Deion Sanders questions idea Colorado needs ‘solidified’ starting QB
Two games into his third season in Boulder, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders is already calling an audible at quarterback. Earlier Tuesday, ESPN insider Pete Thamel reported sophomore Ryan Staub is expected to start the Buffaloes’ Big 12 opener Saturday at Houston.
While not confirming Thamel’s report, Coach Prime did acknowledge Staub has received most of the first-team reps at practice this week ahead of senior transfer Kaidon Salter, who started Colorado’s first two games, and five-star freshman backup Julian Lewis, who played briefly last Saturday against Delaware.
“I’m not confirming none of y’all, y’all know that,” Sanders said during Tuesday’s press conference. “We ain’t like that. We good. We have capable guys. Staub has been doing a phenomenal job doing and getting the majority of the reps, but I haven’t made that assessment and decision yet.”
When asked a follow-up question about the impact “not having a solidified quarterback” could have on the team, Sanders turned the question on the reporter.
“Solidified quarterback? Who has one of those? I’ve got time today. Who has one of those? What does that look like? What is a solidified quarterback look like? … I want to know,” Sanders said before a staffer answered off to the side. “We play quarterbacks every week. What does a solidified quarterback look like?”
The reporter clarified by pointing out most teams utilize a “clear” starting quarterback week-in and week-out, to which Coach Prime responded by defending his team’s makeup — with or without a clearly-defined first-string quarterback.
Deion Sanders on Colorado QB situation: ‘I like where we are, man. … I like these dice I’m shaking’
“That can mean something’s up for your roster if it’s clear. Then that clear guy goes down, what’s up with the second (quarterback)?” Sanders continued. “I like where we are, man. I like what we have. I like what we’re playing with. I like these dice I’m shaking. I do, I really do.”
Staub opened the 2025 season as the Buffs’ third-team option behind both Salter and Lewis, but impressed Colorado coaches after stepping in and producing a pair of touchdown drives during Saturday’s 31-7 win over the Blue Hens. Sanders admitted after the game that it was his plan to rotate in all three quarterbacks Saturday.
Salter started the game and helped guide Colorado to a 10-0 lead in his first two drives, including a 9-yard rushing touchdown and a 7-0 lead to cap the Buffs’ first offensive series vs. Delaware. Lewis started the team’s third and fourth offensive series and had success moving the ball but couldn’t find the end zone before Staub closed out Colorado’s final offensive series of the first half with a touchdown to go head 17-7 at halftime.
Staub started the second half at quarterback and led the Buffs down the field in three plays, capped by a 71-yard touchdown strike to Sincere Brown to pull ahead 24-7 in the first 1:14 of the third quarter. Staub finished the game 7-of-10 for 157 yards and the two touchdowns, while Salter was an efficient 13-of-16 passing for 102 yards to go along with 25 yards on nine carries in the game.
