Deion Sanders Eyes ‘Leadership and Consistency’ at QB amid Salter, Staub Struggles

Colorado has played three quarterbacks through its first three games, but head coach Deion Sanders knows what he is looking for from the position moving forward.

“Leadership and consistency,” he told reporters Tuesday when asked what he uses to evaluate the position (19-minute mark). “That’s it. That ain’t much to ask for, is it? Leadership and consistency. I look for that from everyone.”

The Buffaloes started Kaidon Salter in the season-opening loss to Georgia Tech and the win over Delaware in the second contest. However, they also rotated in highly touted freshman Julian Lewis and Ryan Staub and then only played the latter in the ensuing game against Houston.

Lewis—who was a 4-star prospect and the No. 6 quarterback in the 2025 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings—has attempted just four passes, while Staub has completed just 57.8 percent of his throws for three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Salter has one touchdown pass to zero interceptions but is averaging just 5.9 yards per attempt.

With nobody seizing the job as Colorado started 1-2, it has created some uncertainty moving forward. Sanders told reporters Tuesday he “most definitely” knows who will start the upcoming game against Wyoming but did not reveal who he chose.

While Colorado should have enough talent to defeat Wyoming, its outlook in the Big 12 is fairly bleak if the 36-20 loss to Houston was any indication.

It is difficult to envision the team defeating the likes of BYU, TCU, Iowa State, Utah and others, which could leave Sanders’ program on the outside looking in when it comes to bowl eligibility for the second time in his three years as head coach. 

Perhaps one of the quarterbacks will show the “leadership and consistency” the coach is looking for against Wyoming, though, which could change the team’s overall outlook before the majority of its conference schedule.