Colorado University Athletics
Buffs Close Week 4 with Physical Scrimmage, Defensive Front Shows Growth
April 03, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — The Colorado Buffaloes concluded week four of spring practice with a spirited scrimmage inside the Ford Practice Facility, where the offense delivered explosive plays early before the defense answered with physicality up front and pressure in the backfield.
The offense struck with two long touchdown passes to Quanell Farrakhan Jr., flashing the big play ability that has shown up throughout spring. But the defense settled in as the day went on, limiting explosive plays, disrupting the run game and forcing action behind the line of scrimmage.
For interior defensive line coach Dante Carter, that response reflected exactly what he challenged his group to do.
"It was a great practice," Carter said. "I challenged the guys today to come out and start fast, and they did that. We started striking from the beginning, getting off the ball, playing double-teams really well. I'm proud of the direction we're going."
Carter is stepping into a larger role this spring, and he said the transition has brought both gratitude and responsibility.
"I'm very appreciative and very honored for the opportunity," Carter said. "I want to thank the man above first and thank Coach Prime for believing in me. I know I'm a very young coach, but for him to see that in me and believe I'm the fit for it, I'm very appreciative."
Last season, Carter worked behind the scenes helping prepare players each day. Now he is the voice leading the room.
"I've got to handle everything now," Carter said. "I've got to make sure they're going to class; make sure they're feeling good and make sure everyday operation is up to the standard we hold here."
Despite being close in age to many of his players, Carter said earning their respect has not been an issue.
"When it's time to work, I'm coach, and they understand that," he said. "Outside of football, we can joke around and do all that. But when we're grinding, we all know what it is."
That message has resonated with a retooled defensive front that features several new faces. Carter said the room has flashed collectively through the first stretch of spring ball.
"There's no particular guy who's been standing out," Carter said. "Everybody in the room is putting good things on tape, and we're looking forward to the fall and seeing what they do when the lights come on."
Transfer defensive lineman Dylan Manuel said the tone in the room has been clear from the start.
"It's really fast paced," Manuel said. "Everybody is going hard every play, running to the ball. That's been a big emphasis here."
For Manuel, the goal this spring is simple.
"Stop the run," he said. "That's the main goal. Just stopping the run and earning the right to rush the passer. Just having a great defensive spring."
Manuel said the chemistry among the defensive tackles has come together quickly despite the number of newcomers.
"It's been great just getting to know each other and each other's tendencies and how to play with each other," he said. "Playing with different guys is building the chemistry."
He also praised Carter's leadership style and daily investment in the room.
"He's a great coach, and he's going to be hard on you," Manuel said. "He pushes you 100 percent every day. He wants the best out of you."
Manuel originally arrived in Boulder after being recruited by the previous defensive line coach, but he said the transition has only reinforced the need to adapt.
"It's all about overcoming adversity and how you adapt to it," Manuel said. "Just really getting to know the new coach and changing to it."
His path to Colorado has included stops at Charleston Southern and Appalachian State, each step moving him closer to the level he believed he could reach.
"I was under recruited out of high school," Manuel said. "I always wanted to play at the FBS level, and then I always had a dream of playing at the Power Four level. I just kept taking shots on myself, and now I'm here."
Manuel described his game in direct terms that match what Colorado wants from its front.
"Really just stop the run," he said. "Create knockback, let the linebackers come down and make the play, or I make the play. Really helping the linebackers out and creating free gaps for them."
Transfer defensive lineman Santana Hopper has taken a similar approach. Hopper, who has earned all-conference recognition at each of his last two stops, said the move to Boulder has required adjustment both on and off the field.
"Coming from somewhere like New Orleans to Boulder, it's very different," Hopper said. "And then the football part is also different. Up here in the mountains, you've got to get adjusted to the altitude and stuff like that. It's been a lot of different things, but it's been very good."
Like Manuel, Hopper is on his third team in three years, but said movement across college football has made adaptability essential.
"In football now, transfer portal, people are in and out of systems all the time," Hopper said. "You've just got to be able to adapt and be ready for what comes to you."
Hopper said Colorado's message during the recruiting process centered on his physical style of play.
"They liked the way I get to the ball, don't get off blocks and just attack offensive linemen," Hopper said. "They liked the way I play football all around."
The deciding factor, he said, was the opportunity to play for Deion Sanders and within a structure that mirrors the professional level.
"Coach Deion, Coach Prime, the NFL style, the way he runs his program," Hopper said.
Carter has seen Hopper's maturity show up quickly this spring.
"Santana is a grown man," Carter said. "He has a purpose in this, and he plays like it every time he gets out there between those lines. He has a 6-year-old son right now, so that's his purpose. That's his job."
Hopper said fatherhood changed his perspective long before he arrived in Boulder.
"From 11th grade, I knew I had to go get it," Hopper said. "It's not all about you anymore. You've always got to think about someone else besides yourself. That really helps me make great decisions and do what's best for me and him."
Carter said one of the biggest objectives this spring has been evaluating how to best use a room filled with players from different systems and coaching backgrounds.
"That's exactly what it's been," Carter said. "Guys are coming from all over and learned different techniques from different coaches. We've just been evaluating, seeing what everybody can do, what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. Now we'll have a good game plan for when fall comes and how we're going to use everybody in that room."
He added that 15 spring practices are enough to build a better picture, even if early impressions can change.
"You can't always go with the first few practices," Carter said. "You've got to let them get a feel for it. Once that last practice is done, now we know who you are because you had 15 opportunities."
As for the Buffs' effort to improve against the run, Carter said the answer will come through collective planning, flexibility and execution.
"We have a lot of different schemes, a lot of different fronts and a lot of variety of ways that we've come together as a staff to figure out how we're going to stop the run," Carter said. "Y'all are really going to see it when the fall comes."
That mindset has already taken hold among the players up front.
"This is what I've been dreaming for right here," Hopper said. "I haven't gotten to do this on a basis of playing bigger schools, so I know that's what scouts want to see from me, and this is where I'm going to prove it."
The Buffaloes will wrap up spring practice next week, culminating with the annual AT&T Black & Gold Day on April 11.
Fans looking for a first glimpse of the 2026 Colorado Buffaloes can secure tickets now for AT&T Black and Gold Day and experience the team inside Folsom Field.
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are also on sale. Fans are encouraged to lock in their seats for six home games this fall and be part of the pageantry and energy that define one of college football's most unique game day environments.
The offense struck with two long touchdown passes to Quanell Farrakhan Jr., flashing the big play ability that has shown up throughout spring. But the defense settled in as the day went on, limiting explosive plays, disrupting the run game and forcing action behind the line of scrimmage.
For interior defensive line coach Dante Carter, that response reflected exactly what he challenged his group to do.
"It was a great practice," Carter said. "I challenged the guys today to come out and start fast, and they did that. We started striking from the beginning, getting off the ball, playing double-teams really well. I'm proud of the direction we're going."
Carter is stepping into a larger role this spring, and he said the transition has brought both gratitude and responsibility.
"I'm very appreciative and very honored for the opportunity," Carter said. "I want to thank the man above first and thank Coach Prime for believing in me. I know I'm a very young coach, but for him to see that in me and believe I'm the fit for it, I'm very appreciative."
Last season, Carter worked behind the scenes helping prepare players each day. Now he is the voice leading the room.
"I've got to handle everything now," Carter said. "I've got to make sure they're going to class; make sure they're feeling good and make sure everyday operation is up to the standard we hold here."
Despite being close in age to many of his players, Carter said earning their respect has not been an issue.
"When it's time to work, I'm coach, and they understand that," he said. "Outside of football, we can joke around and do all that. But when we're grinding, we all know what it is."
That message has resonated with a retooled defensive front that features several new faces. Carter said the room has flashed collectively through the first stretch of spring ball.
"There's no particular guy who's been standing out," Carter said. "Everybody in the room is putting good things on tape, and we're looking forward to the fall and seeing what they do when the lights come on."
Transfer defensive lineman Dylan Manuel said the tone in the room has been clear from the start.
"It's really fast paced," Manuel said. "Everybody is going hard every play, running to the ball. That's been a big emphasis here."
For Manuel, the goal this spring is simple.
"Stop the run," he said. "That's the main goal. Just stopping the run and earning the right to rush the passer. Just having a great defensive spring."
