With Shedeur Sanders poised to enter the NFL Draft this spring following his record-breaking tenure at Colorado, the Buffaloes face a critical turning point at quarterback. Sanders has long been projected as a first-round talent, and barring any surprises, his departure means that head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders must identify the next field general to guide the offense. It appears that search may already be over.
According to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports, former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter is transferring to Colorado. While nothing is set in stone until he hits the field, Salter appears primed to take the starting role under center for the 2025 campaign.
“Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter has signed with Colorado, @On3sports has learned,” Nakos wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Salter’s recent career path is intriguing. In 2024, the Flames’ signal-caller had a modest season, finishing 8-3 as a starter and completing 56.3% of his passes for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Those numbers are respectable but hardly the stuff of headlines.
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However, it’s the 2023 version of Salter that undoubtedly caught Coach Prime’s eye. That year, Salter delivered a standout performance that placed him among the nation’s premier Group of Five quarterbacks.
With a 61% completion rate, he amassed 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns through the air, translating to a remarkable touchdown rate of roughly 11% per pass attempt.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. Salter earned Conference USA MVP honors and claimed MVP in the Conference USA Championship Game, as Liberty finished 13-1 and earned a place at No. 25 in the final AP poll.
Replicating that 2023 success at Colorado won’t be simple. For starters, Salter will not have the same luxury of offensive firepower that Shedeur Sanders enjoyed. The Buffaloes’ top wideout, Travis Hunter—a two-way phenom who played a pivotal role in the passing game—will join Shedeur in the NFL Draft after the Alamo Bowl. Hunter accounted for a staggering portion of Colorado’s aerial production: over a quarter of their passing yardage and more than a third of their touchdown receptions this past season.
The attrition doesn’t end there. Colorado’s receiving corps is expected to lose at least two of its other top four targets after the bowl game, leaving Salter with an inexperienced cast of pass-catchers.
If he is to lead the Buffaloes back to relevance, Salter must quickly establish chemistry with whoever remains or arrives via the transfer portal. He’ll need to master the system, elevate young talent, and find ways to overcome the absence of proven playmakers.
As if that weren’t challenging enough, the long-term stability of the Colorado program remains a talking point around college football.
Deion Sanders’ rapid success and profile have inevitably drawn speculation that he could be courted by other Power Five programs or even consider an NFL coaching role.
While nothing concrete suggests Coach Prime will depart, it is an ever-present narrative that could affect Salter’s situation and continuity within the program.
All told, Salter’s transfer to Colorado sets the stage for a pivotal year. If he can rediscover the magic of his 2023 run at Liberty—utilizing his accuracy, decision-making, and red-zone efficiency—he could usher in a new era of Buffaloes football. But the pressure is on.
The margin for error is slim, and the circumstances he inherits are far from ideal.
With a reshuffled roster, sky-high expectations, and the shadow of a beloved former quarterback lingering, Kaidon Salter’s 2025 season in Boulder will be one of the most intriguing storylines in college football.
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