Colorado lands former Tulane DT, one of the portal's top defenders

[ASFN Admin]

Colorado continued its hot start to the 2026 transfer portal window Monday evening with one of the portal's top defensive players committing to the Buffaloes.

Former Tulane defensive tackle Santana Hopper announced his commitment to the program after one season with the Green Wave. He finished the 2025 season with 29 total tackles, 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. His 39 quarterback pressures in 2025 were 2nd most among defensive tackles. Hopper earned first-team All-Sun Belt at Appalachian State in 2024 and first-team All-AAC at Tulane this year.

According to On3's transfer portal rankings, Hopper is the No. 2 overall defensive lineman and the No. 35 overall player. Hopper is now ranked as the Buffs' highest-rated portal recruit.

Colorado has added eight defensive linemen during the first three days of the portal window, signaling a clear priority to bolster the defensive front. Hopper is the 13th transfer portal pick-up for the Buffs and continues the trend of adding Group of Five and FCS transfer opponents to Power 4 rejects.

BREAKING: Tulane standout transfer DL Santana Hopper has Committed to Colorado, source tells @On3Sports

He's totaled 100 tackles, 25.5 TFLs & 13 sacks over the last three seasons

Hopper is ranked as the No. 2 DL in the On3 Portal Rankingshttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhSpic.twitter.com/NhUGlxjS9g

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 6, 2026

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football transfer news Santana Hopper commitment

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