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CU Starting Lineups: Defense – Mid-Spring Edition
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It is impossible to predict in March who will be CU’s starters on September 3rd in Atlanta against Georgia Tech.
What’s more, you really don’t want to have anointed starters in the early stages of spring practices. Competition for every starting position should be up for grabs … Iron sharpens iron, and all that. Even the most likely starter for the Buffs this fall – quarterback Julian Lewis – needs to feel pressure from his backups to get better.
That being said, CU is likely to have between 18-20 new faces in its starting 22 this fall, so it’s not too early to start wondering how the roster is filling out. With the lack of a second Transfer Portal this April, the 85 or so scholarship players in the Champions Center today are going to comprise the vast majority of CU’s personnel this fall.
That being the case, let’s dive in, and put in some guesstimates as who Coach Prime will be depending upon to be on the field this season …
“CU Starting Lineups: Offense – Mid-Spring Edition” … can be found here …
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Defense
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Defensive Tackles
Projected Starters – Santana Hopper; Vili Taufatofua
Backups … Lemont Lester; Josiah Manu; Tyler Moore; Dylan Manuel; Sedrick Smith; Ezra Christensen; Samu Taumanupepe
CU entered spring practice with a defensive front built almost entirely through transfers and new additions. Five defensive ends and nine interior linemen will line up as Buffs for the first time, creating one of the most reshaped units on the roster.
Glass half full? There is a combination of proven production and physical size. From Power Five transfers to junior college standouts and conference award winners, Colorado’s defensive line room blends experience, length and interior mass as it rebuilds the front.
Santana Hopper and Ezra Christensen are two of those players who are part of Coach Prime’s new “production over promise” campaign.
Hopper played for Appalachian State last season, which might not impress some – but Hopper was a menace on the field. In 2025, Hopper appeared in 14 games and totaled 31 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, adding a fumble recovery and four quarterback hurries. His tackles for loss accounted for 44 yards, and his sacks resulted in 33 yards lost.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hopper graded as one of the top defensive linemen in the country with an 80.2 overall defensive grade. He recorded 12 quarterback hits, which ranked first nationally, and totaled 39 quarterback pressures, third nationally, while posting an 81.4 pass rush grade. His ability to affect the quarterback extended beyond sack numbers, as he consistently collapsed the pocket and forced hurried decisions.
Meanwhile, Taufatofua brings proven production, pass rush efficiency and international background to Colorado’s defensive front.
In 2025 at San Jose State, Taufatofua started all 11 games and earned All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors while also being named CSC Academic All-District. He finished the season with 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and one pass breakup, establishing himself as one of the more disruptive defensive linemen in the conference.
That being said … the interior of CU’s defensive line is still lacking in size and Power Four experience. Projected starters Taufatofua is is 6’3″, 260; Hopper is 6’2″, 265 – waaaay too small to clog up the middle of the line.
Until proven otherwise, this unit is the weak link of the defense.
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Defensive Ends
Projected Starters – Toby Anene; Domata Peko, Jr.
Backups … Kylan Salters; Quency Wiggins; Immanuel Ezeogu; Balansama Kamara; Yamii Talib
If nothing else, this group shows promise. The defensive ends combine athleticism and pass rush ability. Several newcomers arrive with all conference recognition and double digit tackles for loss in their careers. The emphasis on pressure off the edge is clear, and spring practice will determine who sets the tone.
Toby Anene was a 2025 All-Missouri Valley Conference second team selection, and AP FCS All-American Honorable Mention, joining the Buffs after a successful three seasons with North Dakota State. In 2024 he was on the FCS National Championship team whose only loss of the season was to CU in Boulder. In that season he started the last nine games at defensive end. He led the Missouri Valley Football Conference with four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries and four pass breakups. In 2025, Anene was stellar, recording 8.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and a forced fumble in 13 starts.
While Domata Peko Sr. left CU to coach in the NFL, Domata Peko Jr. stayed in Boulder. Peko was one of the most highly rated junior college edge defenders in the country this past off-season, bringing pedigree, versatility and national recruiting recognition to Colorado’s defensive front.
Coming out of Ventura College, Peko was ranked among the top junior college prospects in the nation. The 247 Composite listed him as the No. 5 overall junior college player nationally and the No. 1 edge defender in the class. Rivals Industry Ranking also rated him No. 5 nationally and the top edge defender.
At Ventura College, Peko Jr. played one season and recorded 16 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. He added five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, showing his ability to impact the game beyond the stat sheet.
Here’s hoping the Buffs new defensive ends can translate production at the lower levels to production in the Big 12 …
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Linebackers
Projected Starters – Liona Lefau; Gideon ESPN Lapron
Backups … Rodney Colton, Carson Crawford, Colby Johnson, Tyler Martinez; Gage Goldberg; Bo Simmons-Lapenna
A gaping hole in the defense in 2025, improving the linebacker corps was a priority for the CU coaching staff during this last off-season.
Mission accomplished? To be determined.
There are several well regarded freshmen in CU’s linebacker room, with Carson Crawford being the highest rated recruit in CU’s Recruiting Class of 2026. The freshmen, which also includes Rodney Colton and Colby Johnson, may well see significant playing time this fall … but that would not be the first choice for many Buff fans.
