Ryan Staub assures Colorado football fans he'll be ready if Shedeur Sanders gets injured

Ryan Staub is ready to step in for Deion Sanders' Colorado football program if Coach Prime's youngest son, Shedeur Sanders, goes down with an injury again in 2024.

Shedeur suffered a back injury that forced Staub into the spotlight during the team's final game against Utah in 2023. While speaking to BuffZone's Brian Howell, Staub shared an attitude indicative of being cognizant that he can be QB1 any week given the injury spontaneity in the violent sport of football.

“I think in today’s day and age, there’s a lot of quick, impulsive sort of things,” Staub told BuffZone at CU’s fall sports media day on Friday. “I think a lot of good things happen from time and work and putting your head down and working, and I’m not afraid to compete a little bit more and wait out another year. There’s no rush. This is a long journey and I just want to set myself up for the best future for myself, as well, so I think it was the best decision.”

Ryan Staub and Dominiq Ponder are the two likeliest Colorado football QB2s behind Shedeur Sanders

Given the way the QB competition is shaking out in fall camp, it looks like it'll be Staub and Dominiq Ponder as the likeliest two Buffs backups under center. Things change quickly, as Staub pointed out, but there's not been much upward movement from SEC transfers Destin Wade and Walter Taylor III.

Ponder has seamlessly translated from Bethune-Cookman to shine this summer under an HBCU coaching alum in Sanders despite red-shirting and not yet seeing action in 2023. Staub was impressive under Pat Shurmur in 2023 in Salt Lake City in his one start last season.

Ponder is forcing wild conversations, but Staub is the most reliable guy in the room as of right now.

It's all about whether Sanders wants to gamble on Ponder's impressive measurables or Staub's steady hand running the offense in Week 13 last year.