The Colorado Buffaloes have been quick to piece together a succession plan ahead of the post-Shedeur Sanders era, as he will be entering his name in the 2025 NFL Draft.
A high-profile recruit and an experienced transfer headline the Buffaloes’ quarterback room heading into next season.
What Does the Colorado QB Room Look Like Ahead of the 2025 College Football Season?
Kaidon Salter (Fifth-year senior)
Kaidon Salter joins the mix following four seasons, three as the starter, with the Liberty Flames of Conference USA. The speedy Salter is best while using his athleticism; he has 2,013 career rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns.
In 2023, he led the Flames to a 12-0 regular season record before defeating the New Mexico State Aggies, 49-35, in the C-USA championship. In that game, Salter produced 484 total yards and three total touchdowns. He was named the C-USA MVP in 2023. Salter threw for 5,887 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions across his career at Liberty.
He leaves after posting an 8-3 record in the 2024 campaign, looking to use his last year of eligibility leading the Buffaloes. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was likely referencing the former Flames quarterback on Tuesday, saying “I think we need to add another QB. I think you might see that happen.”
Soon after, they locked in the fifth-year senior Salter, but don’t expect the job to be given to him without some competition — there’s talent at the position coming in.
Julian Lewis (True freshman)
A four-star recruit out of Carrollton, Georgia, Julian Lewis was an excellent addition to the Buffaloes’ 2025 recruiting class.
The 6’0″, 185-pound 17-year-old threw for over 10,000 yards in his high school career despite foregoing his senior year to reclassify up a year.
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Not known as a dynamic athlete, Lewis is known as a quick-release, distributor-type of passer, ideal considering the talented receiving corps Colorado already has in place. Sanders could be described that way as well, and he excelled in Shurmur’s system.
Lewis was quoted on The Pat McAfee Show as saying “I like that I’ll be able to compete right away, I won’t be very happy sitting on the bench.” Although a high-profile recruit, it may be in his and the Buffaloes’ best interests to sit a year and learn from the more experienced Salter.
Ryan Staub (Redshirt sophomore)
Ryan Staub has served as the Buffaloes’ backup for the past two seasons. He appeared in three games in 2024, throwing four passes and completing none of them. The Stevenson Ranch, California native started one game as a true freshman in 2023, a 23-17 loss to the Utah Utes. Staub played a solid game, completing 17 of 23 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown.
A three-star prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, Staub — assuming he stays — could serve as a wait-his-turn developing quarterback who may have a chance to compete with Lewis heading into the 2026 season.
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