The Colorado football team kicked off the 2026 season with a narrative-changing win.
On the road as 6.5-point underdogs, the Buffs knocked off Georgia Tech thanks to some fourth-quarter heroics and special individual performances. Most of the country already knew about Julian Lewis and Boo Carter, who were key to Colorado starting off 1-0.
Here’s a look at a few other Colorado football players who broke out in Week 1 vs. Georgia Tech:
DE Lamont Lester Jr.
It’s hard to understate just how impressive Lester Jr.’s Power 4 debut for the Colorado football team was. The Monmouth transfer was virtually unblockable, racking up three sacks and 3.5 TFLs on just 12 pass-rush snaps.
Lester Jr. finished the game with five tackles (four solo) and put himself on NFL Draft boards in the process. The redshirt sophomore still has three years of eligibility left, too.
OL Chauncey Gooden
Gooden’s first career start for the Colorado football team went exactly how he would’ve wanted it to go. The Buffs‘ starting left guard played 67 offensive snaps, mauling Yellow Jackets in the run game and posting the second-highest pass-blocking grade on the team (84.7), according to Pro Football Focus.
Gooden also doubled as a nose tackle, playing eight impactful snaps on defense and helping the Colorado football team hold Georgia Tech to just 51 rushing yards. His two-way ability instantly makes him one of the Buffs’ most versatile and valuable players. He’s also just a sophomore with star potential.
“Chauncey (Gooden) is an unbelievable athlete,” Deion Sanders said postgame. “He is a dog out there. When you see some of his cut-ups from the game of what he did offensively to them, you’ll understand why I allow him to play defense.
“That was our deal. You’re not gonna play defense unless you’re whooping the guy in front of you on offense and he was. When he got in there on defense, he did his job.”
OL Jayvon McFadden
It should make Colorado football fans smile to see two offensive linemen on this list. McFadden also made his first career start in Week 1 and didn’t disappoint. The Ohio State transfer was the Buffs’ highest-graded pass blocker (87.1) vs. Georgia Tech and didn’t allow a pressure or a sack while playing a team-high 78 snaps, according to PFF.
McFadden emerged as a starter during fall camp and has the makings of a future pro. Also a sophomore, he and Gooden give the Colorado football team an uber-talented guard duo that’s just scratching the surface of their ceiling.
RB Micah Welch
Welch was arguably the biggest beneficiary of Gooden’s and McFadden’s dominant performances. The junior RB’s physicality set the tone early on for the Colorado football team as he rushed for 58 yards on 4.5 YPC.
Four consecutive runs by Welch culminated in a five-yard rushing TD to give the Buffs a first-quarter lead. It was proof that Colorado OC Brennan Marion trusts Welch and will go with the hot hand. Damian Henderson II (65 yards on 5.4 YPC) and the Buffs’ other RBs were also impressive.
S Randon Fontenette
Randon Fontenette looked like he was born to wear No. 7 for the Buffs in his Colorado football debut. The Vanderbilt transfer was all over the field vs. Georgia Tech, racking up a team-high eight tackles (three solo) and a TFL. Fontenette was deployed on blitzes and inflicted pain nearly every time he made contact with a ball carrier.
He’s another tone setter who gives the Buffs’ defense the physical identity DC Chris Marve has been looking for. Fontenette will hear his name called during the 2027 NFL Draft if he continues to play at this level.
Follow Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Scott Procter on X.
