Gideon Lampron giving Colorado football a steady defensive presence

Colorado football linebacker Gideon Lampron made one of the Buffaloes' biggest defensive plays Saturday, stopping Texas Tech running back Quinten Joyner for no gain on fourth-and-one at Colorado's 7-yard line. The second-quarter stand preserved Colorado's 7-3 lead during an eventual 29-7 loss at Folsom Field.

With Tyler Martinez sidelined by a lower-leg injury, Lampron's experience has become increasingly valuable to defensive coordinator Chris Marve. The fifth-year transfer is now third in the Big 12 in tackles with 38, including 3.5 tackles for loss.

Lampron answers in critical situations

The goal-line stop showed Lampron's ability to diagnose a run and meet the ball carrier before Texas Tech could collect the yard they needed. He delivered another important play in the third quarter, making a tackle for a 5-yard loss after a Colorado interception handed the Red Raiders possession at the CU 31. Texas Tech settled for a field goal on that drive.

Those stops helped keep Colorado competitive as the defense repeatedly faced difficult field position, and they offered another example of the dependable run defense Lampron brings to an already depleted linebacker group.

Big 12 leaders in tackles:

1. Sullivan Schlimgen – Iowa State (46)
2. Randon Fontenette – Colorado (39)
3. Gideon ESPN Lampron – Colorado (38) pic.twitter.com/hTss5LJ9Ga

— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) October 6, 2026

An unusual route to Boulder

Lampron's Colorado opportunity began with an introduction to Deion Sanders aboard a December flight from Dallas to Cleveland. After Lampron expressed interest in joining the Buffaloes, Sanders asked him to send his film, setting the transfer process in motion.

His resume already includes first-team FCS All-America honors at Dayton in 2024 and a 119-tackle season at Bowling Green in 2025, when he also recorded 17.5 tackles for loss.

"Gideon has exceeded expectations," Sanders said in August. "Gideon is not just a dawg; he’s a bona fide leader."

Saturday's key stops supplied more evidence of that assessment, and he gives Colorado a veteran presence they desperately need as the linebacker rotation adjusts around Martinez's absence.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Gideon Lampron giving Colorado football a steady defensive presence