The dynamics of the Colorado Buffaloes have significantly changed with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter leaving for the NFL. Coach Prime now has a choice to make on who will lead the team from the pocket.
A major section of fans and experts believe Kaidon Salter will fill Shedeur’s shoes, but five-star QB talent Julian JuJu Lewis is equally in contention to be the Colorado starting quarterback in 2025.
Kaidon Salter Makes Perfect Throws at Colorado Practice
Salter, the former Liberty Flames quarterback, transferred to Colorado in December 2024, which raised many eyebrows since Julian Lewis was viewed as a replacement for Shedeur when he left for the NFL. But Coach Prime has been making moves, with Salter deciding to spend his final year of NCAA eligibility in Boulder.
On Thursday, the passer was seen making deep throws and warming up in Colorado’s indoor facility. He has been picking targets with great accuracy, and fans have almost rested their hopes on Salter for 2025.
🔥 Smooth Darts. A New Era. QB Kaidon Salter’s First Throws as a Buff.
🔄 @DeionSandersJr @07ksalt
📽️ https://t.co/BaAW5ki7d3 pic.twitter.com/jApoKmli58— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) January 16, 2025
When it comes to his personal opinion about who will start the program, Salter has no apprehensions. Two weeks ago, he revealed why Colorado chose him and the real competition inside their locker room.
“No promises. All competition, and I’m willing to come in and compete,” Salter said, per Steven Corder of Athlon Sports. “They wanted somebody in the room that can mentor him…and I feel like I’m that guy,” he added, mentioning that he had been a mentor to Juju previously and intends to share his learnings with him.
Before joining Colorado, Salter spent four years at Liberty, recording 5,887 passing yards for 56 touchdowns. When it comes to his rushing skills, he racked up 2,063 yards and 21 touchdowns.
When Juju Lewis Shared Why He Chose Colorado Over USC
Lewis was viewed as the next big thing for the USC Trojans, but Sanders managed to flip his commitment to Colorado. While speaking to the Pat McAfee show in November 2024, he mentioned that having Sanders and Pat Shurmur on the coaching roster attracted him the most.
“I mean, Coach Prime’s always said, like, the best man is going to play,” Lewis said on the show.
“That’s really what I wanted—to be able to come in and compete. I wouldn’t have much fun sitting on the bench, so I want to come in somewhere I can get a chance to play,” he added.
Looking at the current scenario, Salter is expected to make the QB1 spot with Juju Lewis backing him up unless Coach Prime intends to offer him a hybrid role to start for the program.
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