Gideon ESPN Lampron, Liona Lefau and Tyler Martinez bring starting experience and consistent tackle production at the collegiate level, giving the defense stability at the second level. Their experience in multiple schemes and high-level competition provides a foundation for the room.
In 2025, Lefau started all 12 games for Texas, posting multiple career highs, including an 11-tackle performance late in the season. He also recorded a fumble recovery, returned 52 yards for a touchdown and consistently contributed in both run support and pass coverage. As a sophomore in 2024, he appeared in all 16 games with 10 starts.
In addition to being an immediate fan favorite because of his name, Gideon ESPN Lapron brings real numbers to Boulder. At Bowling Green in 2025, Lapron started all 12 games and served as a team captain. He recorded 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, adding two forced fumbles. He was the only player in the nation to finish the regular season with at least 100 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. He earned First Team All-MAC honors and Phil Steele All-America honorable mention recognition.
It’s too early to consider the unit a strength of the defense, but it is certainly much improved (at least on paper) from last season.
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Defensive Backs
Projected Starters – Justin Eaglin (CB); RJ Johnson (CB); Boo Carter (Nickel); Randon Fontenette (S); Naeten Mitchell (S)
Backups … Jah Jah Boyd; Braylon Edwards; Emory Floyd; Jayden Hardy; Paul Omodia; Ashley Preston; Donavon Stephens; Cree Thomas; Alex Ward; Mojo Williams, Jr.; Ben Finneseth; Kole Mathis; Makari Vickers
Colorado’s defensive backroom enters the season with a diverse mix of returning contributors, proven transfer production and a large group of newcomers across both cornerback and safety positions. The unit features experienced veterans who have contributed on defense and special teams, alongside multiple transfers who bring starting experience from the Power Four and Group of Five levels.
At safety, the group is bolstered by physical back-end defenders with tackling production, ball disruption and versatility to align at multiple depths. The cornerback group combines length, speed and coverage ability, with players capable of handling boundary, field and nickel responsibilities.
Let’s start with Boo Carter, the Tennessee transfer who projects to be CU’s starting nickel back. Carter oozes talent and potential … but … you don’t know if he will work out in Boulder.
The upside is clear. Carter is a dynamic defensive back who made an immediate impact at Tennessee, earning the starting STAR role as a true freshman while contributing on defense and special teams. He appeared in 21 career games with five starts. He was named to the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team, and was recognized as a preseason All-American by multiple outlets. As a punt returner, he averaged 16.0 yards per return for his career and led the SEC in punt return average as a freshman.
But … Carter also had off the field issues with his team and teammates, and was dismissed from the team for violating undisclosed team rules.
Justin Eaglin is an experienced cornerback who comes to CU from James Madison, fresh off of a College Football Playoff appearance. At James Madison, Eaglin appeared in 25 career games, making 14 starts. During the 2025 season, he played in all 14 games with 11 starts, earning Second Team All-Sun Belt, All-ECAC honors and appearing in the College Football Playoff with James Madison.
At the other corner, returning Buff RJ Johnson could be the starter. Johnson looked to be a full time starter early in the 2025 season, but missed the last eight games due to injury.
At the safety positions, Buff fans might be looking for familiar faces, with Ben Finneseth and Makari Vickers among the few CU players from last year’s roster who are still around.
But I’m penciling in Randon Fontenette and Naeten Mitchell on the back end of the defense.
Fontenette has one of the best resumes of any of CU’s transfers. Fontenette is a physical safety with extensive Power Four experience who has appeared in 37 career games with 24 starts at TCU and Vanderbilt. In 2025, he started all 13 games for the Commodores, totaling 52 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and six pass breakups.
Mitchell, meanwhile, is a back-end safety who emerged as a productive defender during the 2025 season, leading New Mexico State with 93 total tackles while adding six pass breakups, three interceptions and four forced fumbles. He appeared in 12 games during the season and recorded double-digit tackles in four contests.
“Naeten’s doing well. He’s constantly in my office every day,” CU safeties coach Vonn Bell said.
“I’m still building into (a role) and finding my way around the scheme,” Mitchell said. “But I’ve been kind of been able to fly around. I like to play free safety. I’m a smaller guy, but I feel like I’m a playmaker. I feel like that’s my game is getting to the ball and just being able to make plays.”
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Overall
Who knows?
There are a number of new players on defense who have extensive playing experience. This is a good omen for a team which last year made bets on potential (Alabama defensive tackle Jaheim Oatis being the poster child), and lost those bets more often than they won.
Even the most optimistic Buff fan, though, would have to acknowledge that CU is woefully short on big time (literally and figuratively) defensive tackles. At linebacker, there are several talented transfers coming in, and several talented freshmen, but if the transfers don’t work out, and the freshmen aren’t ready … well, it might not work out well for Robert Livingston’s defense.
Last season, Colorado was near the bottom of the nation in national rankings in rushing defense (133rd), total defense (121st), and scoring defense (111th).
Arguably, the defensive lineup for 2026 is better. There is more talent and depth on the edge, the linebackers could be good (if they stay healthy), and the secondary has potential all-conference players.
But is the defensive roster that much better than last season’s? Good enough to move CU’s defense from horrid … to at least average?
Hope springs eternal …
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