Colorado football's defensive line embracing depth, potential rotation

Colorado football opened Week 3 of fall camp earlier this week and held media availability on Tuesday, with the defensive line taking center stage.

The defensive line is a major talking point this offseason as the Buffaloes struggled to stop the run and generate a pass rush with last year's group. Deion Sanders and company brought in an entirely different group, hoping to spark a resurgence.

Colorado defensive ends coach George Helow, like the offensive line coaches, emphasized his desire to use a rotation this season.

"We're going to play the best ones," Helow said. " You get what you earn in practice..I'm a big fan that when you coach the defensive line you have to rotate guys."

Rotations are never a bad idea, especially with pass rushers, as a tired edge player usually loses a step or two. CU also has at least six guys that can play, making a rotation even more meaningful.

One of those six is North Dakota State transfer Toby Anene, who says the entire defensive line group understands that only four guys are going to play at one time.

"We have a lot of mature guys that understand that not everyone's going to play," Anene said after Tuesday's practice.

Buy-in is a necessary ingredient for a successful pass rush rotation, but when everyone knows their role, the unit can be harmonious. Anene mentioned Immanuel Izeogu, Domata Peko Jr. and Lamont Lester Jr. as three players who have grown the most during camp.

"The gap between who Helow thinks is the top guy and the last guy is thin," Anene said regarding how close camp battles have been.

Unlike last year when Colorado struggled to find capable pass rushers, there are plenty of options in 2026. Helow's group needs to find a strategy that positions all the different options for success, but the elements are there for a productive outside pass rush.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football's defensive line embracing depth, potential rotation