Colorado’s defense is heading into fall camp with a whole new identity, and that might be the biggest storyline around a program trying to climb back after a 3-9 season in 2025. Deion Sanders has handed the keys to new defensive coordinator Chris Marve, and the expectation is clear: this group has to be rebuilt fast, and it may take transfers to fill every starting spot.
That kind of overhaul brings both opportunity and uncertainty. Colorado is trying to piece together chemistry on the fly while also figuring out which 11 defenders can actually function together once the lights come on. The front seven, in particular, looks like a puzzle with a lot of new pieces.
At defensive end, the Buffs are leaning on Toby Anene and Vili Taufatofua. Colorado brought in six edge rushers through the portal, but there isn’t a true headliner in the bunch, which makes a rotation the likeliest path.
Taufatofua gives the group some pop after posting 34 tackles and three sacks in one season at San Jose State. Anene arrives from North Dakota State after a strong year that included 8.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.
The tackle spot is just as unsettled, though Santana Hopper gives the unit a veteran anchor. He comes over from Tulane after finishing with 29 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season.
The biggest swing factor is Christensen, whose eligibility is still being fought over in court. If he gets cleared, Colorado’s entire front changes shape.
If not, Dylan Manuel and Tyler Moore are the names most likely to fill the gap.
Inside, the linebacker duo of Lampron and Lefau could end up being one of the better pairings in the Big 12. Both have the kind of tackling ability that can clean up mistakes and steady a defense that was far too loose in 2025. Martinez adds another capable option, though an injury could slow down when he’s ready to start games for Colorado.
The secondary has its own fresh look, starting at corner. Cree Thomas appears set to claim the top job after being one of the Colorado players to travel to Big 12 Media Days in July.
He also turned in a strong spring, which makes him the clear favorite to open the season in the lineup. On the other side, Justin Eaglin gets the nod after standing out during the College Football Playoff last season for JMU.
Boo Carter, the former Tennessee safety, should move around a lot, but the guess here is that he spends plenty of time at nickel.
Behind them, the depth chart has Jayden Hardy, Ben Finneseth and Jah Jah Boyd at safety. That group is one to watch closely once camp opens.
Mitchell and Fontenette are both described as elite playmakers, and they should give Colorado real strength on the back end. Hardy brings Oklahoma pedigree, while Finneseth is the kind of player the staff trusts enough to get on the field.
The big picture is simple: Colorado’s defense is almost entirely new, and fall camp is where the staff starts sorting out what actually works. The talent is there in pieces. Now the Buffs have to turn that into a unit.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Just Drew A Hard Line For Potential Buffs Returners
Deion Sanders opened the door a crack this week on a possible path back for some former Colorado players from the 2022 recruiting class after a recent eligibility ruling, but he made it clear the situation is not being treated like a blanket reunion. Any return would still have to pass both athletic and academic standards, which keeps this from being a simple matter of a player showing up and reclaiming a spot.
Sanders also made it plain that not everyone from that class is even in the conversation, with some former Buffs already ruled out by the circumstances of how they left and by academic issues. He further noted that the Colorado players from the 2022 JUCO class are not part of this discussion at all, leaving the focus on a narrower group and a process that still has several gates before anyone is welcomed back. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado May Have An Early Receiver Problem It Cant Ignore
Danny Scuderos early start with Colorado has already hit a pause, and that matters because the Buffaloes have been trying to sort out their receiver room in the opening days of fall camp. The former San Jose State wideout was not visible in Colorados first practice videos, and his absence has raised questions after a social media post showed him on crutches. The team has not offered an official update on the injury, leaving the situation unclear as camp continues.
In the meantime, other pass catchers have taken advantage of the extra reps. Kam Perry and Joseph Williams have both stood out in early practices, which gives Colorado some help while the staff waits for more clarity on Scudero. Still, for a group trying to build depth and chemistry quickly, any setback at receiver is worth watching closely, especially this early in camp. [Read more 🡒]
Joseph Williams Could Change Colorados Receiver Battle This Fall
Colorados receiver rotation could get a meaningful jolt this fall with Joseph Williams trending back into the mix. The Colorado pass-catcher, who was productive last season, has been working his way back after an injury that required surgery and kept him out of spring practice, a development that left the Buffaloes without one of their more proven options during the offseason work.
Williams has since been seen practicing again and had a positive exchange with Deion Sanders, a sign that he is moving toward being available for fall camp. For a Colorado offense trying to sort out roles and establish depth at receiver, his return adds another layer of competition and could reshape how the group looks once camp begins. [Read more 🡒]