More depth and competition is coming to the trenches for Colorado.
On Friday night, CU and head coach Deion Sanders picked up commitments from defensive linemen Ezra Christensen (formerly of New Mexico State) and Vili Taufatofua (San Jose State), and offensive lineman Jose Soto (Sacramento State).
Christensen earned first-team All-Conference USA honors this season after posting 42 tackles and leading the Aggies with 11 tackles for loss and six sacks. During the regular season, he led all FBS defensive linemen with 28 quarterback hurries, per Pro Football Focus.
A 6-foot-2, 280-pound senior this season, Christensen will have one more season to play. He began his career with two seasons at San Diego Mesa College, earning first-team all-conference honors in 2022. That year, he had 37 tackles, 12.5 TFLs and seven sacks. He then played two seasons at Fresno State, appearing in 12 games in 2023 and playing four regular season games in 2024 before redshirting.
Taufatofua also has one season of eligibility remaining after a breakout season at San Jose State. Listed at 6-3, 259, he was All-Mountain West honorable mention after posting 34 tackles, seven TFLs, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 11 starts for the Spartans.
In 2022, Taufatofua played at New Mexico Military Institute, recording 81 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. He then spent the next two seasons at Utah, but played in just one game for the Utes.
Soto was an 11-game starter at right guard this year at Sacramento State, where he played for head coach Brennan Marion, now the offensive coordinator for the Buffs. According to PFF, he did not allow a sack or quarterback hit in Big Sky Conference games.
The 6-3, 312-pound Soto redshirted in 2023 and came into the 2024 season as the Hornets’ starting right guard, but he suffered a season-ending injury in the opener.
CU has landed 26 transfer commits so far this offseason.
