Colorado’s defense will graduate 8 starters from the 2016 season. 6-foot-3, 300 pound Defensive End Jordan Carrell, 6-foot-3, 325 pound Defensive Tackle Josh Tupou, 6-foot-4, 295 pound Defensive End Samson Kafovalu, 6-foot-1, 220 pound Linebacker Kenneth Olugbode, 6-foot-5, 230 pound Linebacker Jimmie Gilbert, 6-foot-0, 205 pound Corner Chidobe Awuzie, 6-foot-3, 195 pound Corner Ahkello Witherspoon, and 6-foot-0, 205 pound Safety Tedric Thompson.

More: Hamilton is Set to Enroll at CU | Meet the Early Enrollee: Javier Edwards

Don't Miss: Buffs have ground to make up with 4-star LB | Meet Dante Wigley

Colorado also lost their Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt who took the same position at Oregon as well as Colorado Defensive Backs Coach Charles Clark who followed suit as Leavitt leaving for Oregon following the season.

That’s 10 critical pieces gone from the Colorado Defense that finished 19th in the entire Country allowing just 342.5 yards per game and 21.7 points per game during Colorado’s impressive 10-4 season run. Colorado needs instant starters on defense and they’ll have four junior college transfers ready to fight for starting positions this Spring, today we highlight the four junior college signees.

Wigley a 6-foot-1, 184 pounds 3-Star Prospect out of Holmes Junior College in Goodman, Mississippi will likely start at one of the two corner positions battling with Anthony Julmisse and Nick Fisher.

Our Early Take On Wigley

He’s a corner that can fight off blockers and can make a tackle when needed. Can play man coverage, very aggressive, and he’s a ball-hawk in open space. His tape features several clips of him alone on an island where he jams receivers at the line and also plays the ball very well. Good tackler in open space. The one question we have is regarding his top end speed. He does display what looks to be good overall speed when chasing down the punter on what looks to be a fake punt. Overall, we feel he has the capability talent-wise to make a name for himself during spring ball. Filling the shoes of Witherspoon and Chidobe Awuzie will be no easy task, but Wigley from the looks of it has the tools to contribute right away.

Key Quote

"I'm going to give it everything I've got. I love football. When they see me, they'll know Dante loves the game, is physical, and is a playmaker."

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Full Question And Answer With Wigley Here

Landing a Defensive Tackle was of the up most importance this recruiting calendar and the Buffs turned heads when 6-foot-2, 330 pound Javier Edwards out of Blinn JC committed to Colorado over Arkansas and Ole Miss. Colorado loses 6-foot-3, 325 pound Josh Tupou who started every game this season and there is not a defensive tackle on the roster with the size or ability to fill Tupou’s void until Edwards announced and signed with Colorado.

Our Early Take On Edwards

He’s massive and has been listed at 360 and 350 pounds, most recently he’s been listed at 330 pounds. He’s a run-stopper, will clog up the middle of the field, and has shown a decent swim and rip move to get after the quarterback. His film does show athleticism and there are a few clips that feature him absolutely destroying the quarterback. Once he arrives in mid-January and begins to work out with the team and Strength Coach Drew Wilson, he’s going to find the right body weight to play at which should showcase his natural abilities even more. Could be the biggest commitment for the Buffs.

Key Quote

"I'm looking to play and make a good impact. Hopefully, I can have a good of a season as [Josh] Tupou did, maybe even better."

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Full Question And Answer With Edwards Here

Colorado loses Jordan Carrell and Samson Kafovalu, two well established Colorado Defensive Ends. Chris Mulumba at 6-foot-4, 270 pounds out of Diablo Valley Community College looks to be the incoming JC prospect to step in replace one of the two. He’s a Finnish National Judo Champion, spent a year in the Finnish Army, originally from Helsinki, Finland and is 24-years old.

Our Early Take On Mulumba

This JUCO prospect is intriguing. At Diablo Valley, he played various spots on the DL ranging from the 5 technique (outside shoulder of tackle) to 4 technique (head up on tackle) and even inside as a 3 technique (outside shoulder of guard). His best fit is probably in a 3-4 scheme as a 4 technique with a standup backer to protect him outside. What I like about his skill set is that he gets a great initial punch that sets up his pass rush moves. He shows a good use of his hands to elude blockers on his way to the QB. In the run game, he does a great job of shuffling down, pursuing, and then delivers a good shot when he gets there. His versatility, coachability, and high motor will no doubt add value to him as a DL prospect because he is able to play any spot on the DL (except maybe 1 tech/nose).

Key Quote

"I'm an exciting player to watch," he said. "I'll bring physicality and speed to the defense. I can play multiple positions on the defensive line. It's going to be fun."

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Full Question And Answer With Mulumba Here

ASA Miami JC Transfer Shamar Hamilton is 6-foot-5, 230 pounds and though he played defensive end at the JC level, he could play outside linebacker for the Buffs. When you look at Colorado’s most recent depth chart you see a big void leaving the outside linebacker position in graduating Jimmie Gilbert who led the team in quarterback sacks. Fighting for that OLB starting position will be Terran Hasselbach, Christian Shaver, and Hamilton.

Our Take on Hamilton

Hamilton has the athletic makeup to play outside linebacker and his film displays plenty of athleticism for an athlete of his size. Great use of his hands, very aggressive, good speed, and a very good tackler. He showed this past season that he can chase down a quarterback and also headhunt a shifting running back. He powers off the edge very well and shows throughout his film that he makes quarterbacks rush their throw in trying to avoid his presence.

Key Quote

"I think about everything deeply in my life and I looked where I am currently at. The vibe (in Boulder) is different and it felt completed a 180 over in Denver. It is funny though because the same problems are prevalent in that area. It is a different type of people there. One of my teammates, Greg Bryant, died (during the spring) and that put things into perspective that I want to go somewhere I will be for my four years. They have everything that I need and want. I was on campus during the summer and there were still a bunch of people there."

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Full Question And Answer With Hamilton Here

POLL: Which CU commit are you most excited about?

January 7th - Shamar Hamilton is Set to Enroll at CU

January 6th - Meet the Early Enrollee: Javier Edwards

January 5th - Buffs have ground to make up with 4-star LB

January 5th - Meet the Early Enrollee: Dante Wigley

January 4th - Colorado is one of Barnes' top schools

January 4th - Meet the Early Enrollee: Tyler Lytle

January 4th - New offer: Louisiana DT Shannan Forman

January 3rd - POLL: Which CU commit are you most excited about?

January 3rd - Meet the Early Enrollee: Isaiah Lewis

January 2nd - Meet the Early Enrollee: Jaylon Jackson

January 2nd - VIDEO: Xavier Newman Under Armour Practice Highlights

January 2nd - RECRUITING: Trajon Cotton reacts to coaching changes at CU

January 1st - Sebastian Olver Senior Highlights

January 1st - Alabama LB commit Chris Allen mulling potential visits to LSU, Colorado

January 1st - Video: K.D. Nixon Highlights

December 31st - Recruit Reaction: Buffs fall in the Alamo Bowl