Buffs Beat

Lost Colorado Commit Ezra Christensen Drops Cryptic Post Amid Eligibility Fight

Amid his fight for another year of college eligibility, New Mexico State transfer defensive lineman Ezra Christensen dropped a cryptic social media post on Tuesday. Christensen had been committed to the Colorado Buffaloes out of the portal.
Jack Carlough|
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders before the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Colorado BuffaloesNew Mexico State Aggies

Ezra Christensen's fight for another year of college eligibility may not be completely over.

On Tuesday morning, the former New Mexico State defensive lineman commit posted on his Instagram story a picture of what appeared to be a flight over Colorado's Rocky Mountains. To add some suspense, he included the anticipatory eyeballs emoji in the corner along with FCG Heem's "On My Way" as the chosen song.

Lost Colorado Commit Ezra Christensen Post Eligibility Fight Buffaloes New Mexico State Transfer Portal Commit Deion Sanders
Aug 29, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of Big XII Colorado Buffaloes end zone marker before the game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

While it's all speculative, Christensen could be suggesting there's hope in his case for an extra year of eligibility. BuffZone's Brian Howell reported last week that Christensen, a fifth-year college player, isn't expected to receive an NCAA eligibility waiver to continue his career at Colorado.

Christensen and others who played multiple years at the junior college level are battling the NCAA to have their JUCO seasons not count toward their eligibility clock. Prior to his one season at New Mexico State, Christensen spent two years at San Diego College (2021-22) and two at Fresno State (2023-24).

"Never had the fair shot," Christensen wrote on social media regarding his eligibility case.

During his lone season at New Mexico State, Christensen totaled 42 tackles, six sacks, two passes defended and a forced fumble before entering the transfer portal. The 6-foot-2, 280-pound lineman had 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks in two prior seasons at Fresno State.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders spoke about Christensen's situation last week while appearing on Thee Pregame Show's "The Morning Run Live."

"We found out one guy didn't have any eligibility, and you got to make adjustments," Sanders said. "No, he's not coming to CU because he has no more eligibility. He should have known that. The last school that he played at should have known that and allowed us to know, as well as others, that was pursuing this young man.

"But it's not his fault. I know he wanted to continue his college — I don't show if I should say academics — career by extending it. Some of these kids, you got to understand, they don't want to go into this real world, real life."

Lost Colorado Commit Ezra Christensen Post Eligibility Fight Buffaloes New Mexico State Transfer Portal Commit Deion Sanders
Nov 29, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders yells at his team during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

Colorado has still reloaded well on the defensive line with Santana Hopper (Tulane), Sedrick Smith (Maryland), Dylan Manuel (Appalachian State) and other transfers locked in.

Still, the expected loss of Christensen remains disappointing.

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Examining Colorado's Transfer Portal Class, National Ranking

Lost Colorado Commit Ezra Christensen Post Eligibility Fight Buffaloes New Mexico State Transfer Portal Commit Deion Sanders
Sep 20, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Randon Fontenette (2) deflects the pass of Georgia State Panthers safety D-Icey Hopkins (4) during the first half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Sanders has so far landed just over 40 transfer portal commits, including 11 defensive linemen/edge rushers. Other notable commits to know include wide receivers DeAndre Moore Jr. (Texas) and Danny Scudero (San Jose State), safety Boo Carter (Tennessee) and offensive tackle Bo Hughley (Georgia).

According to 247Sports, Colorado's transfer portal class ranks No. 23 nationally and No. 4 in the Big 12 Conference. With winter workouts now underway in Boulder, "Coach Prime" has so far filled 80 scholarship spots.

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Jack Carlough
JACK CARLOUGH

Jack Carlough is lead reporter for Colorado Buffaloes on SI. Jack graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in journalism and minors in business and sports media. Born and raised in the Boulder area, Jack began covering Colorado athletics in 2018 and was the head sports editor of the CU Independent during his college career. More recently, he spent over three years as the managing editor of the USA Today Sports Network's Colorado Buffaloes Wire, where he covered Colorado's hiring of head football coach Deion Sanders. Other publications Jack has written for include the Boulder Daily Camera, Left Hand Valley Courier and SB Nation’s Ralphie Report. In 2022, the Colorado Press Association awarded Jack second place in its annual Class 5 Best Sports Column Writing category.

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