Colorado linebacker named to prestigious player of the year watchlist

The Colorado Buffaloes' linebacker core was completely revamped this offseason with Deion Sanders' staff adding three starting-caliber linebackers from the transfer portal. All three have had impressive fall camps, with two making the Butkus Award watch list and the other, Tyler Martinez, recently named to the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year watch list.

Martinez, a New Mexico State transfer, missed most of the 2025 season with an injury, but in the four games he played, he totaled 27 total tackles, four pass breakups, one tackle for loss, one interception and a forced fumble. He showed impressive playmaking ability in limited action, and Colorado hopes he can find that form in 2026.

The award was established only in 2025, with the founding of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. The inaugural recipient was Indiana's Fernando Mendoza.

Other players to make the preseason watch list include Mendoza's brother Alberto, who the Buffaloes are likely to face as Georgia Tech's presumptive starting quarterback. Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas and Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. are other stars on the list.

"Hispanic athletes are driving the future of college football, and this watchlist ensures their extraordinary achievements get the national spotlight they've earned," said Ron Rivera, HFHOF founding member and former NFL coach, via a press release. "Their stories bring great pride to our community."

Vamos! 💪

Tyler Martinez has been named to the Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Watchlist@tvler_1 x #GoBuffspic.twitter.com/Fp4vDxKHkF

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado linebacker named to prestigious player of the year watchlist