To read the companion piece to this article arguing for Ryan Staub, click here.
After Colorado’s big win over Delaware on Saturday, the Buffs have suddenly found themselves in the midst of a quarterback battle. Third-stringer Ryan Staub’s efficient play sparked discussion among fans after passing for 157 yards and two touchdowns with limited snaps against the Blue Hens, leaving fans divided on who they want under center for the Buffs going forward. Head coach Deion Sanders insists he knows how the team
will proceed in Friday night’s road matchup against Houston, but I am here to make the case that senior Kaidon Salter remains the best option to lead this team.
The Good
Through two games, Salter has put together a productive and efficient start to the year. He has completed 30 of 44 passes for 261 yards and one touchdown, showing accuracy in short and intermediate throws while limiting mistakes. On the ground, his mobility has been a difference maker. He has carried the ball 22 times for 68 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Buffs an added dimension that neither Staub nor freshman Julian Lewis currently provides.
Just as importantly, Salter has taken care of the football. Zero turnovers through two games is a stat that will always earn a quarterback trust in the locker room and with the coaching staff. Combine that with his four years of experience at Liberty, Salter is the guy for the job. Compared to Staub, a sophomore, and Lewis, a true freshman, it’s clear Salter has the edge in maturity and command.
I also believe Salter has the best command of the pocket and overall feel for the game. Throughout both contests, he routinely stepped up to avoid rushers and scramble when necessary. He has shown the ability to sidestep pressure and keep his eyes downfield to identify open receivers, which is a skill that’s hard to teach. The next step for Salter is slowing the game down, setting his feet and delivering the ball on target.
After seeing all three quarterbacks last Saturday, it was clear to me that Salter was the only one consistently capable of climbing the pocket to put himself in a better position to throw or run. In contrast, both Staub and Lewis displayed a tendency to take deep drop backs, which puts the offensive line at an immediate disadvantage. Pocket presence is something that develops with experience, and it’s a trait Colorado will need from their starter in conference play against stronger defenses. Salter’s edge in this area may not stand out against an opponent like Delaware, but his comfort in the pocket will matter when facing premier pass rushing units.
The Bad
Now time to play a little devil’s advocate.
While the numbers are solid, the eye test has left some room for concern. Against Georgia Tech in Week One, Salter missed several throws that could have changed the outcome of drives. On three separate possessions, the stalled series could be traced back to Salter throwing inaccurately off-platform instead of setting his feet or choosing to scramble. These missed opportunities are amplified when playing quality opponents, and the coaching staff knows that consistency is what separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
Sanders acknowledged this in his press conference after Georgia Tech, saying that he thought there were occasions where he thought Salter should have tucked the ball and run instead of throwing. I’m not convinced Salter did the same after he doubled down after Georgia Tech, saying that he wanted to showcase his ability as a passer.
To me, the most troubling issue does not show up on the stat sheet. In Week One against Georgia Tech, Salter appeared to show frustration with his receivers at times. A senior quarterback has to set the tone for leadership, and the coaching staff will not tolerate finger pointing. Deion Sanders has emphasized accountability at every level of the program, especially at quarterback, and that’s an area where I think Salter needs to improve. If Salter cannot own mistakes and grow from them, his leash will be short no matter how talented he is, and that’s not what the Buffs (or Salter) need.
Thankfully, these concerns are all in areas that should be able to be easily improved or fixed. CU’s coaching staff should be able to talk to Salter and get him settled down when rolling out of the pocket, as well as emphasize the importance of being patient and setting his feet before throwing. Improvement in his accountability should also come with time, as he gets more familiar with his teammates and the offensive scheme.
Outlook
This is Salter’s final year of eligibility, which makes it his last chance to put together the kind of season that could open doors for him at the next level. The tools are there—his running ability, his ball security, and his experience all give Colorado its best chance to win games right now. Although Staub has been with the program for three years, he’s only played one meaningful game at the college level. Salter’s years of experience are invaluable to the Buffs. The question now is whether Salter can clean up the missed throws and embrace the leadership role the position demands.
As for the competition, Staub impressed against Delaware, but that was against one of the weakest teams in the FBS. His performance should be taken with a grain of salt until proven against stronger opponents. Lewis, though talented, is still a true freshman who needs time to develop. I believe there was a very intentional choice to give Staub and Salter the majority of the playing time, as Lewis hasn’t quite been able to slow the game down yet.
For now, the depth chart should read Salter at the top, Staub as the backup, and Lewis as the developmental third option. The Buffs’ ceiling this season is highest with Salter under center, and while he is not a perfect player, he gives Colorado the best odds to win going forward.
