The Colorado State football team added over 40 players this offseason and prioritized the defensive side of the ball, especially the defensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, two of those players were among the best at their respective positions last season. New Mexico State transfer defensive lineman Ezra Christensen is the highest-graded defensive tackle in the 2025 class with a PFF grade of 88.6. Tulane transfer Santana Hopper also cracked PFF’s top 8, ranking third with a grade of 80.2.
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Hopper finished the 2025 season with 29 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. His 39 quarterback pressures ranked second among defensive tackles in 2025, indicating he is well-deserved for his spot on PFF’s list.
Christensen barely joined the Buffs after claiming eligibility waivers, but his presence on Colorado’s defensive line could be a game-changer. Christensen, similar to Hooper, is a threat as a pass rusher and leads the FCS in rushing attempts among quarterbacks among defensive linemen (28).
Other players on the list include former Buff Thomas, who had a standout season at Georgia State before transferring to Oklahoma State.
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Christensen and Hooper give defensive coordinator Robert Livingston two more defensive tackles in the back three that can rush the passer and run the game at an elite level. Those are two traits the 2025 CU defense is sorely lacking.
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This article originally appeared in Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football’s Santana Hopper, Ezra Christensen top PFF rankings
