Colorado University Athletics
Seven Named To Phil Steele All-Big 12 Preseason Teams
June 09, 2026 | Football
BOULDER — Seven Colorado football players were named to Phil Steele's All-Big 12 preseason teams as part of the publication's annual College Football Preview magazine.
Sophomore return specialist Quentin Gibson highlighted the group, earning first-team honors. Newcomers WR Danny Scudero Jr. and LB Gideon ESPN Lampron were named to the second team, while WR Kam Perry was selected to the third team. OL Leon Bell, TE Zach Atkins and DL Ezra Christensen rounded out the Buffaloes' selections on the fourth team.
Gibson was named the 2025 Freshman Special Teams Player of the Year and was selected to the 25th Anniversary Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America as a return specialist. He led all true freshmen with 626 total return yards between kickoff and punt returns, averaging 23.9 yards per return.
Scudero arrived in Boulder after a breakout season with San Jose State in which he started 12 games and recorded 88 receptions for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned multiple All-America honors and first-team All-Mountain West recognition after leading the nation in receiving yards during the 2025 season. He recorded a career-high 215 receiving yards against Hawai'i.
Lampron's path to Colorado began with a chance encounter with Coach Prime in an airport. He arrived in Boulder after totaling 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for Bowling Green. He was the only player in the nation to finish the regular season with at least 100 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Lampron earned first-team All-MAC honors and Phil Steele honorable mention All-America recognition.
Perry earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2025 after finishing the season with 43 receptions for 976 yards and six touchdowns at Miami (Ohio). He recorded at least 75 receiving yards in eight games, including four 100-yard performances.
Bell played in 11 games and started eight at Cal, helping pave the way for Kendrick Raphael's 943 rushing yards.
Atkins appeared in all 12 games last season, starting seven, including the final five for the Buffs. He finished fourth on the team with 20 receptions for 149 yards and ranked among the top 20 tight ends in the Big 12 in receptions and receiving yards.
Christensen appeared in 11 games during the 2025 season at New Mexico State, totaling 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and one forced fumble. He recorded at least one tackle for loss in six games and delivered multiple disruptive performances, including two-sack efforts against Tulsa and Liberty. His 11 tackles for loss accounted for 52 yards, while his six sacks resulted in 40 yards lost.
Several Buffs were also featured in Phil Steele's national position rankings. Scudero ranked No. 22 and DeAndre Moore Jr. ranked No. 45 on the top 75 wide receivers list. DL Santana Hopper ranked No. 35 among defensive linemen, while C Demetrius Hunter ranked No. 40 at center. P Damon Greaves ranked No. 22 among the top 26 punters. Boo Carter ranked No. 19 and Naeten Mitchell ranked No. 60 among cornerbacks, while Liona Lefau ranked No. 37 and Lampron ranked No. 52 among inside linebackers.
Sophomore return specialist Quentin Gibson highlighted the group, earning first-team honors. Newcomers WR Danny Scudero Jr. and LB Gideon ESPN Lampron were named to the second team, while WR Kam Perry was selected to the third team. OL Leon Bell, TE Zach Atkins and DL Ezra Christensen rounded out the Buffaloes' selections on the fourth team.
Gibson was named the 2025 Freshman Special Teams Player of the Year and was selected to the 25th Anniversary Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America as a return specialist. He led all true freshmen with 626 total return yards between kickoff and punt returns, averaging 23.9 yards per return.
Scudero arrived in Boulder after a breakout season with San Jose State in which he started 12 games and recorded 88 receptions for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns. He earned multiple All-America honors and first-team All-Mountain West recognition after leading the nation in receiving yards during the 2025 season. He recorded a career-high 215 receiving yards against Hawai'i.
Lampron's path to Colorado began with a chance encounter with Coach Prime in an airport. He arrived in Boulder after totaling 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles for Bowling Green. He was the only player in the nation to finish the regular season with at least 100 tackles and 15 tackles for loss. Lampron earned first-team All-MAC honors and Phil Steele honorable mention All-America recognition.
Perry earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2025 after finishing the season with 43 receptions for 976 yards and six touchdowns at Miami (Ohio). He recorded at least 75 receiving yards in eight games, including four 100-yard performances.
Bell played in 11 games and started eight at Cal, helping pave the way for Kendrick Raphael's 943 rushing yards.
Atkins appeared in all 12 games last season, starting seven, including the final five for the Buffs. He finished fourth on the team with 20 receptions for 149 yards and ranked among the top 20 tight ends in the Big 12 in receptions and receiving yards.
Christensen appeared in 11 games during the 2025 season at New Mexico State, totaling 42 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks and one forced fumble. He recorded at least one tackle for loss in six games and delivered multiple disruptive performances, including two-sack efforts against Tulsa and Liberty. His 11 tackles for loss accounted for 52 yards, while his six sacks resulted in 40 yards lost.
Several Buffs were also featured in Phil Steele's national position rankings. Scudero ranked No. 22 and DeAndre Moore Jr. ranked No. 45 on the top 75 wide receivers list. DL Santana Hopper ranked No. 35 among defensive linemen, while C Demetrius Hunter ranked No. 40 at center. P Damon Greaves ranked No. 22 among the top 26 punters. Boo Carter ranked No. 19 and Naeten Mitchell ranked No. 60 among cornerbacks, while Liona Lefau ranked No. 37 and Lampron ranked No. 52 among inside linebackers.
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