By Colby Wyatt
Quarterback Ryan Staub (left) celebrates with wide receiver Sincere Brown (center) and running back DeKalon Taylor (right) after his first touchdown completion. (Zachary Giesenschlag/Sko Buffs Sports)
For the second time in 2025, the Colorado Buffaloes have played three different quarterbacks in a game. The first time came during the CU Black and Gold spring game on April 19, a controlled, public scrimmage where all three quarterbacks showed the world their strengths. Now, only two weeks into the college football season they did it again during CU’s 31-7 win against the Delaware Blue Hens.
To fill the gap left by former CU and now NFL quarterback Shedeur Sanders’ absence, Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders brought in two new players: five-star, 17-year-old freshman recruit Julian “Juju” Lewis and fifth-year senior transfer student Kaidon Salter.
After months of speculation, Coach Sanders announced just days before the season opener to Georgia Tech that the team would start Salter. What followed was a flat offense that was unable to grab a win against Georgia Tech. So naturally, Sanders’ announcement that Lewis would see the field against Delaware garnered national attention.
Fast forward to Saturday’s game and something unexpected happened: CU would use not two, but three quarterbacks throughout the game. With 45 seconds left in the first half, redshirt sophomore Ryan Staub made his way onto the field and didn’t take long to show what he was capable of. Four plays into the drive, he hit wide receiver Joseph Williams right in the chest for a 31-yard gain. On his next pass attempt, he stepped up into a collapsing pocket to get the ball to running back DeKalon Taylor, who was then able to take it into the endzone.
Staub started the second half and kept things rolling. He showed poise, he threw the ball deep but still took his checkdowns when he needed to. When all was said and done he had completed seven of his 10 pass attempts for a total of 157 passing yards and two touchdowns. For comparison, Salter went 13-for-16 with 102 passing yards, while Lewis was given just five dropbacks of which he completed two for a total of eight yards.
Beyond the stats, Staub was comfortable with the pace of play, only taking one sack. He flashed his potential, extending plays and completing passes at every level of the field. With him at the helm the offense flowed for 197 total yards and three touchdowns. Staub’s average yards per completion was 22.4 versus Salter’s 7.8. The coaching staff has emphasized time and time again the importance of getting the ball to the talented receiving corps and that happened with Staub making the throws.
So are the Buffs in the middle of a quarterback crisis? That depends on whether or not the team feels confident in any of their three options at the position. With Sanders deeming Lewis too young to throw into the fire, it comes down to Staub and Salter.
Staub gave the team a plethora of reasons to believe in him on Saturday. While Salter is still the veteran option he did not look improved at all compared to his week one self, despite the Blue Hens being a much weaker opponent than Georgia Tech. Furthermore, according to Sanders, the team loves Ryan Staub.
“The line loves him,” Sanders said. “They hit a switch when they see Staub come in the huddle.”
Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur also couldn’t say enough good things about Staub.
“Staub and I have become very close,” Shurmer said. “I appreciate him because of the way he plays the position.”
So was this game enough to force in a new signal caller? Well, the world will have to wait to have that question answered.
“Yeah, I know exactly how I’m going to handle the quarterback situation,” Sanders said. “I’m not gonna say it, but yeah, I’m not lost for direction.”
However, Sanders can’t hide his decision forever as Colorado prepares to travel to Texas to take on the Houston Cougars Sep. 12 at 6:30 p.m.