Two Colorado defenders rank among Big 12 leaders in QB pressures

Colorado football has two defenders among the Big 12's top four in quarterback pressures entering the Buffaloes bye week, with Santana Hopper and Lamont Lester Jr. leading a productive defensive front under coordinator Chris Marve.

Hopper ranks third with 16 pressures, followed by Lester with 15. Texas Tech's AJ Holmes Jr. leads the conference with 27, while teammate Mateen Ibirogba sits second with 19.

The Colorado pair has given the Buffaloes hope, consistently disrupting the first five games and contributing to a defense that has recorded 44 tackles for loss, a top-three mark nationally.

Big 12 leaders in total QB pressures:
AJ Holmes Jr. - Texas Tech (27)
Mateen Ibiroga - Texas Tech (19)
Santana Hopper - Colorado (16)
Lamont Lester Jr. - Colorado (15) https://t.co/F51bhuyBGypic.twitter.com/UBflnil92D

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) October 7, 2026

DT Santana Hopper

Hopper became a significant interior presence after transferring from Tulane, leading Colorado with 10 tackles last week while generating pressure from inside the defensive line.

His work against Texas Tech helped the Buffaloes limit the Red Raiders to a season-low 315 yards in Saturday's 29-7 loss. Hopper repeatedly disrupted running plays and pushed into the backfield, giving Colorado many opportunities that the offense failed to capitalize on. His 16 pressures also show his impact on the passing game and his consistent disruption.

DE Lamont Lester Jr.

Lester introduced himself with three sacks in Colorado's season-opening victory at Georgia Tech, immediately establishing an edge presence after transferring from Monmouth.

He has four sacks and six tackles for loss in four appearances, adding outside production to complement Hopper's interior work.

Lester missed the Texas Tech game with an injury, and Colorado will need to monitor his status as it prepares to host Utah on Oct. 17.

Colorado's defense carries momentum into the bye

The Buffaloes recorded 20 tackles for loss across their first two Big 12 games against Baylor and Texas Tech. Opponents completed approximately 55% of their passes and converted roughly 31% of third-down attempts in both games.

That production has given Marve a foundation for the rest of the conference schedule, and Hopper and Lester are two of Colorado's most dependable sources of pressure.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Two Colorado defenders rank among Big 12 leaders in QB pressures