Colorado's quarterback competition one of the top battles in college football
Of course, we are talking about the quarterback, which has been a tightly contested battle through two weeks. The two leading candidates, Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis, are expected to provide an answer closer to Colorado's Week 1 game against Georgia Tech.
USA TODAY Sports named Colorado's quarterback competition one of the biggest battles left in college football. Other top programs are also going to try to find a starter, including Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and fellow Big 12 school BYU.
USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg had this to say about the Salter-Lewis battle happening in Boulder:
That both players were part of Colorado's contingent at last month's media day speaks to where things stand in the competition to replace Shedeur Sanders – basically, that we're still at a neck-and-neck standstill. Lewis was a major recruit who clearly represents the program's future at the position. Salter was productive across three years at Liberty, highlighted by his 32 touchdown passes two years ago to help the Flames reach the Fiesta Bowl. Will Deion Sanders choose this level of proven Group of Five production over potential?
If I were given a say in the matter, which I am not, I'd go with Salter as the Buffs' Week 1 starter. His starting experience could be invaluable over the 17-year-old Lewis. Deion Sanders believes Colorado can "play well with either of them," which makes the decision even more clouded. Could we see both quarterbacks play meaningful snaps in 2025? Myerberg thinks it is certainly possible.
"Given the Buffaloes' important non-conference matchup with Georgia Tech to open the year, Salter would be the safer pick out of the gate," Myerberg wrote. "But he'll need to produce to fend off Lewis, who will be the starter sooner or later."
Salter should hold the advantage over Lewis for most of the season if he puts up numbers anything close to his 2023 season at Liberty, where he won Conference USA MVP and was arguably the top-performing dual-threat quarterback in the country.
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