NMSU loses another defensive starter to Colorado, this time on the DL
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Colorado is becoming the new Vanderbilt for New Mexico State players.
Just as Aggies became Commodores after the 2023 season, they’re becoming Buffaloes after the 2025 season. Defensive lineman Ezra Christensen is the latest to join the bunch, having announced his transfer to the Big 12 program on Friday, Jan. 9.
Buffs nation let’s ride pic.twitter.com/8x8P1dtQHE
— Ezra Christensen (@EzraChristense5) January 10, 2026
Christensen joins safety Naeten Mitchell and linebacker Tyler Martinez as players to have transferred from NM State to CU in this year’s transfer portal cycle. If all three start in 2026, the Buffaloes will have at least one former Aggie at each level of their defense.
Christensen transferred to NM State from Fresno State in 2025 and was one of the latest arrivals to the team after being added to the roster in July of that year. Despite having limited time to adjust to Las Cruces and learn schemes, Christensen showed out for the Aggies and became their sack leader with six.
He also led NM State with 10 quarterback hits and tallied 42 total tackles, 11 of which were for a loss, which also led the team. Christensen led the Aggies in multiple categories despite playing only 11 games, missing the contest against Western Kentucky last November due to injuries.
Christensen received plenty of honors for his performances after the season, including a first-team All-Conference USA selection and a Group of Five All-American honor from HERO Sports. He was also named a first-team All-American for the entire FBS by PFSN, becoming the first NM State player to be named a first-team All-American by any organization since running back Pervis Atkins received one from the Associated Press in 1960.
Christensen received plenty of attention from power conference programs after the portal officially opened on Jan. 2. Baylor, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Auburn, Wisconsin, Virginia, Washington, UCF, Minnesota, Kentucky and Duke were all among the teams to throw their names in the hat for his services. But the Buffaloes won out.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Ezra Christensen becomes 3rd player to leave NMSU for Colorado
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