gadie last season played for … Monroe University;
- Vili Taufatofua last season played for … San Jose State; and
- Domata Peko, Jr. last season played for … Ventura College.
Together, that group of six had 34.5 sacks last year. The thing is – only Kylan Salter, who saw time as a reserve linebacker for CU last season – has taken any snaps with a Power Four program.
Welcome to CU’s “production over recruiting stars” approach to its edge rushers.
“Yeah, I think we have some good players up front,” defensive coordinator Chris Marve said. “We also have a package to where we’re going to find ways to identify weaknesses and try to highlight one-on-one situations and matchups like everybody does. … We still have some work to do, naturally, right? If we could sack the quarterback every time they stood up there and threw the ball, I’d like to. So, we’re trying to get to that point.”
The senior group of Anene, Kamara and Taufatofua stood out in spring practices, but defensive run game coordinator and defensive ends coach George Helow believes the Buffs have good depth, too.
“I’m really pleased with the things that I’m seeing right now,” Helow said. “I think our whole recruiting office did a really good job in the recruiting season of getting guys in here that are good character guys that love football, that want to be great, that want to be coached. … We’re seeing what everybody’s talent and ability is right now, what their super power is and we’re putting guys in good positions to be able to make plays.”
Colorado posted a grand total of 13 sacks in 12 games last year, after posting 39 the season before.
Want to know the difference between a 9-4 team and a 3-9 team? On defense, you don’t have to look much further than the sack totals.
Picking starters as Fall Camp opens is a fools errand. All of the above players will see playing time, as defensive linemen often rotate throughout the game.
The question for the next 15 practices: Will any of the above names stand out as clear starters for Game One?
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Depth Chart: Inside Linebackers
Seniors: Gideon Lampron, Tyler Martinez, Liona Lefau, Bo LaPenna (walk-on)
Juniors: Gage Goldberg (walk-on)
Sophomores: None
Freshmen: Rodney Colton Jr., Carson Crawford, Colby Johnson
Projected Starters … Gideon Lampron, Tyler Martinez
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Yup, you are reading it right.
In many a card game, the gap in the CU linebacker roster would be referred to as “Aces and Spaces”.
CU has several well regarded seniors in the linebacker room.
The Buffs also have several well regarded freshmen coming in … and nothing in between.
Gideon ESPN Lampron was first team All-MAC at Bowling Green last year, posting 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss (tied for fifth nationally) and 2.5 sacks. Prior to his time with the Falcons, he played three seasons at Dayton. With the Flyers, he was an FCS All-American in 2024.
Lefau played 42 games for Texas, starting the last 20. He had 69 tackles, three tackles for loss and a sack last season and had 63 tackles, five TFLs and two sacks in 2024, helping the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.
“(Lefau) has really displayed the type of athleticism, the intellect that he has as a player, and he doesn’t let a lot of stuff slow him down, whether it’s people trying to block him or a call that puts a little bit of stress on him and his position,” defensive coordinator Chris Marve said. “He’s going to get to the ball.”
Tyler Martinez is the other scholarship linebacker on the roster. Martinez has experience, but he missed most of last season at New Mexico State with an injury.
“I think Tyler Martinez has come in and done really well,” Marve said in the spring. “Really smart, doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, very confident. He’s seen a lot of football, played a lot of football and puts in the time outside of what’s required. I think the same thing with Gideon Lampron. I mean, exceptional athlete, very explosive, but puts it on tape, too. He plays extremely fast and I’ve liked what I’ve seen out of him.”
Carson Crawford was one of CU’s four-star recruits from the Class of 2027, and may lead the three freshmen into the rotation, but the Buff Nation will be cheering hard for the three seniors to play well … and stay healthy.
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Depth Chart: Cornerbacks
Seniors: Justin Eaglin, Emory Floyd
Juniors: Boo Carter, RJ Johnson, Makari Vickers, Paul Omodia
Sophomores: Jason Stokes, Cree Thomas,
Redshirt-Freshmen: Maurice Williams
Freshman:
Projected Starters … Cree Thomas, Boo Carter
Boo Carter will be on the field this fall, whether at corner or as a nickel back … or even safety.
