Santana Hopper earns elite PFF grade after dominant Texas Tech game

The Colorado Buffaloes' defense has been the lone bright spot on a 2-3 football team that has lost three straight games. Its performance against Texas Tech was arguably its most impressive of the season, as the Buffs racked up 12 tackles for a loss, 5.5 of them coming from Santana Hopper, who is off to a fantastic start in his final collegiate season.

Hopper's performance earned him Pro Football Focus's highest grade for a defensive player in the Power Four (90.4). Hopper recorded 10 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and six quarterback pressures. It was one of the most dominant performances from an interior defensive lineman in Colorado history.

The Tulane transfer consistently won his one-on-one matchup and was in the backfield in a hurry. Hopper now has 18 total tackles, a Big 12-leading 9.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He is firmly moving up NFL draft boards heading into Week 6.

Santana dominated the trenches ‼️@SantanaHop29 x #GoBuffspic.twitter.com/gAUQ0E97SE

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) October 6, 2026

If Colorado gets anything from its offense, the defense, especially the defensive line led by Hopper, is good enough to compete in the Big 12. Still, so far the offense has struggled mightily to put points on the board, averaging a dismal 10.2 points per game against Power Four opponents.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Santana Hopper earns elite PFF grade after dominant Texas Tech game