Manuel said the chemistry among the defensive tackles has come together quickly despite the number of newcomers.
"It's been great just getting to know each other and each other's tendencies and how to play with each other," he said. "Playing with different guys is building the chemistry."
He also praised Carter's leadership style and daily investment in the room.
"He's a great coach, and he's going to be hard on you," Manuel said. "He pushes you 100 percent every day. He wants the best out of you."
Manuel originally arrived in Boulder after being recruited by the previous defensive line coach, but he said the transition has only reinforced the need to adapt.
"It's all about overcoming adversity and how you adapt to it," Manuel said. "Just really getting to know the new coach and changing to it."
His path to Colorado has included stops at Charleston Southern and Appalachian State, each step moving him closer to the level he believed he could reach.
"I was under recruited out of high school," Manuel said. "I always wanted to play at the FBS level, and then I always had a dream of playing at the Power Four level. I just kept taking shots on myself, and now I'm here."
Manuel described his game in direct terms that match what Colorado wants from its front.
"Really just stop the run," he said. "Create knockback, let the linebackers come down and make the play, or I make the play. Really helping the linebackers out and creating free gaps for them."
Transfer defensive lineman Santana Hopper has taken a similar approach. Hopper, who has earned all-conference recognition at each of his last two stops, said the move to Boulder has required adjustment both on and off the field.
"Coming from somewhere like New Orleans to Boulder, it's very different," Hopper said. "And then the football part is also different. Up here in the mountains, you've got to get adjusted to the altitude and stuff like that. It's been a lot of different things, but it's been very good."
Like Manuel, Hopper is on his third team in three years, but said movement across college football has made adaptability essential.
"In football now, transfer portal, people are in and out of systems all the time," Hopper said. "You've just got to be able to adapt and be ready for what comes to you."
Hopper said Colorado's message during the recruiting process centered on his physical style of play.
"They liked the way I get to the ball, don't get off blocks and just attack offensive linemen," Hopper said. "They liked the way I play football all around."
The deciding factor, he said, was the opportunity to play for Deion Sanders and within a structure that mirrors the professional level.
"Coach Deion, Coach Prime, the NFL style, the way he runs his program," Hopper said.
Carter has seen Hopper's maturity show up quickly this spring.
"Santana is a grown man," Carter said. "He has a purpose in this, and he plays like it every time he gets out there between those lines. He has a 6-year-old son right now, so that's his purpose. That's his job."
Hopper said fatherhood changed his perspective long before he arrived in Boulder.
"From 11th grade, I knew I had to go get it," Hopper said. "It's not all about you anymore. You've always got to think about someone else besides yourself. That really helps me make great decisions and do what's best for me and him."
Carter said one of the biggest objectives this spring has been evaluating how to best use a room filled with players from different systems and coaching backgrounds.
"That's exactly what it's been," Carter said. "Guys are coming from all over and learned different techniques from different coaches. We've just been evaluating, seeing what everybody can do, what their strengths are and what their weaknesses are. Now we'll have a good game plan for when fall comes and how we're going to use everybody in that room."
He added that 15 spring practices are enough to build a better picture, even if early impressions can change.
"You can't always go with the first few practices," Carter said. "You've got to let them get a feel for it. Once that last practice is done, now we know who you are because you had 15 opportunities."
As for the Buffs' effort to improve against the run, Carter said the answer will come through collective planning, flexibility and execution.
"We have a lot of different schemes, a lot of different fronts and a lot of variety of ways that we've come together as a staff to figure out how we're going to stop the run," Carter said. "Y'all are really going to see it when the fall comes."
That mindset has already taken hold among the players up front.
"This is what I've been dreaming for right here," Hopper said. "I haven't gotten to do this on a basis of playing bigger schools, so I know that's what scouts want to see from me, and this is where I'm going to prove it."
The Buffaloes will wrap up spring practice next week, culminating with the annual AT&T Black & Gold Day on April 11.
Fans looking for a first glimpse of the 2026 Colorado Buffaloes can secure tickets now for AT&T Black and Gold Day and experience the team inside Folsom Field.
Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are also on sale. Fans are encouraged to lock in their seats for six home games this fall and be part of the pageantry and energy that define one of college football's most unique game day environments.
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