Three quarterbacks are competing for the top job: Kaidon Salter, Julian ‘JuJu’ Lewis and Ryan Staub.
Coach Sanders is recovering well from bladder cancer surgery and provided a glimpse of his new-look team.
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders still has a quarterback controversy on his hands nearly two weeks after the start of preseason training camp.
On Friday, Aug. 8, he even sort of increased the mystery about it by adding a third quarterback to face the news media at a news conference in Boulder.
Who will replace Sanders’ son Shedeur at the most important position on the team?
With three weeks before the season opener against Georgia Tech on Aug. 29, there’s no clear answer between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and heralded freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis. Returning backup quarterback Ryan Staub has impressed Sanders, too. All spoke to reporters Friday.
“The cream of the crop is gonna rise,” Sanders said. “So it’s not an urgency that we got to name this and name that. Both these guys can play. I mean, I think we could play well with either one of them, but we want to put ourselves in the best position totally. So it’s still going on, and don’t underestimate Staub and what he brings to the table.”
Why Deion Sanders is ‘loving life’
This was Sanders’ first news conference since he revealed in a previous news conference July 28 that he had his bladder removed in May to cure bladder cancer. Since then, Sanders has been coaching his team in preseason camp as normal, with no outward sign that he endured a harrowing health ordeal since May.
Sanders said Friday that he’s “healthy,” “vibrant” and “my old self.” He said he walks around campus at least a mile after practices.
“I’m loving life right now,” Sanders said. “I’m gonna try my best to live it to the fullest considering what transpired.”
Deion Sanders raves about Colorado’s offensive line
Life is so good for Sanders right now that he even said his offensive line has stood out so far in the preseason. In his previous two seasons in Boulder, that position group has been a problem for the Buffaloes.
“I’m truly proud of that group,” said Sanders, who added that nine players are capable of starting at the five line positions.
In Sanders’ first season at Colorado in 2023, the Buffs gave up 56 quarterback sacks, the second-most in the nation. Last year, they gave up 43, the most in the Big 12 Conference. Sanders since has refurbished an offensive line that aims to help improve a running game that finished last in the nation in both of Sanders’ other two seasons at Colorado in rushing yards per game.
Deion Sanders’ new offensive line has massive bulk
After finishing 9-4 last season, the Buffaloes return heralded sophomore Jordan Seaton at left tackle and have added two transfer guards who recently earned the respect of an assistant coach on the other side of the ball – Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp.
“We got two solid guards right now,” Sapp said after a recent practice. “I don’t know their names … 71 and 72.”
No. 71 is Memphis transfer Xavier Hill, who is listed at 6-4, 320 pounds. No. 72 is Illinois transfer Zy Crisler, listed at 6-foot-4, 340 pounds.
Colorado lost its top two centers to the transfer portal after last season: Cash Cleveland (Texas Tech) and Hank Zilinskas (Rutgers). But the Buffaloes also added another big body at center to fill out a beefy interior line – Louisiana Tech transfer Zarian McGill (6-2, 320). Rounding out a potential starting five at tackle is Tennessee transfer Larry Johnson (6-7, 350).
“I know we have an emphasis on wanting to run the ball,” Staub said Friday. “I think we will. And I think we’ll have a lot of time back there (as quarterbacks).”
Deion Sanders said Colorado will ‘win differently’
The program has a new look for Sanders as he begins his third season in Boulder. Besides losing his quarterback son Shedeur, the top four receivers from last year’s team also have departed to the NFL, including Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter.
“We’re gonna win differently, but we’re gonna win,” Sanders said.
They could end up playing both quarterbacks, each of whom has a different style. Salter has only one year of college eligibility left and is a threat to run or pass. Lewis is only 17 years old and is more of a drop-back passer.
Each will have plenty of targets at receiver, including the returning Millers – sophomore Dre’lon Miller and junior Omarion Miller. Dre’lon Miller played in all 13 games last year as a freshman. Omarion was limited by injury last year but is known for his breakout game in 2023 against Southern California – seven catches for 196 yards and a touchdown, all in the second half.
“The depth that we have is amazing,” Salter said.
Colorado quarterbacks ‘keep it friendly’
It helps that the quarterbacks get along despite the competition and controversy.
“JuJu, he’s a real funny guy,” Salter said. “Sometimes he do things and you gotta remind yourself he’s a 17-year-old kid. At the same time, he’s a hilarious dude. He’s fun to be around. He’s a competitor. He throws the ball with so much confidence.”
Lewis signed with Colorado in December about two weeks before Salter committed. He told USA TODAY Sports in July he expected Colorado coaches to bring in more depth at quarterback but “didn’t think it would be a guy of Kaidon’s caliber of course.”
Now they’re friends.
“Me and Kaidon talk about more about life than football, which I think has actually helped us build a better relationship off the field, just because quarterback battles are gonna be whatever quarterback battles are gonna be,” Lewis said. “Just trying to keep it friendly and just keep it team-related.”
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com