The Colorado Buffaloes snag yet another valuable defensive recruit to bolster their roster with the addition of Vanderbilt safety Randon Fontenette.
BREAKING: Vanderbilt transfer safety Randon Fontenette has Committed to Colorado, he tells @On3sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 12, 2026
He’s totaled 124 tackles, 13 PD, 3.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT, and 1 TD through 2 seasons
Will have 1 year of eligibility lefthttps://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/fO1GWctNBD
Fontenette was a defensive captain this past season for the Commodores, finishing the year with 52 tackles, one forced fumble, and six pass deflections.
Vanderbilt didn't make the College Football Playoff, but participated in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Iowa, falling to the Hawkeyes by the final score of 34-27.
Fontenette collected three tackles in the loss.
When Carter Stoutmire slipped into the portal Saturday afternoon, the writing was clearly on the wall—a move was coming, and nobody should be surprised, especially with the chatter regarding Fontenette over the past week or so.
Fontenette, rated as a four-star recruit coming out of high school, spending his freshman year on TCU's roster before ultimately finding his home at Vanderbilt for his sophomore and junior campaigns.
He fielded offers from prestigious schools including Texas Tech, Utah, USC and others.
The native of Freeport, Texas will have one year of eligibility remaining as he eyes a prominent role on Colorado's retooled defense.
His stellar 2024 season yielded 73 tackles, eight for loss, and a team-leading eight pass break-ups. His game-changing pick-six proved decisive in Vandy's upset over top-ranked Alabama.
In other news, Colorado secured two more commits to their roster with quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne and defensive lineman Sedrick Smith.
2026 QB Sweetwyne, formerly committed to NC State and BYU, threw for over 3,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in his senior year of high school for Skyridge (Utah).
Smith, a Maryland transfer, adds depth to the rebuilt defensive line. In his stint with the Terps last season, he suited up for seven games and managed to rack up seven tackles during his limited action.
Smith had a breakout freshman year with Alabama A&M before transferring to Maryland. The defensive lineman posted 20 tackles and one sack for the Bulldogs.