With a shorthanded edge room against Georgia Tech, Colorado needed someone to step up in a big way. Third-year transfer Lamont Lester Jr. answered the call.
Making his debut for the Buffaloes, Lester’s impact was felt all night, recording three sacks and five tackles (3.5 for loss). His performance earned him Co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors.
“It felt good to get my name out there, and prove myself right and play in front of a big crowd of people,” Lester said.
Coming from Monmouth this offseason, Lester showcased his skills at his previous stop, recording 9.5 sacks in 2025. He just needed the opportunity to showcase it on a bigger stage.
As a self-described “savvy” player, Lester’s ability to play both run and pass makes him a valuable asset for defensive coordinator Chris Marve. In his 4-3 scheme, elite edge play is essential for the pass rush.
The Buffs struggled tremendously to stop the run in 2025, but now have players committed to do the job. After limiting the Yellow Jackets to just 51 rushing yards, Lester believes the Buffs have the recipe to keep up the pressure.
“The mindset for the whole defense, not just the D-line, is something we preach every day,” Lester said. “ Coach Marve does a good job; it's violence and aggression, playing fast, physical, smart and relentless effort. That's what we're going to keep doing throughout the whole year.”
Earning Big 12 Defensive Line of the Week honors, Colorado’s trenches have a new swagger to them. Edges Manuel Ezeogu and Vili Taufatofua did not even play in the game, meaning they have yet to tap into their full potential.
Lester feels that they will only get better as the season goes on.
“Everybody in the room is elite at what they do,” Lester said. “Not everybody has the same play style: from somebody you might get speed, from another person you might get power…If we keep getting better, then we're gonna be a really elite group down the stretch.”
As for his individual performance, there is now an expectation for Lester to continue dominating. With his name on the radar, teams will focus on him and have a game plan to limit him. He’s approaching everything with the same mentality.
“Something I go by is no rat poison, meaning don't let the internet or stuff like that get to your head,” Lester said. “Always stay level-headed, and just go to work, really.”
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