Coming to a new team and learning a new defense, Naeten Mitchell hasn’t tried to cut any corners.
In fact, the Colorado safety is doing all he can to get extra work into his days.
“Naeten’s doing well. He’s constantly in my office every day,” CU safeties coach Vonn Bell said.
A transfer from New Mexico State, Mitchell is one of several newcomers to the Buffaloes and he’s aiming to be a leader on the back end of the defense.
“Man, itap been great,” he said of his start at CU. “Itap just learning the new scheme and learning new teammates to play with. Itap been awesome. Everybody’s buying in and I feel like the culture is really built up with (defensive coordinator Chris) Marve coming in. So, I mean, itap been great so far.”
Mitchell spent three seasons at New Mexico State and had his breakout campaign in 2025. Mitchell earned second-team All-Conference USA honors last year, leading the Aggies with 93 tackles, while adding three interceptions, six pass breakups and four forced fumbles.
This spring, Mitchell has made some plays in practice, flashing his ability.
“I put a lot of work into being able to make those plays,” he said. “So when I can go out there and produce for my team and make those plays, itap a blessing. Once I get the ball in my hands, try to do what I can do with it. I’ve made a couple of plays so far, so I’ve got to keep it going. But the plays that I’ve made, itap been great; the coaches have put me in a good position, my teammates have been right there next to me.”
At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Mitchell is a smaller safety, but so were former Buffs stars Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Tawfiq Byard. Despite being 5-10, 185, Silmon-Craig was one of CU’s top defenders in 2023 and 2024. Byard was generously listed at 6-1, 195 and was arguably CU’s best defender last year.
Mitchell would love to find similar success on a defense that has been rebuilt through the transfer portal and on the coaching staff.
“I’m still building into (a role) and finding my way around the scheme,” Mitchell said. “But I’ve been kind of been able to fly around. I like to play free safety. I’m a smaller guy, but I feel like I’m a playmaker. I feel like thatap my game is getting to the ball and just being able to make plays.”
Spending time with Bell, a former nine-year NFL veteran who is in his first year as a coach, has helped Mitchell.
“He’s done what I want to do (by playing in the NFL),” Mitchell said. “If I can get all the knowledge from him, I mean, thatap a blessing in disguise. Just being able to go in there all the time, speak to him about anything – football, outside of football – he’s just been awesome. I can go in there whenever I want to and talk to him. Him being open to teaching me everything he’s been through and what he’s gone through, itap been awesome.”
A desire to play in the NFL is part of why Mitchell landed at CU this past winter. He had success at New Mexico State, but is surrounded by better talent in Boulder, as well as a coaching staff with NFL experience, led by head coach Deion Sanders, a Hall of Fame cornerback.
“I feel like a big part for me when I got into the transfer portal was finding a staff that can get me as close to the league as possible,” Mitchell said. “With this staff, itap second to none. Most of the guys in here have been to the league or have done what we all want to do. So, that was a big part for me, especially Deion, being able to come in here and talk to him and how he spoke to my family; just everything how he told me I was going to fit into the scheme and things of that nature.
“It all bought in and I’m glad I’m here.”
