Colorado didn’t just dip into the transfer portal this offseason - they went all-in on rebuilding a defense that needed serious reinforcements. After a tough 3-9 campaign that exposed depth issues on all levels of the field, the Buffaloes responded with a full-scale reload, bringing in 43 new players to reshape the roster. And when it comes to the defensive line, they didn’t just add bodies - they added impact.
Let’s start with the headliners. Santana Hopper, one of the top defensive linemen available in the portal, is now a Buff.
Hopper, who comes over from Tulane, was ranked as the No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 35 overall player in the entire portal class - and it’s easy to see why. In 2025, he racked up 29 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 10.5 tackles for loss, earning an 80.2 grade from Pro Football Focus - third-best among all transfer defensive tackles.
He brings a disruptive presence to the interior that Colorado sorely lacked last season.
Joining him is another major get: Erza Christensen, formerly of New Mexico State. His transfer hit a brief snag due to eligibility concerns, but with a waiver now in hand, he’s officially in the mix.
And that’s big news for Colorado. Christensen was the highest-graded transfer defensive tackle in the portal, boasting an elite 88.6 PFF grade.
His 2025 stat line jumps off the page - 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and a staggering 28 quarterback hurries. That kind of production doesn’t just fill a hole - it changes the tone of your entire defensive front.
Christensen also brings some familiar faces with him. He’s one of three New Mexico State defenders to make the move to Boulder this offseason, joining Naeten Mitchell and Tyler Martinez. That kind of continuity could pay dividends in the locker room and on the field, especially early in the season when chemistry matters most.
But the Buffs didn’t stop there. Sedrick Smith (Maryland), Dylan Manuel (Appalachian State), Samu Taumanupepe (Baylor), and Vili Taufatofua (San Jose State) round out a deep and diverse group of interior linemen. Each brings something different to the table - whether it’s gap-plugging size, pass-rush twitch, or versatility across the front.
All told, Colorado’s defensive line overhaul is one of the most aggressive portal rebuilds in the country - and potentially one of the most impactful. After losing 36 players to the portal, including names like Tawfiq Byard (Texas A&M), London Merritt (Clemson), and Alexander McPherson (Penn State), head coach Deion Sanders and his staff didn’t just plug the leaks - they reinforced the entire foundation.
With Hopper and Christensen anchoring the middle, and a wave of new talent rotating around them, the Buffs are betting big on a defensive turnaround. If this group gels, the days of getting gashed up front could be behind them - and Colorado might just be ready to start flipping the script.