Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston spent the early part of spring football getting to know his new players.

“It was almost like that scene from the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ where he’s standing in the room, looking around like, ‘Hey where did everybody go?’” Livingston joked Tuesday after the Buffaloes completed the 13th of 15 spring practices. “We took the first six practices and just wanted to see what we had. Then for the rest of the way, trying to highlight those guys and see exactly what they can do.”

Among the 10 defensive players who were on the field for the most snaps in 2024, seven are gone. Overall, eight of the 12 players that started more than three games are gone. The process of filling those holes is well underway, but it’s also a long way from complete as the Buffs wrap up spring ball on Saturday with the Black & Gold game (2:30 p.m., ESPN2).

“I think we’re looking for consistency,” Livingston said. “When you go against your offense (in practice), you’re either great or you stink. There’s nothing in between. So yeah, it’s been some really good days, some days that struggle. So just looking for consistency, both as a defense overall, as well as players.”

Consistency is tough during the spring, especially when some of the players who will impact the team in the fall aren’t here. Injuries are also an issue at times, and the Buffs have been without some key players this spring.

“Obviously, a bunch of injuries that happen in the spring,” Livingston said. “So we’re just trying to get 11 out there sometimes. Excited for the rest of the week, Saturday, and kind of see where it goes.”Livingston said it “changes by week” who steps up on the defense, but there are some returning veterans he’s leaned on this spring.

“Some of the guys that have come back have done a great job,” he said.

“I can’t say enough about (defensive end) Arden Walker. We talked about him taking more of a leadership role. He’s done great. (Safety) Ben Finneseth has been given a role and really run with it; a guy that this program means a lot to him, and it’s easy to see. (Safety) Carter Stoutmire has done a good job.”

There are several other returning veterans who will have key roles, including defensive linemen Anquin Barnes and Amari McNeill; edge rushers Keaten Wade and Samuel Okunlola; and cornerbacks Preston Hodge, Colton Hood and DJ McKinney.

The Buffs, however, are also going to lean on several newcomers, including safety Tawfiq Byard, a transfer from South Florida.

“Tawfiq’s come in and done a good job,” Livingston said. “We’re a different program (from USF). It is what it is, the way we practice, all that stuff. So that can be eye-opening, especially for a guy who’s still going into his redshirt sophomore year.”

The defensive line and linebacker rooms will also have some key players who are new to the team. And, with the transfer portal window opening Wednesday, there’s sure to be more changes in the upcoming weeks.

Whether it’s veterans, players who arrived in January or those who won’t get here until summer, Livingston’s task is to get them on the same page by the end of August.

“I think the great thing about the guys that we have is they want to know the why,” he said. “I think in this day and age with the kids that you’re getting, if you can clearly explain what the why is for each call, whether it’s a situation, whether it’s a defensive call, then they can understand a little bit better.

“So I think it’s our job as teachers to teach them that. Then all of a sudden, the game happens a little bit easier for them.”