BOULDER — Lamont Lester Jr. hopes his Colorado debut was just the beginning.

After two years of FCS Monmouth, the New Jersey native made a splash to start what could be a three-year run with the Buffaloes, with three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and five total tackles in a season-opening win at Georgia Tech.

Lester was named the national defensive player of the week by the Walter Camp Foundation, the fourth player in program history a Walter Camp weekly honor and the first since Shedeur Sanders in 2023. Lester was also named Big 12 co-defensive player of the week.

Q: What was your feeling of your Week 1 performance?

A: It felt good to get my name out there and prove myself and play in front of a big crowd of people.

Q: What was the reaction you gotfrom friends, family, whomever?

A: You know how it goes. ‘Good game’ this, ‘good game’ that. (I was) taking it all in. I got a lot of (direct messages) and follows (on social media) and stuff like that. It was cool. It was a nice experience, but we’re on to the next (game).

Q: How would you describe the effort in stopping the Georgia Tech run game?

A: Our coaches always talk about (the mindset of) it’s not about them, it’s about us. We just need to go out and do our job, be assignment-sound and we’ll get the job done.

Q: What are some of the keys to staying level-headed after a big performance?

A: Something I go by is ‘no rat poison.’ Meaning, don’t let the internet or stuff like that get to your head. Always stay level-headed and just go to work, really.

Q: What was your experience at Monmouth like?

A: Monmouth was great. I learned a lot over there. (Defensive line) coach Codey Cole from Monmouth is probably one of my favorite ‘d-line’ coaches (I’ve had).

Q: How did your 2025 season at Monmouth boost your confidence?

A: My confidence has been up. I’ve had confidence since first grade playing football. (At) Monmouth, I got better. (Transferring to) Colorado, it was just God’s plan. It fell into my hands, I took the opportunity and here we are. 

Q: How would you describe your own game?

A: I feel like I’m a savvy player. I do what I gotta do to get in there.

Q: How much does your wrestling background from high school help you today?

A: I actually wrestled so I could be better at football. I kinda took it as a challenge because wrestling is different (from) a lot of other sports. A guy could be smaller than you and his technique is right and he’ll whoop your butt. It was just kinda the technique thing, getting that done and it translated well to football.

Q: Describe your experience in Boulder so far.

A: Living in Boulder, it’s different from where I come from. I come from New Jersey, so seeing the mountains and being up here with the altitude, it’s different but it’s something you’ve been used to. The community has been great. I go to a store, BOVA’s, to get a bacon, egg and cheese (sandwich) to make me feel like I’m at home. They hooked me up over there.

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King’s Players to Watch

Colorado: RB JaQuail Smith, S Randon Fontenette

One of five running backs to play in Week 1, Smith was one of three with double-digit carries. He flashed real ability to make the most of the space in front of him and find some where there wasn’t. The Sacramento State transfer could be in for a big touchdown run this week. On defense, Fontenette showcased why he was a starter last season in the SEC, running downhill to make big hits in the backfield and he’ll play a big role in CU’s run-stopping effort again.

Weber State: WR Noah Kjar, LB Teni Worthen

One of two sons of coach Eric Kjar on the Wildcats, Noah has had a big start to his junior season after sustaining a season-ending injury early in the 2025 campaign. In a pair of high-scoring games, Kjar has totaled 15 catches for 264 yards and four touchdowns already. He’ll be someone the Buffs will have to keep an eye on all afternoon. Defensively, Worthen is the leading tackler for a unit that has struggled through the first two weeks, but he’s a player who could find his way making plays behind the line of scrimmage against CU.