With Shedeur Sanders officially in the NFL, the Buffs find themselves staring down the biggest storyline of the offseason—the quarterback battle—and Coach Prime didn’t shy away from it at Big 12 Media Days.
"We brought both of them because I don’t know which one is going to start. "Sanders when asked about QB battle
Just like that, Colorado’s post-Shedeur quarterback situation became the headline of the Big 12 Media Days.
Not because it’s controversial, but because it confirms what we’ve all been wondering. This race is wide open, and Coach Prime is making no attempt to hide it.
Coach Prime on Colorado's QBs: "We brought both of them because I don't know who's going to start.
— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) July 9, 2025
"Kaidon (Salter) is off the chain ... JuJu (Lewis) is coming around the mountain when he comes. We can't lose either way with either of those two."
Bringing both Salter and Lewis to Frisco, tells us everything. If there was a starter, he would’ve been the lone QB repping the Buffs on that stage. Instead, we got a look at two guys who are about to go to war for the most high-profile job in Boulder.
And from what we’re hearing, it’s going to be a battle.
A classic quarterback dilemma
Salter brings experience. He’s a dynamic athlete who’s been through the fire at Liberty. He knows how to win, but consistency has always been a question mark.
Some analysts have questioned how he fits into Pat Shurmur’s offense, which is built around timing and precision.
Then there’s JuJu Lewis—arguably one of the most exciting prospects we’ve ever landed. He’s young, but the upside is through the roof. And with the way recruiting and the transfer portal work now, sitting him too long could be a risk in itself.
“We can’t lose either way, with either of those two,” Sanders said. But as Buffs fans, we know that picking the right one matters more than ever.
Prime's first true QB decision
For the first time since arriving in Boulder, Coach Prime has a real quarterback decision to make. He’s only coached one guy in that role so far: his son. Now, he’s got to evaluate this thing objectively. And the stakes are high.
The Buffs are entering a stacked Big 12. The margin for error? Not huge. If we want to compete this year, we need offensive rhythm early.
Whoever wins the job has to lead—not just in the huddle, but in the locker room, the media, and under some serious pressure.
As Cody Williams of our team at FanSided put it this week: “The more important thing for Colorado is to pick a lane and ride in it.”
Couldn’t agree more. It’s not about rushing the decision. It’s about getting it right before Georgia Tech shows up in Boulder on August 29.
What we are watching for
Expect this battle to carry into August. And that’s not a bad thing. It means the competition is real. It means we’ve got two talented players pushing each other, not one default starter by circumstance.
If Salter wins, which I expect at first, we get a senior with big-game experience and dual-threat ability. If Lewis wins, we ride with the future, and the fanbase will rally behind him fast.
Either way, we’re watching the identity of this offense take shape in real time. It’s uncomfortable, sure. But it’s also a sign of progress.
We’re no longer clinging to one star, as Colorado is now building a new system that can compete after the Shedeur era.
Coach Prime said it himself: “As long as it plays out… we can’t lose.”
Let’s hope he’s right. Because this isn’t just about Week 1—it’s about who we are come December.
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