Where Colorado Buffaloes QB room lands in ESPN’s rankings

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 21, 2025 12:18 PM ET

Deion Sanders has never shied away from the spotlight, and now, all eyes are on Colorado’s quarterback room heading into this pivotal Big 12 season. According to ESPN’s David Hale, the Buffaloes land in Tier 9 out of 20 in his national quarterback room rankings — placing them firmly in the middle of the pack among Big 12 contenders.

For a program in transition, that’s not a terrible place to be. But it’s also not where Sanders or Colorado fans want to stay.

The Buffaloes’ quarterback storyline is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in the conference. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter, who accounted for 66 total touchdowns over the past two seasons, impressed during spring practices and is viewed as the current leader in the QB battle. However, true freshman Julian Lewis, a former five-star recruit, brings undeniable raw talent and national buzz. Lewis’s elite arm and athleticism have made him a fan favorite despite his inexperience.

Salter’s experience is real — but so is the step up in competition. He dominated Conference USA defenses, but can he replicate that success against Big 12 fronts like Utah, Kansas State, or TCU? That remains to be seen.

ESPN’s ranking reflects the promise and uncertainty in Boulder. While Colorado sits above teams like UCF (Tier 15) and Oklahoma State (Tier 12), they trail behind programs with more settled quarterback situations like Kansas, Arizona State, and Baylor — all of which ranked higher due to stability and proven performance under center.

Still, this is uncharted territory. With Coach Prime’s recruiting prowess and a revamped offensive line, the Buffaloes could turn this Tier 9 spot into a launching pad for something bigger.

What’s clear: Colorado’s 2025 fate will hinge on who steps up at quarterback — and how fast they can adapt to a brutal Big 12 slate.

Buff Nation, it’s time to lock in. The quarterback battle isn’t just about who starts — it could define the trajectory of the entire season.

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

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