It wasn’t just a disappointing season for Deion Sanders and Colorado, it was yet another referendum on how a combination of annual roster turnover and the program’s recruiting process has turned off potential talent with disruptive, short-term pursuits.
That same philosophy, unsurprisingly, is rebuilding the Buffaloes heading into spring football, as the team saw 37 players enter the transfer portal and 43 total new arrivals following a 3-9 finish to Sanders’ third season in Boulder. But across a world of needs for Colorado this year, the game’s most important position, quarterback, isn’t one of them.
Returning sophomore Julian “JuJu” Lewis is the leading candidate after throwing for 589 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions as the backup to Kaidon Salter last year. Dominiq Ponder is the only other returner with any on-field experience at Colorado; Ryan Staub, throwing for 427 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions, transferred to Tennessee with two years of eligibility.
The room replaces those two openings with freshman signee Kaneal Sweetwyne and Utah transfer Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of BYU alum Zach Wilson.
Former Sacramento State head coach Brennan Marion replaced Pat Shurmur as Colorado’s offensive playcaller last December, and how high-tempo, no-huddle offense fits into the Sanders universe greatly depends on who wins the quarterback competition.
JULIAN LEWIS (CARROLLTON, GA)
A former five-star recruit, Lewis looks poised to attack the starting job following four appearances – three of which in Big 12 play – as a sophomore. The body growth and maturity of his second offseason is a major factor, and his retention by Colorado means he’s got faith in Sanders and the Buffaloes to take the steep his career needs in 2026.
ISAAC WILSON (DRAPER, UT)
Brother of Miami Dolphins quarterback Zach Wilson, Isaac Wilson has a bit of portal history at Utah before finally opting to leave after his sophomore season. The younger Wilson threw for 1,510 and 10 touchdowns as a true freshman in 2024, entered the portal and then withdrew for the 2025 season where he’d appear just once against Colorado of all teams. Isaac has three years of eligibility and the former four-star Corner Canyon High School product raises the competitive ceiling at Colorado whether or not he plays.
KANEAL SWEETWYNE (LEHI, UT)
Another Utah product heading east for the Rockies, Sweetnye committed to Colorado after previous commitments to BYU and N.C. State. As a senior at Skyridge, Sweetnye threw for 3,050 yards, 32 touchdowns and 15 interceptions; He’d finish his career with nearly 2,000 yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground. He’s a young quarterback that brings tremendous upside and a lot to learn in his first year in Boulder. Disperse snaps where you can, but expect Sweetnye to preserve his eligibility and redshirt.
DOMINIQ PONDER (OPA LOCKA, FL)
Ponder actually returns the most experience as a third-year returner to Colorado’s quarterback room. Transferring from Bethune Cookman in 2024, Ponder didn’t see action until last season (one pass attempt and two rushes for negative yardage). He’s a former top-200 quarterback prospect from the 247 Sports Class of 2022. With hardly any FBS tape, Ponder returns to the program in hopes of carving out snaps of his own amid a healthy quarterback battle. At the least, he’ll get another year battling his way through a Big 12 quality quarterback race.
