Colorado football is entering its most pivotal season under head coach Deion Sanders after finishing 3-9 in 2025 and needing to bounce back in a major way. Sanders is hoping a retooled defense led by new defensive coordinator Chris Marve can be part of the fix.
The defense is expected to have a completely new look, with transfers possibly filling all 11 starting spots. Along the defensive line, a rotating group of edge rushers will need to step up to elevate a pass rush that could not get to the quarterback last year. A new starting linebacker duo and an entirely revamped secondary will complete the defensive rebrand.
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Fall camp offers an opportunity for the new group to build much-needed chemistry, but more importantly, find the 11 players that work best together. After going over the offensive depth chart, here is our projected two-deep defensive lineup heading into Colorado football‘s fall camp.
Defensive End
IOWA CITY, IA – AUGUST 30: Running back Nathan McNeil #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field in the second half against defensive back Denzel Patrick #2 and defensive lineman Balansama Kamara #0 of the Albany Great Danes on August 30, 2025 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Starters: Toby Anene, Vili Taufatofua
Backup(s): Immanuel Ezeogu, Lamont Lester Jr., Balasama Kamara, Yamil Talib
The Buffs brought in six edge rushers from the transfer portal, but remain without a massive star at the position. Still, all six players were productive at their previous stop, making a rotation-based approach likely. Taufatofua stands out, racking up 34 tackles and three sacks in his one season with San Jose State; he brings a very athletic profile to the Buffs. Alongside him will be Anene, a North Dakota State transfer, who recorded 8.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks last year.
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Defensive Tackle
Dec 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tulane Green Wave defensive lineman Santana Hopper (29) reacts to sacking North Texas Mean Green quarterback Drew Mestemaker (not pictured) during the first half in the 2025 American Championship at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Starters: Santana Hopper, Ezra Christensen (?)
Backup(s): Dylan Manuel, Tyler Moore, Sedrick Smith, Samu Taumanupepe
Colorado’s front-7 has seen the most turnover of any unit on the team, and that’s saying something for a team that lost more than 50 transfers. The group will be led by experienced defensive tackle Santana Hopper, who notched 4.5 sacks and 29 tackles last season at Tulane. Christensen is the major wildcard of this group as he is currently battling his eligibility status in court. If he is cleared, his presence changes the entire outlook of CU’s defensive front. Dylan Manuel and Tyler Moore are the most likely replacements if Christensen remains ineligible.
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Linebacker
Sep 20, 2025; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Louisville Cardinals running back Keyjuan Brown (22) runs the ball against Bowling Green Falcons linebacker Gideon Lampron (4) during the first quarter at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images
Starters: Gideon Lampron, Liona Lefau
Backups: Tyler Martinez, Carson Crowford, Rodney Colton Jr., Colby Johnson
Lampron and Lefau have the potential to be one of the Big 12’s better linebacker pairings. Both are tackling savants and should stabilize a unit that was very leaky in 2025. Martinez is no slouch either, but he’s coming off an injury that could delay when he starts games for Colorado.
Cornerback
Jul 7, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado defensive back Cree Thomas speaks with reporters during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Starters: Cree Thomas, Justin Eaglin, Boo Carter (nickel)
Backup(s): RJ Johnson, Emory Floyd, Makari Vickers, Paul Omodia
Cree Thomas is seemingly locked up as the No. 1 job, as he was one of the several Colorado players to make the trip to Big 12 Media Days in July. He had a fantastic spring and deserves a shot to start Week 1. Opposite him, I am going with Juston Eaglin, who stood out during the College Football Playoff last season for JMU. Former Tennessee safety Boo Carter will line up all over the formation, but I am guessing he plays a lot of nickel for CU.
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Safety
Vanderbilt safety Randon Fontenette (2) celebrates after defeating Auburn in overtime at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
Starters: Naeten Mitchell, Randon Fotenette
Backup(s): Jayden Hardy, Ben Finneseth, Jah Jah Boyd
I am fascinated to see how Chris Marve divvies out practice reps to the safety group, because it is a talented bunch. Mitchell and Fontenette are both elite playmakers and should be more than formidable covering the back end. Hardy is an Oklahoma transfer with a high recruiting pedigree, and Finneseth will see time on the field as a player the coaching staff trusts.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football two-deep defensive depth chart entering fall camp
