Starter from Colorado football season finale expected to be QB2 in 2024
Colorado football quarterback Ryan Staub is expected to be the Buffs' QB2 behind Shedeur Sanders despite the additions of Vanderbilt's Walter Taylor and Kentucky's Destin Wade via the transfer portal according to DNVR's Jake Schwanitz.
"After being thrown into action against Nebraska and Washington State, Ryan Staub was able to approach the season finale at Utah as Colorado’s starting quarterback," Schwanitz prefaced before saying, "Staub executed Pat Shurmur’s game plan, got the ball out quickly and led Colorado’s offense with confidence. Because of that performance, Staub should be the early favorite to remain backup quarterback in 2024 but two SEC transfers will make their case this spring. Former Vanderbilt quarterback Walter Taylor has the ideal physical traits to play the position but has only thrown 15 career passes. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound sophomore is a handful in the run game and has been working alongside Shedeur’s private quarterback coach, Darrell Colbert.
"Like his twin brother, Destin Wade was a four-star recruit out of Tennessee who played for the Kentucky Wildcats the last two seasons. His only career start came against Iowa in the 2022 Music City Bowl as the Hawkeyes shut out the Wildcats. All three quarterbacks have limited on-field experience but the overall talent level behind Shedeur has increased dramatically. While the hope and goal is we see much less of the backup quarterback in 2024, the battle throughout spring football and into fall camp will be one of the most important storylines to follow this offseason."
Coach Prime proud of Ryan Staub after Colorado football debut as a starter in Week 13 against Utah
Coach Prime didn't tell Staub to jump in the portal and leave Boulder -- like he has many times before -- but he endorsed the West Ranch product finding a spot to start if he so wanted it following the 23-17 season finale back on November 25 against Utah's backup QB.
“I think after his performance today he wants to play somewhere," Coach Prime said of Staub (h/t BuffZone). "Whether it’s here or somewhere else, he wants to play. He proved that he could play. I’m proud of him. I’m really proud of him.”
Staub has competition now in the QB room, but he has several things Taylor and Wade don't yet have: the trust of Deion Sanders and real-time experience.