Deion Sanders is heading into his third year at Colorado, and for the first time, he won’t have his son Shedeur running the offense. Even so, he sounds relaxed about the Buffaloes’ quarterback spot. His message: the team can win with either option on the roster.

The competition is between two very different players. Julian “JuJu” Lewis is a 17-year-old freshman known for his poise and touch as a passer, drawing comparisons to how Shedeur operated the offense last season. Kaidon Salter, a transfer from Liberty, brings big-play mobility and experience, giving Colorado a true dual-threat look. Sanders hasn’t ruled out getting creative and using both.

What fans should expect: if Lewis gets the nod, the attack likely leans into a rhythm passing game similar to last year. If Salter starts, you’ll probably see more designed runs and improvisation to stress defenses. Either way, Sanders isn’t rushing a public decision, and it wouldn’t be a shock if the starter stays under wraps right up to kickoff against Georgia Tech on Thursday, August 29 (8 p.m. ET).

Colorado is trying to build on last season’s step forward. The Buffs finished 9–4 in 2024 and fell to BYU 36–14 in the Alamo Bowl — still a notable jump that helped propel both Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter into the NFL this spring. That’s a lot of star power to replace, but the staff believes the new offense can keep things moving.

Inside the QB room, the vibe has stayed positive. Lewis and Salter have kept the competition friendly, and they’re being coached by offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur with added mentorship from Byron Leftwich. Colorado also wants a stronger ground game after struggling to run last year; NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk joined the staff to help push that turnaround.

Bottom line: Sanders sounds genuinely confident. Whether the ball is in Lewis’ hands, Salter’s, or both, he thinks Colorado has what it needs to start fast and keep the momentum going into 2025.