The Colorado Buffaloes football program, led by Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Deion Sanders, is preparing for its opening game against Georgia Tech with a new quarterback strategy. After a notable recruiting win, the team landed four-star dual-threat quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis from Georgia. However, with the addition of Kaidon Salter from the transfer portal, Colorado now has a succession plan in place at quarterback.
During this offseason’s competition for the starting role, Salter emerged as the starting quarterback. As Colorado gets ready to play as 4.5-point underdogs in Week 1, Sanders shared insights about his plans for both quarterbacks’ involvement in the upcoming game.
“Kaidon Salter is going to start. He’s the guy at this point. We’re hoping that you’ll see Julian ‘JuJu’ Lewis a little bit during the game as well, but the game will predict that,” Sanders said.
Salter transferred after an MVP season in Conference USA, having totaled over 3,900 yards and 44 touchdowns. His previous stint at Liberty ended after a challenging season and following his dismissal from Tennessee before the 2021 season.
Salter aims to establish himself as an NFL prospect for 2026 and will work within offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur’s system, likely utilizing run-pass option concepts during his transition.
Julian Lewis has drawn comparisons to Bryce Young and brings accuracy and decision-making skills suited to a modern spread offense. Andrew Ivins of 247Sports commented on Lewis’ potential: “Quarterback protege that exits high school with over 10,000 career passing yards despite reclassifying and forgoing his senior season. Lacks elite physical traits, but is an elite distributor of the football with his quick release and advanced mechanics that picked apart defenses in the Peach State’s highest classification. Frequently in sync and in tune with his wide receivers as he excels at throwing with pace and precision to the first and second levels. Has continued to progress as a full-field reader over the years and is the type of young signal caller that will work through his keys and reads while looking off defenders. Can sense pressure and slip away from sacks, but shouldn’t exactly be viewed as a dynamic athlete that’s going to amplify a run game. Capable of connecting on some deep shots, but prep spray chart is painted with horizontal tosses and camp evaluations suggest he can keep improving as a vertical passer. Overall, projects as a new-age point guard that can push the tempo in a modern spread attack with his pin-point accuracy and savvy decision making. Smaller stature is not ideal, but has the skills and confidence to win games on Saturdays – and potentially right away.”
The Buffaloes are set for their first test against Georgia Tech while closely watching how both quarterbacks perform under Sanders’ leadership.
