Transfer Santana Hopper Brings Playoff Experience, Fatherly Motivation to Colorado

After a College Football Playoff appearance with Tulane, defensive lineman Santana Hopper hopes to lead the Colorado Buffaloes to new heights.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:37pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, abstract painting depicting a defensive lineman making a powerful tackle, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in the Colorado Buffaloes' official colors of gold, black, and silver, conveying the raw energy and intensity of the sport.Santana Hopper's relentless style of play will be a key asset for the Colorado Buffaloes' defense as they aim to build on their recent College Football Playoff appearance.Shelby Today

Defensive lineman Santana Hopper, a transfer from Tulane, is joining the Colorado Buffaloes with the goal of building on his recent College Football Playoff experience and becoming a leader on the team. Hopper, who has a young son, is driven to succeed both on the field and off, using his family as motivation to perform at a high level.

Why it matters

Hopper's addition to the Colorado defensive line brings valuable playoff experience and a mature, focused mindset to the Buffaloes, who are looking to build on their own CFP appearance. His leadership and example could inspire his new teammates to reach new heights, while his personal story of balancing football and fatherhood resonates with fans.

The details

Hopper, a native of Shelby, North Carolina, started his college career at Appalachian State, where he was an All-Sun Belt selection in 2024 after recording 5 sacks. He then transferred to Tulane, where he earned All-AAC honors in 2025 after ranking third on the team with 4.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Tulane won the AAC championship that year and earned a CFP bid, though they were blown out by Ole Miss in the first round. Hopper could have stayed at Tulane, but he wanted to bring his playoff experience to a Power Five program, ultimately choosing Colorado and coach Deion Sanders.

  • Hopper earned All-Sun Belt honors at Appalachian State in 2024.
  • In 2025, Hopper was an All-AAC selection at Tulane, helping the Green Wave reach the College Football Playoff.
  • Hopper announced his transfer to Colorado in January 2026.

The players

Santana Hopper

A 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive lineman who has earned all-conference honors at both Appalachian State and Tulane. Hopper is now transferring to Colorado, where he hopes to use his playoff experience to help the Buffaloes reach new heights.

Deion Sanders

The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes, who is looking to build on the team's recent College Football Playoff appearance by adding talented transfers like Hopper to the roster.

Dante Carter

The defensive line coach at Colorado, who has praised Hopper's maturity and focus, noting that the senior defensive lineman plays with a purpose due to his young son.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Just getting there wasn't enough. I've seen things, different styles of football and things like that, so with my other teammates I can explain, tell them how it was ... That was a good experience for me, so I can help pour into other people.”

— Santana Hopper, Defensive Lineman, Colorado Buffaloes

“Santana's a grown man. He has a purpose in this, and he plays like it. Every time he gets out there in between those lines, you can tell he's doing this for a reason. He has a six-year-old son right now, so that's his purpose, that's his drive.”

— Dante Carter, Defensive Line Coach, Colorado Buffaloes

“From 11th grade, I knew I had to go get it. When it's not all about you anymore, it's just different, how you handle yourself and how you approach different things. You've always got to think about someone else besides yourself, so that really helps me make great decisions and do what's best for me and him.”

— Santana Hopper, Defensive Lineman, Colorado Buffaloes

What’s next

Hopper will look to make an immediate impact on the Colorado defensive line when the Buffaloes open their 2026 season against rival Colorado State on September 6.

The takeaway

Santana Hopper's addition to the Colorado Buffaloes brings a mature, focused mindset and valuable playoff experience to a team looking to build on its recent success. His drive to succeed for his young son serves as an inspiring example of balancing football and fatherhood, which could resonate with Buffaloes fans and teammates alike.