Naeten Mitchell Speaks Openly on Connection With Linebacker Tyler Martinez

Colorado Buffaloes safety Naeten Mitchell discussed how he and linebacker Tyler Martinez have lifted one another up since joining the program.

Jul 7, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado defensive back Naeten Mitchell during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Colorado Buffaloes transfer safety Naeten Mitchell joined CU by way of the New Mexico State Aggies this offseason. However, he didn’t make that trip alone.

He was joined by former Aggies linebacker Tyler Martinez in Boulder, and the pair now look to be crucial parts of CU’s defense. The duo each led the Aggies in tackles during the last two seasons, and they are both looking to prove that they can carry that production to the next level.

What Naeten Mitchell and Tyler Martinez Hope to Prove

Jul 7, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Colorado defensive back Naeten Mitchell during Big 12 Conference Football Media Days at The Star. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mitchell and Martinez recorded 93 and 94 tackles in 2025 and 2024, respectively, at New Mexico State. Those team-highs will be hard to replicate at the Big 12 level, as it is a major step-up in opposing talent compared to what they saw in the Conference-USA. But Mitchell and Martinez share a mentality of wanting to prove that they can produce that well at any level.

“Coming from Conference-USA, we have that chip on our shoulders,” said Mitchell during his Friday press conference. “It means a lot coming from there, and we’re trying to prove a point now that we’ve gotten up here. We were both leaders on that team … We made a lot of plays. I’m excited to go out there and show the world what we’ve got now at Colorado.”

Naeten Mitchell’s Connection With Tyler Martinez in Fall Camp

Linebacker Tyler Martinez drops back in pass coverage as the Aggies opened their season on Saturday night against the Bryant Bulldogs at Aggie Memorial Stadium. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

The pair has been able to help one another prepare to make that leap in the coming season. Their established connection with each other has streamlined communication on defense. 

Colorado defensive coordinator Chris Marve emphasizes non-verbal communication in his defense to help the unit prepare for loud in-game environments. One of the primary forms of that non-verbal communication is eye contact, something Mitchell said that he and Martinez were able to pick up quickly due to their established connection.

“It’s been good being able to go through spring ball with him and fall camp,” Mitchell said. “The connection is there. It just feels like last year, being able to talk to him, and we make eye contact all the time. I’m excited for being able to hold each other accountable on the field and out of football as well. It’s going to be great to be out there with him.”

How Naeten Mitchell and Tyler Martinez Can Contribute on Defense

Naeten Mitchell (4) gets ready to tackle the Kennesaw State running back during Saturday's game. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

As Week 1 approaches and Colorado’s position battles wind down, it is clear that both Mitchell and Martinez will have major roles on defense. Mitchell has spent a good deal of time at a number of positions in the secondary, rotating between nickel and safety.

As for Martinez, he has been featured heavily in a rotation at mike linebacker with Bowling Green Falcons transfer Gideon ESPN Lampron and Texas Longhorns transfer Liona Lefau.

In most sets, one or both of the former Aggies are on the field and helping lead communication between their teammates. 

That communication will be crucial to begin the season. The Buffaloes kick off the 2026 campaign in a tough road environment against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta, Georgia. The team features a complex offensive scheme that will require the duo’s identification skills to shut down.

That first game will be the first true showcase of how well the duo has adapted to the Power Four level and a display of what they will bring to coach Deion Sanders’ defense for the remainder of the year.

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