“We’ve asked him to do a lot. He loves this game. He loves to be coached, and he does whatever you ask him to do, so we’re excited to have him,” DC Chris Marve said about cornerback Carter.
The biggest thing Carter brings to the Buffaloes is great depth and versatility in the secondary and the potential to become a starter at a variety of positions. Carter’s speed is a major bonus for Marve, as it gives Colorado a player who could match the speed of opposing receivers to limit big plays.
Marve could also use Carter as a nickel back, or even safety in the back end in obvious passing situations to take away their opponents’ best receivers by doubling them or limiting their speed as serious threats over the top of the defense.
The other cornerback position will likely be filled by Notre Dame transfer Cree Thomas. Though only a red-shirt freshman in terms of eligibility, Thomas was tabbed as CU’s top cornerback in spring practices, and was one of the Buffs representing CU at the Big 12 Media Days.
There isn’t obvious starting talent amongst the other players listed at cornerback. That being said, with most offenses focusing on the passing game, there will be numerous opportunities for the CU’s other corners to get playing time.
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Depth Chart: Nickel Back
Seniors:
Juniors: Drew Molinari
Sophomores:
Redshirt-Freshmen: Donovan Stephens
Freshman: Preston Ashley
Projected Starter … Preston Ashley
“He’s a guy that’s hungry for knowledge”, nickel backs coach Kevin Mathis said of Preston Ashley. “The things he’s done on the field and what he brings to the table. It’s energy all the time. He has that energy, he has that juice that we’re looking for. He has that passion that we’re looking for.”
Ashley is a four-star recruit, but he’s still a freshman. If Ashley goes down, or proves to be unready to face Power Four competition, it would make sense for Boo Carter to move into the nickel slot. There are other options at nickel, including junior college transfers Donovan Stephens and Drew Moliniari, but the fact that Moliniari was just added to the roster in July speaks to the concern of a lack of depth in this area of the secondary.
At the end of the day, there is more talent in the cornerback list than there is at nickel, so if Ashley doesn’t work out, sliding Carter into the nickel position, and putting other corner candidates on the field, may prove to be the safest move.
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Depth Chart: Safety
Seniors: Naeten Mitchell, Ben Finneseth, Randon Fontenette
Juniors: Jah Jah Boyd, Jayden Hardy
Sophomores:
Redshirt-Freshmen:
Freshman: Braylon Edwards
Projected Starters … Naeten Mitchell, Randon Fontenette
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New Mexico State transfer Naeten Mitchell is a near-lock to start in the Buffs’ defensive backfield. Mitchell has developed into a hard-hitting turnover machine, exemplifying the type of player Coach Prime wants to see in his secondary. Mitchell had a breakout season in 2025, leading Aggies with 93 tackles to go with six pass breakups and four forced fumbles, earning second team All-Conference USA honors.
Randon Fontenette, meanwhile, made 24 starts across two seasons for Vanderbilt and adjusted quickly to a new defense this spring.
Former walk-on Ben Finneseth is a fan favorite, and did start six games last season, but the goal for the CU secondary this season is to upgrade its results (103rd in interceptions, 121st in total defense, 111th in scoring defense last season). Finneseth will play, but, if Finneseth is on the field for most of the game, it means the safety transfers are not working out … and that’s not good news for the Buff Nation.
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Colorado enters the 2026 season with a defensive coordinator who was the linebackers coach until February 25th, when Robert Livingston left the program for the Denver Broncos. Chris Marve does have experience as a defensive coordinator (Virginia Tech 2022-24), but his results at Virginia Tech were mixed.
The Colorado defense is a complete rebuild, with only a handful of faces back from the 2025 season.
It’s a good thing in the sense that the Buff defense in 2025 was horrid, giving up over 425 yards per game (121st nationally) and 30.5 points per game (111th).
But with a new defensive coordinator, an entirely new roster, and a lack of a track record of producing strong defenses, it’s not a surprise that little is expected of Coach Prime’s defense in Year Four.
It will be up to the above roster to prove the haters wrong …
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