Naeten Mitchell is a defensive back for the Colorado Buffaloes who, according to a June 26, 2026, announcement from University of Colorado Athletics, was selected to represent the program at the 2026 Monster Energy Big 12 Football Media Days. This event was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
As a member of the Buffaloes roster, Mitchell was joined by head coach Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders and several other student-athletes for the two-day conference event. The group included quarterback Julian Lewis, wide receiver Danny Scudero, tight end Zach Atkins, and defensive backs Ben Finneseth and Cree Thomas. According to an undated document from University of Colorado Athletics, the media days are designed to bring together head coaches and student-athletes from across the Big 12 to allow the league to unofficially turn the page toward the 2026 football season.
Mitchell joined the Colorado program following a three-season tenure at New Mexico State. During his time with the Aggies, he appeared in 23 games and recorded 12 starts. His defensive statistics from that period include a total of 102 tackles, 65 unassisted tackles, nine pass breakups, four forced fumbles, three interceptions, and 1.5 tackles for loss, as noted in a June 26, 2026, University of Colorado Athletics release.
As of the June 26, 2026, announcement, the Buffaloes' media schedule for the first day of the event included appearances with various national outlets and media platforms, such as ESPN2, Big 12 Studios, TNT/Bleacher Report, FOX, and The Athletic. The media days serve as a platform for the program's student-athletes to engage with the public and media members. While the event was scheduled for early July, the 2026 season itself is set to begin on Thursday, Sept. 3, on the road against Georgia Tech, followed by a home opener on Saturday, Sept. 12, against Weber State.
Mitchell's presence at the media days highlights the depth of the Colorado secondary. He joins a group that includes veteran leader Ben Finneseth, who, according to the June 26, 2026, University of Colorado Athletics release, had appeared in 28 career games at Colorado. The 2026 season follows a period of significant transition for the program, which includes a schedule that features high-profile opponents such as No. 11 Utah. According to a Boulder Weekly article published on Oct. 16, 2026, the team's performance throughout the season is a focal point for the community as the program navigates the challenges of the Big 12 conference.
What this means for Boulder
For Boulder residents and fans, Mitchell's addition to the roster provides the Buffaloes with a veteran defensive presence from his time at New Mexico State. His participation in the 2026 media days provided visibility for the program's defensive unit as the team prepared for a highly anticipated 2026 season and a challenging Big 12 schedule.
