Colorado has tapped Kaidon Salter as the opening-day quarterback, Deion Sanders announced on Tuesday. The Liberty transfer earned the starting job over star freshman Julian Lewis and arrives as one of the more productive returning signal-callers in college football.
Salter’s resumé is considerable. He began at Tennessee before his stint ended in his first offseason, then rebuilt his career at Liberty under Hugh Freeze and Jamey Chadwell. In three seasons with the Flames, he started 24 games, throwing for 5,283 yards and 59 touchdowns. The peak came in 2023, when Salter earned Conference USA MVP honors and totaled 52 touchdowns, guiding Liberty to a Fiesta Bowl appearance.
Colorado is entering a generation shift after Shedeur Sanders and Heisman-winning athlete Travis Hunter departed for the NFL. The Buffaloes still celebrated a nine-win season in 2024, the program’s best since 2016, and Sanders’ elevated contract underlined the scale of the program’s ambitions. Sanders’ five-year, $54 million deal positions him among the highest-paid coaches in college football.
With Salter named the starter, he becomes the face of Deion Sanders’ second act at Colorado. The offense will lean on a mix of returning players and a large transfer class. Left tackle Jordan Seaton, wide receiver Dre’lon Miller and running back Dallan Hayden are back, while Colorado has brought in a top-20 transfer class that features 16 offensive players. Nine of those are on the offensive line, and the program has already adjusted its staff with a third offensive line coach in three years.
Filling a big hole
In recent seasons, Shedeur Sanders carried a heavy load. He passed for more yards than all but Cameron Ward, attempting an astonishing 907 passes while throwing for more than 7,300 yards and 64 touchdowns. He accounted for a substantial share of Colorado’s total offense, a team that struggled to produce a 400-yard rusher.
Salter brings mobility and a different skill set. He is a mobile quarterback, but his game leans more toward designed runs than the freelance escapes that defined Sanders. Across his Liberty tenure, Salter rushed for 2,006 yards and 21 touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry. In the breakout 2023 season, he produced 1,089 rushing yards and a 6.7-yard average.
Pat Shurmur, Colorado’s offensive coordinator, will be charged with building a new offense around Salter’s strengths. The aim is to craft a scheme that plays to his legs and arm while avoiding a strict replication of the Sanders playbook.
The future is coming
Salter’s selection at media day signaled a plan that includes a long view. Lewis, who will start the year on the bench, is widely viewed as the future at quarterback. The Carrollton, Georgia native ranked No. 126 in the national Top247 and No. 10 at his position, making him the highest-rated quarterback recruit in program history. Despite his smaller frame and reclassification, Lewis boasts high-level experience during Georgia’s talented high school competition, with more than 10,000 passing yards at the prep level.
“Its projection as a modern point guard who can push the tempo in a spread attack with accuracy and savvy decision-making was noted by evaluators,” 247Sports analyst Andrew Ivins wrote. “Smaller stature is not ideal, but he has the skills and confidence to win games on Saturdays—and potentially right away.”
Colorado’s schedule is formidable, starting with an opener against Georgia Tech and including early tests against BYU, TCU, Iowa State and Utah. The year closes with matchups against Arizona State and Kansas State. If Salter struggles, Lewis could take the field later in the year to officially pass the baton.
What to watch
– Offensive identity: Shurmur’s challenge is to design a system that maximizes Salter’s running ability while leveraging the playmakers Colorado has assembled. Expect more structured designed runs and quarterback keepers, balanced with a pro-style passing game.
– Protection and depth: Replacing a line featuring a former quarterback-turned-leader requires solid protection and depth, especially with a demanding schedule. The nine linemen in the transfer class suggest a focus on upgrade and flexibility.
– The Lewis storyline: Lewis’ trajectory creates a long-view storyline for the season. If Salter hits a stretch where the offense stalls, Lewis could be poised to step in and keep Colorado on track for a strong finish.
– Schedule pressure: The early slate against GaTech, BYU, TCU and Utah will test Colorado’s readiness. Staying healthy and cohesive early will be crucial to maintain momentum.
Analyst take
Colorado’s decision to lean into Salter reflects a broader strategy: build a dynamic offense around a quarterback who can contribute with his legs, while cultivating a strong pipeline of linemen and playmakers. The combination of Salter’s mobility and the talent around him could yield a balanced attack that complements a defense looking to grow under the program’s extended leadership. The presence of a highly regarded young quarterback in Lewis also keeps the program’s future on track, providing a clear path from a rocky transition to sustained competitiveness.
Summary
Colorado has named Kaidon Salter the starting quarterback for the opener, signaling a new era under Deion Sanders. Salter arrives with productive numbers from Liberty and a skill set that emphasizes designed runs. The team will rely on a rebuilt offense, anchored by a large transfer class and a poised future in Lewis. The schedule will test the new-look Buffaloes, but the move signals optimism for Colorado’s offense and a hopeful path forward in Sanders’ second act.
Note: This rewrite preserves all factual details provided and adds context to help readers understand the implications of the quarterback change and the program’s direction.