Joel Klatt states Ryan Staub has 'forced the coaches' hand' in Colorado quarterback battle
Heading into Colorado‘s 2025 season, the conversation around the quarterback position involved Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and incoming four-star freshman Julian Lewis. Just three weeks into the season however, redshirt sophomore three-star quarterback Ryan Staub has looked like the most polished arm of the trio.
All three players saw playing time in Colorado‘s 31-7 drumming of Delaware last Saturday, with Staub easily looking the most impressive. He completed 7/10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns, earning a boatload of praise from head coach Deion Sanders on Tuesday.
“He did what he was supposed to do,” Sanders said at Tuesday’s presser. “We did what we were supposed to do last week as a team. We need to do what we’re expected to do this week. Staub did what we expected him to do. You all are surprised. We weren’t. We’re thankful, appreciative and happy for him and elated for him.”
“He sees the darn moment. We talk about the moment all the time in our meetings. We talk about taking advantage of opportunities not only on the football field, but in life. And he did that. He did that. I’m proud of him.”
Joel Klatt claims Staub forced Colorado’s hand to start him
During Wednesday’s edition of ‘The Joel Klatt Show‘, FOX broadcaster Joel Klatt stated that Colorado has no choice but to start Staub going forward after his strong start to the season.
“Lo and behold guess who plays the best?” Klatt said. “The guy nobody’s talking about, Ryan Staub! Ryan Staub comes out there and plays tremendous and led them to a victory. I get it, it’s just Delaware and that’s awesome. But, 7/10 for 157 yards and two touchdowns off the bench. Here’s why I wanted to talk about this.”
“One, there are some reports that Deion’s gonna go with Staub moving forward. Now those are not confirmed and not official whether he’ll start the game or not. I anticipate that he will. The reason is because it is clear he has forced the coaches hand. This is exactly what you have to do if you are an under recruited guy (he was just a three-star) or a walk-on guy or if you’re a third stringer.”
“You have to provide ample evidence to your coaching staff that you are the best option and you elevate the play of the players around you. When you do that, they can’t take you off the field. From that position, Staub should get the start for Colorado this next week.”
College football fans are going to have to wait until Colorado‘s clash with Houston on Saturday to see if Staub starts or not, as Coach Prime has yet to name a starter at the quarterback position.
