TCU safety transfers to Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes got very lucky with defensive health in 2020, save one for one very unfortunate Nate Landman injury at the end of the year. That was extremely evident at the safety position, where Isaiah Lewis and Derrion Rakestraw were healthy all year and stepped up as unlikely stars in the defense. With Rakestraw moving on to Tulane (Go Green Wave!), Lewis needs a running mate in the defensive backfield. Karl Dorrell and the Buffs signed multiple prep safeties this year, including a familiar face in Trustin Oliver, but there is still an acute need for depth at the position.

Enter Atanza Vongor. However you characterize the Buffs’ depth on defense last year, TCU’s depth was the opposite of that. They were LOADED in the defensive backfield. Vongor, an imposing presence at safety, was stuck between two NFL Draft picks at safety for the Horned Frogs, and after an unexpected redshirt year in 2019 and spot minutes last year, he is seeking greener pastures.

The 6’2 thumper had offers from just about everybody out of high school in Texas, including Alabama. As a prospect, he was raw but showed unreal athleticism and a real nose for the ball. He comes to Boulder with much less established competition for playing time at safety/Buffbacker, with Lewis, Mark Perry and freshmen like Toren Pittman and Trustin Oliver vying for playing time.

Welcome, Atanza!