After finishing 9-4 in 2024 and posting one of the most improved seasons in program history, the Colorado Buffaloes have been aggressive this offseason by beefing up the defensive line through the transfer portal.
Coach Prime brought in three experienced trench warriors: Jehiem Oatis (Alabama), Tavian Coleman (Texas State), and Gavriel Lightfoot (Fresno State). Combined, they bring 70 career starts, 197 tackles, and a much-needed physical edge to a defensive front that, while improved, still gave up 151.4 rushing yards per game last year.
Let’s break down what each of these new additions could mean for Colorado’s defense in 2025.
Jehiem Oatis
Jehiem Oatis, a 6-foot-5, 328-pound nose tackle from Alabama, brings SEC-caliber size and coaching to Boulder. He’s not just a rotational guy as he started games at Alabama and played under Nick Saban, learning the fundamentals of high-level defensive football.
Colorado gave up over 4.6 yards per rush last season, and Oatis could be the man to plug that hole up front. With a wide frame and serious strength, he’s a true space-eater and a likely anchor at nose tackle in CU’s 4-2-5 base scheme.
Tavian Coleman
Coleman is arguably the most underrated addition to the defense. A 6-foot-1, 300-pound grad transfer, Coleman started 26 games over two seasons at Texas State and had prior experience at Utah State and Trinity Valley CC. In 2024 alone, he posted 26 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
Colorado’s defense led the Big 12 in producing 43 sacks and 243 yards lost via sacks in 2024, but a chunk of that came from the edge. Interior pressure was still inconsistent.
Coleman brings interior disruption. He finished second on his team in sacks last year and has blocked multiple kicks in his career. He also adds serious veteran leadership to a locker room that’s still forming its new identity under Coach Prime.
Gavriel Lightfoot
At 6-foot-3, 310 pounds, Lightfoot isn’t a household name, but his film shows a steady presence in the middle of Fresno State’s defense. He started 27 games over three years and was once the youngest player in the FBS to start on the interior line as a 17-year-old freshman.
In his final year at Fresno, Lightfoot recorded 37 tackles and 1.5 TFLs, and his career totals include 66 tackles and five tackles for loss. He may not flash on tape like Oatis or Coleman, but he plays his role well and will be a vital part of Colorado’s two-deep.
What this trio means for Colorado’s 2025 defense
Statistically, the Buffs defense took a step forward in 2024. They held opponents to just 23.08 points per game, a marked improvement from 2023. They also created more turnovers (15 interceptions vs. 10 in 2023) and allowed just 5.1 yards per play compared to 6.7 the year prior.
Still, they got worn down in the run game—opponents rushed 509 times for nearly 2,000 yards. That’s where this trio matters most.
These guys are seasoned veterans who can command double teams, free up linebackers, and collapse the pocket. That will allow guys like Arden Walker, Samuel Okunlola, and Reginald Hughes to fly off the edge with more consistency and aggression.
If the Buffs want to compete in the Big 12 again, they need to win the line of scrimmage. And now, finally, they might have the dudes to do it.
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