The Colorado Buffaloes made it clear that high-character players were who they wanted to build their roster around in 2026. The Buffs did just that, and one example of a player with high character is former Vanderbilt Commodores safety Randon Fontenette.On July 2, he and his charity, Rize Up Foundation, partnered with college football recruiter and NIL manager Mike West to give back to a community in Houston. His generosity encapsulates what Colorado football wants to be all about in 2026, and it could spark similar generosity from his teammates in the future.Randon Fontenette’s Charitable Efforts Towards Houston CommunityJul 14, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores safety Randon Fontenette answers media day questions during SEC Media Day at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectFontenette and his charity worked with West to create a pop-up giveaway of groceries to the Sunnyslope Community in Houston, Texas.Fontenette gave out 50 shopping bags, each valued at roughly $50 apiece. West offered his comments on the success of the event and his anticipation of future charity collaborations with Rize Up Foundation on his X account. “To see the smile on so many people's faces and hear the stories of how much it was helping them is truly heartwarming,” White wrote. “We put this together in less than two days. The next one will be bigger and better. Stay tuned.” I want to thank Rize Up Foundation for being such a huge blessing for families yesterday. @randonfontenet3At our pop up grocery giveaway in the low socioeconomic community Sunnyside we gave out 50 large grocery bags valued at over $50 per bag. To see the smile on so many… pic.twitter.com/o7p00RVVXy— Mike West🤘🏾 (@HoustonHero713) July 3, 2026As Fontenette continues his charity efforts, he’ll continue to spread the positivity Coach Prime has been aiming to grow in his team.How Coach Deion Sanders Has Modeled Charity for His TeamNov 16, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders hugs Colorado Buffaloes place kicker Alejandro Mata (16) in the first quarter against the Utah Utes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectColorado coach Deion Sanders has set an example for his team with charitable acts of his own over the years. One of the recent examples came in March of 2025, when he donated uniforms to youth football players."Are there any youth football coaches around the country who need youth uniforms?” Sanders posted on X. “I have a storage unit full of TRUTH uniforms that are new or barely worn. If you want them, please contact @DeionSandersJr asap with a statement of why your team deserves the blessing."Sanders’s involvement with TRUTH saw him pursue many charitable ventures. He aimed to assist student-athletes in their education while assisting parents in providing them with the best equipment for the sport, according to an interview conducted by NFL Network.Randon Fontenette’s Season OutlookVanderbilt linebacker Randon Fontenette (2) warms up during an NCAA college football practice Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectFontenette following in Sanders’s footsteps signals two things about his 2026 season outlook.First of all, it shows that he has bought into Coach Prime’s system and coaching style. It seems that he plans to live up to the expectations the program has of his character, something that will pay off in the form of increased playing time and trust from the staff.Additionally, it reveals that he is a prime candidate to emerge as a leader among the new-look roster. Fontenette’s experience and selflessness are excellent characteristics for his teammates to rally around. If that comes to fruition, the Buffs’ program will be extremely grateful. Colorado struggled mightily with leadership issues in 2025, so it hopes that leaders will emerge early and in droves in the 2026 season.Fontenette has more than proven his ability on the field, but as he continues to display his high-quality character, he’ll continue to turn heads.Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Facebook for the latest news. Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow