The University of Colorado Boulder’s Football team’s Kaidon Salter receives the snap during their spring scrimmage at Folsom Field on Saturday, April 19, 2025. (Scott Tan/CU Independent)
Head coach Deion Sanders was quick to tell the qualities of the job that he was looking for before the Buffs welcome the University of Wyoming Saturday night:
“Leadership and consistency.”
Three different quarterbacks have taken the field for the Buffs throughout their 1-2 start. Sanders and the coaching staff have sifted through the likes of senior transfer Kaidon Salter, five-star true freshman Julian Lewis and sophomore Ryan Staub.
Salter was the anticipated guy coming into the year and underwhelmingly led the Buffs to an 0-1 start after losing to Georgia Tech. Then, in a game that saw all three play, the third-stringer, Staub, unexpectedly performed the best in the 31-7 beatdown on Delaware. However, with new life under Staub, the offense was unable to capitalize and derailed against Houston, losing 36-20.
So what now?
In Tuesday’s press conference, Sanders said he already knew who would start on Saturday. When asked what improvements he’s seen from Salter now a quarter into the season, the two aforementioned words came back up: leadership and consistency. Then, on Wednesday morning, CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz announced that Salter is expected back at the helm and would get the start against Wyoming.
When comparing Salter and Staub, one uncontrollable variable is the coaching and play calling from offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. With Salter, Shurmur tends to pound the run and use screen plays as an integral part of the playbook, whether they’re effective or not. Meanwhile, with Staub in the whole night against Houston, the game plan was pass-heavy, handing the ball off just 12 times.
Whether or not this indicates Shurmur’s confidence levels in the two quarterbacks, his scheme with Salter doesn’t create the best opportunities for him to show off his talent. In Staub’s two glorious touchdown drives against Delaware, he actually audibled against Shurmur’s call twice for big downfield pick-ups to Sincere Brown.
However, Salter seems to be Coach Prime’s guy. He’s supposedly found new leadership within the locker room and has shown Sanders he can consistently move the offense, something that hasn’t been the case yet.
“Why not us?” Sanders said. “Why can’t we turn it around, why can’t we correct the wrongs with the rights and display consistency … because we have the talent in-house.”
The Buffs look to level their record against Wyoming today, with kickoff set for 8:15 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Baylan Wysuph at baylan.wysuph@colorado.edu.
