Deion Sanders’ first quarterback competition in the post-Shedeur Sanders era at Colorado may not end with one clear winner.
Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, who has played in 30 career games, currently holds the edge over five-star freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
“Kaidon is a guy with multiple talents,” Sanders said earlier this offseason. “He can throw the football. He can run the heck out of the football. Sometimes in practice, you don’t get a chance to see how good he is because when you run the quarterback, you know we can’t hit him. But you can see the burst, the speed, the knowledge of reading the defenses, and then he pulls it and keeps it. The kid is going to cause havoc. I’m just telling you.”
Salter’s leadership has also made him Shurmur’s preferred “main guy” in the QB room — the same process every position group goes through in camp, presenting their top option to the staff.
But that doesn’t mean Lewis is out of the picture.
“One source told On3 that it would not be surprised if Colorado employs some type of platoon situation with Lewis getting a few drives per game,” Nakos reported.
That approach would give Colorado two very different looks for defenses to prepare for — the seasoned mobility and playmaking of Salter, paired with the high-upside arm talent of Lewis. The former Georgia commit has already impressed in Boulder with his poise and quick grasp of the playbook.
Shurmur’s NFL background includes designing packages for multiple quarterbacks, and Sanders has never been afraid to get creative with personnel. If a platoon happens, it wouldn’t be just a gimmick — it could be a strategic way to keep opposing defenses guessing all season.
For now, the Buffaloes aren’t tipping their hand. What’s clear is that Colorado’s quarterback situation heading into Year 3 of the “Prime Time” era is just as intriguing — and potentially as unpredictable — as any in the Big 12.