Colorado's Deion Sanders has QB update after son's departure

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Colorado HC Deion Sanders provides QB update following Shedeur Sanders' departure

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 3:33 PM ET

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders provided an update on his team's quarterback competition on Wednesday during Big 12 media days in Dallas.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Famer, with less than two months before the start of the 2025 season, the battle between fifth-year senior Kaidon Salter and freshman JuJu Lewis is still raging.

As ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel noted on social media, Sanders shared he remains undecided over who will start this fall.

"We can't lose either way, with either of those two," Sanders said.

Sanders said he brought both of his quarterbacks because he doesn't know which one is going to start. "We can't lose either way, with either of those two."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 9, 2025

This offseason, Colorado added both as they move on from Shedeur Sanders, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Salter, a fifth-year senior, started 25 games over the past two seasons at Liberty. He led Conference USA in passing touchdowns (32) and yards per attempts (9.9) in 2023. Last season, he threw for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding 688 yards on 103 rush attempts, per Pro Football Focus data.

In three high-school seasons, Lewis completed 69.1 percent of his pass attempts for 11,010 yards (10.3 yards per attempt), 144 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. (h/t MaxPreps)

Whoever wins the job has enormous shoes to fill. Sanders led FBS in completion percentage (74 percent) while throwing for 4,137 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He helped lead Colorado to its best record (9-4) since 2016 (10-4).

He isn't the only player Deion Sanders must replace. The Buffaloes lost 2024 Heisman winner Travis Hunter as well. Wide receivers LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn were also taken in the 2025 NFL Draft, giving Colorado four draft picks in one year for the first time since 2006. (h/t Stathead)

Based on Sanders' comments, the Buffaloes should be in good shape at quarterback regardless of who starts.

Colorado begins the season on Aug. 29 at home against Georgia Tech.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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