Most teams should probably panic after losing their starting quarterback and a generational two-way player. Not Colorado. And apparently, not Joel Klatt either.
The former Buffs QB turned Fox Sports analyst was on The Herd with Colin Cowherd when he said he doesn’t expect Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes to take a major step back in 2025—even with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter off to the NFL.
“I don’t see them taking a huge step back, maybe a small one,” Klatt said. “They’ve recruited at a very high level, and they’ve brought in a couple of quarterbacks.”
A New Era Begins in Boulder: Salter, JuJu Lewis, and the QB Reload
The quarterback room is under construction—but it’s not empty.
Kaidon Salter, a seasoned transfer from Liberty, is expected to take the reins as QB1. He threw for nearly 1,900 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, tossing just six picks in the process. Not flashy, but dependable—and that’s exactly what this team needs in a transition year.
Then there’s Julian “JuJu” Lewis, the former USC commit and the most talked-about freshman quarterback in the country. If Salter falters or Lewis simply shines too bright to ignore, Deion has options. And make no mistake—having a QB battle like this is a luxury, not a liability.
Offensive Line Still the Big Question Mark
Here’s where Klatt’s optimism comes with a dose of realism.
“They need to continue to get better at the line of scrimmage,” he said bluntly.
And he’s right. The Buffs lost two key linemen—Zack Owens and Cash Cleveland—to the portal, and while the future is bright for Jordan Seaton, experience on the offensive line doesn’t grow overnight.
With a revamped unit in front of Salter or Lewis, protecting the quarterback will be priority number one. Because without time in the pocket, it's not going to matter who’s back there.
Big 12 Depth Is the Wild Card
Replacing Shedeur and Travis is one thing. Surviving the Big 12? That’s another beast.
“The more difficult part for me... is that league, the Big 12,” Klatt added. “Could Colorado be a four-win team? Maybe. Could they be a nine-win team? Maybe.”
Vegas odds agree—it’s wide open. The worst team in the conference is projected at 5.5 wins. The best? Just 8.5. That’s a razor-thin margin for 16 teams.
This conference is about depth. And that’s both good and bad news for the Buffs. Every Saturday is going to be a fight. But every Saturday is winnable, too.
The Schedule Starts Fast — But So Could the Buffs
Colorado opens the 2025 season at home against Georgia Tech on August 29. It's a non-conference game, but one that’ll give us a first glimpse at the post-Shedeur, post-Travis Buffs.
We’ll find out quickly if Salter’s leadership, JuJu’s upside, and Coach Prime’s portal magic are enough to keep CU in the Big 12 hunt. And don’t forget—with Colorado going 9-4 last year and finishing 7-2 in the conference—they’re not sneaking up on anybody this time around.
So will they keep this momentum going without their stars?
That’s the million-dollar question. But if you ask Joel Klatt, the answer is yes—and he's one of the few you should listen to.
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