QB Transition at Colorado: Deion Sanders’ Insight Into Julian Lewis & Kaidon Salter

Coach Prime outlines his QB criteria in his first season without son Shedeur, guiding Colorado toward the next leader with options in Kaidon Salter and freshman Julian Lewis.

This marks Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ first season at Colorado without his son Shedeur under center—a pivotal shift for the program. With both Shedeur and star receiver Travis Hunter now in the NFL, Colorado enters 2025 in transition.

“Completions, completions, completions — that’s what I want. Someone who knows how to lead grown men down the field.”
— Deion Sanders, on QB expectations (Say What Needs to Be Said Podcast)

Sanders is now focused solely on his head coaching role, allowing him to build broader leadership across the roster. One of his most critical decisions: choosing between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and five-star freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis at quarterback.

What Coach Prime Is Looking For

During the Say What Needs to Be Said podcast, Sanders distilled his expectations for a quarterback down to two essentials: consistency and leadership.

“Completions, completions, completions,” he emphasized, underscoring the importance of reliability over flash. Leadership, he noted, means someone who instills confidence in every teammate, regardless of game circumstances.

This reflects Sanders’ shift from coaching his son to shaping a quarterback who can meet the team-first mentality and competitive standards he now demands.

The QB Competition: Experience vs. Upside

Kaidon Salter: The Veteran Option

Salter brings experience from Liberty and a proven track record in college football. Sanders praised him as someone who is “off the chain” and dependable—“I wouldn’t have brought him here if I didn’t trust him”.

Kaidon Salter might have the best vision and awareness out of any CFB quarterback this year. Look at how quickly and precisely he’s making these cuts. He’s going to be electric this year🦬 #SkoBuffs pic.twitter.com/GkIx3nnjER

— Ky🦬 (@ihavemadflavor) June 17, 2025

Julian Lewis: The Long-Term Project

Julian “JuJu” Lewis entered Boulder with high expectations as a five-star recruit. PFF analyst Dalton Wasserman says Lewis embodies Shedeur’s tempo and accuracy, urgent in rhythm, precise, and modeled for long-term system fit.

Ex-NFL scout Gerald “Smoke” Dixon added that benching Lewis too early could derail Colorado’s rebuilding momentum given his potential as a future leader of the offense.

The coaching staff has given all three quarterbacks, including returner Ryan Staubample, reps through spring practices and early camp, with no starter decision yet made.

Julian Lewis To Omarion Miller https://t.co/qQwRLCI2DZ pic.twitter.com/IrjkCZpPjf

— The Darius Sanders (@KingDarius_NS) July 31, 2025

Why This QB Decision Matters

Replacing Shedeur won’t be easy. He totaled over 4,100 passing yards and 37 touchdowns in 2024, earning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Although Salter and Lewis are promising options, the receiver room and supporting pieces will be new, making stability under center all the more critical for continuity.

This quarterback choice will define Colorado’s identity in 2025: stick with a seasoned player who can manage games, or invest in developing a dynamic freshman to lead the program into the future.

As Coach Prime enters a new chapter without his son leading the offense, his clarity on what he demands in a quarterback, consistent execution and leadership, sets a tone for the 2025 season. Whether Colorado leans on Kaidon Salter’s experience or nurtures Julian Lewis’s high upside, the quarterback decision will shape their post-Shedeur future.