Breaking down Colorado's spring quarterback battle between Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis
As the Colorado Buffaloes prepare for the upcoming season, one of the biggest storylines in Boulder revolves around the quarterback position. With Shedeur Sanders off to the NFL, Colorado is looking for its next signal caller, and all eyes are on the battle between Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis. Each quarterback brings similar skill sets to the table, making this competition one that could define the Buffs' offense in 2025.
This position battle has major implications for a Colorado offense looking to build on the progress made by head coach Deion Sanders. With a talented supporting cast, the Buffs need a quarterback who can manage the game and elevate the team to the top of the Big 12.
Here is our first pre-spring game position preview, a series in which we will examine all the major contributors across all position groups and break down how Colorado's roster might look. The quarterbacks are up first.
Kaidon Salter
Salter joins Colorado after a standout tenure at Liberty. In the 2023 season, he led the Flames to a 13-1 record and earned Conference USA MVP honors.
While he had a down year in 2024, Salter's dual-threat capability could intrigue offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur. If the Buffs can see a return of 2023 Salter with the additions of talented offensive good weapons, the Colorado offense could be challenging to stop next year, even without Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
Julian Lewis
Ranked as the No. 2 player in the 2025 class by ESPN, Lewis flipped his commitment from USC to Colorado last year. During his high school career, Lewis threw for over 10,000 yards and 144 passing touchdowns.
What makes Lewis intriguing is his pro-style approach and playmaking ability. Despite being a true freshman, his arm talent and composure make him a legitimate candidate for the starting job. The only question mark is whether he can handle the speed and physicality of college football or if he would benefit from a year of development behind Salter.
According to Coach Prime, however, one thing will separate the two in the battle.
"Leadership. Being able to see the field, being able to rally those guys around you," Sanders said last week. "You got to understand, you got to have a bonified leader [at the quarterback position]."
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
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