Colorado football lands run-stuffing linebacker from top SEC program

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Colorado football continued its transfer portal heater Thursday afternoon, landing its first four-star transfer in former Texas Longhorns linebacker Liona Lefau.

Lefau, a native of Hawaii, posted 69 total tackles, three passes defended, one sack and returned a fumble for a touchdown. He started all 11 games in 2025 and has played 41 games, including 21 starts, over his three seasons in Austin. Pro Football Focus gave him a 76.4 run defense grade, which was No. 8 on a talented Texas defense.

Lefau was a four-star recruit coming out of high school in 2023 and ranked as the No. 32 linebacker in the country. He remained a four-star prospect in the transfer portal, and despite two Crystal Ball predictions for fellow Big 12 foe BYU to land the former Longhorn, who opted for the Buffs, perhaps because BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill moved on to Michigan to be Kyle Whittingham’s DC.

247Sports ranks Lefau as the No. 7 linebacker in the transfer portal, signalling the importance of Lefau’s commitment. The Buffs had previously signed two linebackers from the portal in Bowling Green’s Gideon Lampron and New Mexico State’s Tyler Martinez.

Deion Sanders’ squad has also hosted former Pitt linebacker Rasheem Biles on a visit, the No. 2 linebacker in the portal, but he seems to have his eyes on Michigan. The Buffs would seem to have playing time for both Biles and Lefau, especially since Martinez is coming off a season-ending ankle injury. Nevertheless, Lefau is a significant addition for the Buffaloes, who need a completely new front seven.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football transfer news Liona Lefau commitment

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