Deion Sanders Announces Major Decision on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Nov 25, 2025 2:28 PM ET

The Deion Sanders-led Colorado Buffaloes have endured a difficult 2025 campaign after entering the year with expectations shaped by their strong 2024 season. Last fall, Colorado finished 9-4 overall and 7-2 in Big 12 play, a breakthrough that returned the program to national relevance and raised hopes for Sanders’ third year. Instead, the Buffaloes have struggled to find consistency on either side of the ball, sitting at 3-8, 1-7 in the Big 12 heading into the season finale.

A large part of the challenge has been the transition at quarterback, where true freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis was thrust into the starting role. In just four games, Lewis showed glimpses of his five-star promise, including a 22-for-35, 299-yard, two-touchdown effort against the West Virginia Mountaineers, but overall the offense never established the rhythm or explosiveness the staff envisioned.

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Julian Lewis (10).Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

While Colorado failed to replicate last season’s efficiency, the team will hope to close out the year with a win against the Kansas State Wildcats. Ahead of the final game of the year, Sanders made a significant adjustment at quarterback.

On Tuesday, Sanders confirmed a significant move under center. The head coach announced that Lewis will sit out the matchup in order to preserve his redshirt year (via Colorado Buffaloes beat reporter Brian Howell). In his place, senior Kaidon Salter will start on Saturday.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said he made the decision to have QB JuJu Lewis sit out the season finale so he could redshirt. Senior Kaidon Salter will start at Kansas State on Saturday. #cubuffs
— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) November 25, 2025

Salter has thrown for 1,242 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He arrived at Colorado after a productive season with the Liberty Flames, where he threw for 1,886 yards and 15 touchdowns plus 579 rushing yards and seven scores in 11 games.

The veteran quarterback will lead an offense that has lacked traction during a season that has been a clear step back from the days of Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter . In 2024, Shedeur Sanders threw for 4,134 yards and 37 touchdowns on 74 percent passing while Hunter delivered a Heisman-winning two-way campaign. That season now sits in sharp contrast to the current year’s struggles.

With Salter taking the reins in the finale, Deion Sanders hopes to stabilize the unit, finish strong and build a foundation for a needed rebound in 2026. Colorado faces the Kansas State Wildcats (5-6, 4-4 Big 12) on Saturday, with kickoff set for noon ET Saturday and live coverage on Fox Sports 1.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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