Believe it or not, nearly half of the Colorado football season is already over.

The Buffs sit at 2-3 entering the bye week after three straight losses but there has been some good, along with some bad and ugly. Talent isn’t the issue on Deion Sanders’ team which is why a few of his players are near the top of many Big 12 statistical categories.

With that in mind, here are the 10 most impressive Colorado football players through five weeks.

1. DL Santana Hopper

Hopper just had one of the best games in Colorado football history. He racked up five TFLs vs. No. 12 Texas Tech in Week 5, the first time a Buff did that in 34 years (Ronnie Woolfork in 1992). The elite performance made Hopper the highest-graded defensive player in the Power 4, according to Pro Football Focus.

Hopper’s 16 total QB pressures (third in Big 12) and four QB hits lead the Colorado football team. He’s a big reason why the Buffs’ defense is playing better than you might think.

2. DE Lamont Lester Jr.

I told people to buy Lamont Lester Jr. stock back in February. Since then, all the Monmouth transfer has done is lead the Big 12 in sacks (four). Lester Jr. had three sacks in the season opener and although he missed Week 5 with an ankle injury, he’s still fourth in the Big 12 in total QB pressures (15).

The third-year player is the Colorado football team’s highest-graded defender (91.2) and pass rusher (92.1). A timely bye week should allow Lester Jr. to come back healthy and continue to improve his NFL draft stock.

3. WR Joseph Williams

Joseph Williams has simply been one of the best receivers in college football this season. He’s caught 32 passes (2nd in Big 12) for 454 yards (3rd in Big 12) and five TDs (1st in Big 12) through five games.

Williams has caught a TD in four straight games and more than half of his yards (254) have come after the catch. He leads the Colorado football team in targets (50) and is by far the Buffs’ best offensive weapon.

4. S Randon Fontenette

Fontenette is a future NFL player and he’s proved that through five games as a Colorado football player. The Vanderbilt transfer leads the Buffs in snaps played (341) and tackles with 42 (2nd in Big 12).

Fontenette has also notched a sack, an INT and two PBUs. He’s a versatile chess piece who can be used as a blitzer, box safety and field safety.

5. OL Chauncey Gooden

Gooden has played the most offensive snaps (340) on the Colorado football team so far this season. He’s the Buffs’ highest-graded run blocker (68.7) on zone schemes and has allowed just one sack.

The 6-foot-3, 360-pounder has also played 16 impactful defensive snaps. Gooden’s breakout as a second-year player has been one of the most impressive developments.

6. DB Boo Carter

Carter started his Colorado football career off with a bang, blocking a Georgia Tech field goal attempt in the season opener as time expired to seal the win. The Tennessee transfer is tied with Fontenette for the team lead in defensive snaps played (341) and he’s second on the team in PBUs (3).

Carter has been the Buffs’ most-targeted DB this season and he’s allowed opposing QBs to complete just 59% of their passes (19/32) when throwing his way. Versatility has been a strength of his as he’s played snaps at cornerback, slot and punt returner. He could hear his name called during the 2027 NFL Draft with a strong finish to the season.

7. DE Toby Anene

Anene and Lester Jr. have formed one of the Big 12’s best pass rushing duos. The North Dakota State transfer’s three sacks so far this season are tied for third in the Big 12 and he now has one in three of the last four games.

Anene’s 11 QB pressures rank third on the Colorado football team and he’s another defender with NFL potential.

8. LB Gideon ESPN Lampron

The Colorado football team badly needed a player like Lampron and he’s been as advertised. His 38 tackles this season rank third in the Big 12 and he leads the Colorado football team in stops (tackles that constitute a failure for the offense). Lampron has also been able to impact the QB, ranking fourth on the Buffs in total pressures (10).

9. RB Micah Welch

Welch is the Colorado football team’s leading rusher (218 yards) and the only non-QB to score a rushing TD for the Buffs this season. The third-year RB is averaging 5.0 yards per carry and became the first 100-yard rusher of the Coach Prime era at Colorado in Week 2. He’s someone that deserves more touches and opportunities, especially after making an acrobatic catch downfield last week vs. Texas Tech.

10. LB Liona Lefau

With fellow LB Tyler Martinez out for the season, Lefau has taken on a larger role. The Texas transfer is the Buffs’ fourth-leading tackler (31) and he has the best tackling grade (80.5) on the Colorado football team. Lefau also boasts the lowest missed tackle rate (7.1%) among qualified Buffs.

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