Coach Prime enjoying fierce competition in Buffs’ quarterback room
Colorado's Coach Prime watches his team run plays during the first half of the Black and Gold Game Saturday April 22, 2023 at Folsom Field. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
BOULDER, Colo. — There’s no denying that Shedeur Sanders is leaving behind some huge shoes to fill for the quarterbacks on Colorado’s roster this spring.
After all, the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Year led the Buffaloes to a nine-win campaign last season, and won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award as the nation’s top senior quarterback. Colorado is also retiring Sanders’ jersey number prior to Saturday’s Black and Gold Game.
The kickoff of the annual event will be the fans’ first glimpse of life after Sanders for the Buffaloes’ offense, and Coach Prime is ready to showcase the talent he has in the quarterback room. At this point it appears to be a three-man race for the job with Kaidon Salter, Julian lewis and Ryan Staub. All three signal-callers have caught Coach Prime’s attention in several ways over the past three weeks, and for good reasons.
“They can play, but they approach the game totally different, and we gotta be better at coaching to their strengths,” Coach Prime said. “We gotta be better at putting them in the right situations for success, but those guys can play.”
Salter is the headliner, considering he threw for 5,850 yards, 55 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over the past three seasons at Liberty. Not to mention Salter displayed dangerous mobility, and rushed for 1,953 yards and 21 touchdowns during that span. It also helps that he has a bunch of experience and accolades, earning first-team, All-Conference USA honors in 2023.
Lewis is the flashy true freshman, who has all of the physical tools to emerge as a day one starter, despite his youth. It’s just a matter of how fast the former four-star prospect can soak up Offensive Coordinator Pat Shurmur’s playbook. Staub is the gunslinger lurking in the shadows, after sitting two years behind Sanders. Although he didn’t complete a pass last season, he passed for 254 yards and a touchdown in his first season with Colorado.
All three are battling like hungry wolves at the dinner table throughout the spring, and that’s how Coach Prime likes it. Now he’s just waiting for one of the three to emerge, and take command of the offense. And all eyes are on Salter and Lewis, but Staub is making the most out of his reps.
“They’re learning everyday, they’re getting better and better, and they’re starting to understand the system,” he said. “It’s tougher on Pat and the offensive coaches because you have two different types of quarterbacks, so you’re pretty much calling two different offenses, and Staub is the most versatile and can do a little bit of both.”
With 14 practices in the books, Coach Prime only feels confident in Colorado’s kicking and punting approaching Saturday’s scrimmage. Everything else must improve in his eyes, and the quarterbacks are a vital piece to build the team around.
There’ll also be an emphasis on running the ball, with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk on the staff, so that should take some pressure off the quarterbacks. Coach Prime believes his offensive line has a high ceiling, which will give the quarterbacks more confidence, knowing they’ll have solid protection up front.
Salter is the veteran, Lewis has all the flash, and Staub has the head start because of his experience in Shurmur’s scheme. All of those qualities will be intriguing when they’re behind center in front of a gameday atmosphere. And Coach Prime is eager to see how it’ll all plays out.
“The main thing is figuring these guys out, what they’re good at and what they’re not, what they’re comfortable with, how much can we push them, and we still have a whole summer to do so as well.”
