Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Tackle Ezra Christensen Turning Heads In Spring Practice

Following a lot of roster turnover on the defensive side, the Colorado Buffaloes were able to bring in defensive tackle Ezra Christensen, who has a great opportunity to become a dominant force up front for the Buffaloes.

While speaking to the media on Friday, defensive line coach Dante Carter talked about what Christensen can bring to the table for Colorado.

Colorado Buffaloes Defensive Tackle Ezra Christensen Turning Heads Defensive Line Coach Dante Carter Coach Deion Sanders — Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders looks on during the second quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Ezra Christensen’s Skillset

“Ezra is very explosive, has a lot of twitch. Can make a lot of plays for you within the defense,” said Carter.

During the 2025 season, Christenson was playing for the New Mexico State Aggies, where he was very dominant. Last season, Christensen recorded 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hurries, six sacks, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. He showed a tremendous ability to always be around the ball to make plays as a pass rusher and as a run defender.

Regardless of what down it was, Christensen was constantly a player who could wreak havoc on opposing offenses all over the field. His knack for generating negative plays is very valuable and a huge reason why he was one of Colorado’s biggest additions from the transfer portal. With his versatility as a pass rusher and a run defender, the Buffaloes could be a much-improved defense overall.

Colorado’s Defensive Struggles

Last season, Colorado totaled just 13 sacks, which ranked 129th in the nation. The inability to get after the quarterback put the Buffaloes secondary in a tough position, having to cover for a long period of time with limited pressure.

The lack of pressure on the quarterback was compounded by the inability to stop the run. In 2025, Colorado allowed 222.5 rush yards per game, which was 135th in the country. As a result of not being able to stop the run, opposing offenses were constantly in very manageable situations on later downs, which made it almost impossible for Colorado to get off the field.

With these struggles in mind, Colorado coach Deion Sanders made it a point to significantly improve the defensive line across the board. Sanders added depth, but he also added players who showcase their talent as dominant players on all downs. Christensen is one of those dominant players who could make a major impact on the Buffaloes’ defense.

Ezra Christensen’s Eligibility

On the field, there is no concern that Christensen could be a productive player. However, when it comes to his eligibility, there is a question as to whether he will be ruled eligible for the 2026 season.

“Right now, he has his situation we’re trying to figure out, and we’re still working through it, but I’m very excited to see what he does for us in the fall once we get his situation taken care of,” added Carter.

Christensen is hoping his time in junior college doesn’t count toward his eligibility, so he may earn at least one more season back to be eligible for the 2026 season. The situation surrounding his eligibility is still uncertain, but the Colorado coaching staff has optimism that he will be eligible for next season to carve out a major role in defensive coordinator Chris Marve's defense.

If the Buffaloes can secure Christensen’s eligibility for 2026, the defensive line could be one of the deepest units in the Big 12. Christensen has shown his ability to be dominant on tape consistently, and with his versatility as a pass rusher and run defender, he could be one of the best defensive linemen in the Big 12.

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