Colorado’s safety room has a different look this fall, and new coach Vonn Bell already has a clear read on which players are setting the tone.
Bell, who joined Deion Sanders’ staff in February after a nine-year NFL career, pointed to Randon Fontenette and Naeten Mitchell as two of the main leaders in the group.
"Those guys, continuously making strides and progressing in the right way. Building unity on and off the field. . . They're leading guys in the right direction," Bell said per DNVR Buffs' Jake Schwanitz.
That partnership showed up after Friday’s practice, when Fontenette told reporters he and Mitchell have made a point of communicating before every snap. That kind of back-end communication matters, and the growing chemistry between the two could be a clue about how the starting safety jobs are shaking out.
Ben Finneseth is still in the mix, though, and his role brings a different kind of value. He’s one of the few returning pieces from Colorado’s 2025 team, and even if he doesn’t end up in the starting lineup, Sanders made it clear at Big 12 Media Days that Finneseth still carries real leadership weight.
"Just because Ben (Finneseth) isn't penciled in as your starter, as your guy, as your killer, as your dawg, he's a leader. If it's time to fight, he swings first.
If it's time to choke somebody, get him right and get him in line, he's going to the house and knocking on the front door first. You can't always equate the talent level to leadership and a guy that has CU tattooed on his chest when he takes off his shirt.
He is that guy," Sanders said on Finneseth at Big 12 Media Days.
Colorado also added several defensive backs through the transfer portal, including Jah Jah Boyd, Boo Carter and Jaydan Hardy. Bell singled out Boyd after Friday’s practice, saying the Indiana transfer could carve out a role because of how many spots he can handle.
"Probably one of the most versatile guys in the room," Bell said on Boyd, per Schwanitz.
Carter has also drawn praise from Sanders during fall camp. Sanders said the Tennessee transfer could be a first-round NFL Draft pick if he stays in Boulder and keeps developing.
Even with the competition at safety, Carter should find a way onto the field because of his kick and punt returning work, and he may end up becoming another useful piece for Bell and Colorado’s defensive staff.
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