Defensive Line Making the Most of Opportunities
September 10, 2025 | Football
BOULDER - Colorado football has become a premier place to take advantage of an opportunity and never look back. The defensive line room is a perfect example of that principle.
Through two games this season, the starters on the interior defensive line have been the same with Anquin Barnes Jr. and Brandon Davis-Swain. While there has been stability at those positions, the process of reaching them has been quite different.
Barnes, who is in his second season at Colorado after three years at Alabama under legendary head coach Nick Saban, has transformed his body to be a major contributor for the Buffs.
That process started back in the spring, going from listed at 340 to coming in to fall camp at 315. Playing at a lower weight has allowed him to play the most snaps on the interior defensive line through two games, averaging 30 plays a game.
"I feel like ever since I lost the weight, I've been faster and I've been able to play better laterally as well as get off the ball," Barnes said on the weight loss. "It's helped me become more explosive. I think losing weight was the best thing that happened to me."
Over the last two seasons, Barnes has experienced a steady climb, receiving more playing time after appearing in 12 games with three starts in 2024. Part of his increased playing time has been attributed to his improvement in conditioning.
"Last week, there was a play the receiver broke, and then you see big [Anquin] Barnes," Coach Domata Peko said of Barnes. "He ran 30 yards down the field, and he's a nose guard. So anytime you see our guys running around and hunting like that and pursuing the ball, man, it opens up a lot of people's eyes."
Davis-Swain, who has been next to Barnes to start the season, has had a different process to earn his time on the field this year. After spending his high school career as a defensive end and tight end, he came to Colorado as a defensive end but quickly transitioned to the interior defensive line.
The transition took some time for the Michigan high school all-time leader in sacks to get comfortable. That came with the opposite journey, where he had to gain weight to play the position. Davis-Swain credits his offseason training as a big reason for his increased role.
"My offseason training," Davis-Swain said, on what led to his growth as a player. "Putting in extra work back at home when I'm not here and getting in extra work after practice with [Anquin] Barnes. Doing the little things, and it comes up in practice, too. Being myself out there, having fun. I think that was all I was missing last year was not having too much fun. I'm just having fun on the field again."
He has become one of only 10 FBS freshmen to start at defensive tackle this season, and the only one in the Big 12.
"He's a super consistent man," Peko commented. "That's what this game is about. It's about doing your job, owning your gap. Throughout camp, I don't think I could count on my hands how many times he was out of his gap, you know? He has really good gap integrity. He does all the right things, I'm so excited for him, and he's been doing his job, and that's why he earned the spot."
Both players will be put to the test on Friday against Houston, which is averaging 197.5 rushing yards per game. Kickoff will be at 5:30 p.m. MT on ESPN.
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Through two games this season, the starters on the interior defensive line have been the same with Anquin Barnes Jr. and Brandon Davis-Swain. While there has been stability at those positions, the process of reaching them has been quite different.
Barnes, who is in his second season at Colorado after three years at Alabama under legendary head coach Nick Saban, has transformed his body to be a major contributor for the Buffs.
That process started back in the spring, going from listed at 340 to coming in to fall camp at 315. Playing at a lower weight has allowed him to play the most snaps on the interior defensive line through two games, averaging 30 plays a game.
"I feel like ever since I lost the weight, I've been faster and I've been able to play better laterally as well as get off the ball," Barnes said on the weight loss. "It's helped me become more explosive. I think losing weight was the best thing that happened to me."
Over the last two seasons, Barnes has experienced a steady climb, receiving more playing time after appearing in 12 games with three starts in 2024. Part of his increased playing time has been attributed to his improvement in conditioning.
"Last week, there was a play the receiver broke, and then you see big [Anquin] Barnes," Coach Domata Peko said of Barnes. "He ran 30 yards down the field, and he's a nose guard. So anytime you see our guys running around and hunting like that and pursuing the ball, man, it opens up a lot of people's eyes."
Davis-Swain, who has been next to Barnes to start the season, has had a different process to earn his time on the field this year. After spending his high school career as a defensive end and tight end, he came to Colorado as a defensive end but quickly transitioned to the interior defensive line.
The transition took some time for the Michigan high school all-time leader in sacks to get comfortable. That came with the opposite journey, where he had to gain weight to play the position. Davis-Swain credits his offseason training as a big reason for his increased role.
"My offseason training," Davis-Swain said, on what led to his growth as a player. "Putting in extra work back at home when I'm not here and getting in extra work after practice with [Anquin] Barnes. Doing the little things, and it comes up in practice, too. Being myself out there, having fun. I think that was all I was missing last year was not having too much fun. I'm just having fun on the field again."
He has become one of only 10 FBS freshmen to start at defensive tackle this season, and the only one in the Big 12.
"He's a super consistent man," Peko commented. "That's what this game is about. It's about doing your job, owning your gap. Throughout camp, I don't think I could count on my hands how many times he was out of his gap, you know? He has really good gap integrity. He does all the right things, I'm so excited for him, and he's been doing his job, and that's why he earned the spot."
Both players will be put to the test on Friday against Houston, which is averaging 197.5 rushing yards per game. Kickoff will be at 5:30 p.m. MT on ESPN.
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