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Is Kaidon Salter the Right Man for the Job?
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Barring injury, or a great summer from freshman Julian Lewis, former Liberty quarterback Kaidon Salter will be taking the first snap of the season against Georgia Tech on August 29th.
No one is expecting Salter to post the numbers put up by Shedeur Sanders, who set over 100 school records on his way to being named the 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award winner, given to the nation’s best quarterback.
But, if Colorado is going to come anywhere within shouting distance of the Big 12 title game this November, Salter is going to have to have an exceptional season.
Question is: Is Salter the man for the job?
Salter’s Journey to Colorado
Kaidon Salter’s football journey has been anything but conventional. Originally a highly regarded four-star recruit out of Cedar Hill High School in Texas, Salter initially committed to play for the University of Tennessee. However, off-the-field issues led to a brief and ultimately unfulfilled tenure there. Rather than let that setback define his career, Salter took a different route—transferring to Liberty University, where he matured both on and off the field.
At Liberty, under head coach Hugh Freeze and later Jamey Chadwell, Salter honed his skills and transformed into one of the most electric quarterbacks in the Group of Five. In the 2023 season, he put together a spectacular campaign, completing over 60% of his passes for more than 2,750 yards and throwing 32 touchdowns to just six interceptions. But perhaps more impressive was his ground game—he rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns, making him a true dual-threat weapon. His performance helped lead Liberty to an undefeated regular season, a Conference USA title, and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl.
In 2024, though, both Liberty and Salter took a step back. The Flames finished with an 8-3 regular season mark (a game against Appalachian State in September was canceled due to the effects of Hurricane Helene), with Liberty falling in the Bahamas Bowl to Buffalo to finish 8-4 overall.
Salter completed 147-of-261 passes (56.3%) for 1,886 yards, with 15 touchdowns to go with six interceptions and 19 sacks. His rushing stats also fell off, with 114 carries for 587 yards and seven touchdowns (Salter was third on the team in rushing, which included a 1,200 yard rusher … Salter’s numbers in 2024 would have easily led the Buffs in every rushing category).
In the 247 Transfer Portal rankings, the recruiting service listed 15 four-star quarterback transfers, including the likes of Carson Beck (to Miami), Conner Weigman (to Houston), and Walker White (to Baylor).
Salter was listed as the No. 16 transfer quarterback, the highest-rated three-star transfer. Good, but not great.
The problem for Coach Prime and the coaching staff, though, was that CU had just signed five-star freshman quarterback Julian Lewis. As a result, coming to Boulder for a single season was a gamble for transfers, with no guarantee of a starting position.
What Coach Prime was looking for was a tough needle to thread … a quality quarterback with starting experience, but one which was also prepared to fight for a job.
Kaidon Salter fit those criteria.
Why Colorado? The Perfect Match
Coach Prime’s CU Buffs are not a typical Power Five team. They’ve become a national talking point not just because of Sanders’ presence but also because of the rapid transformation underway in Boulder. From reshaping the roster via the transfer portal to bringing a cultural overhaul with media attention and high expectations, Colorado is crafting a new identity. That identity centers on confidence and results—traits that align seamlessly with Salter’s own game.
Salter’s playing style fits perfectly within the offensive philosophy being built at Colorado. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has experience in both college and the NFL, and his system thrives with quarterbacks who can improvise and extend plays. Unlike traditional pocket passers, Salter brings mobility, vision, and creativity, which gives the Buffs a dynamic weapon at the most important position on the field. Whether it’s escaping a collapsing pocket or executing a designed quarterback run, Salter adds a dimension that makes defenses second-guess every snap.
Perhaps what’s most underrated about Salter is his development as a leader. His journey from Tennessee to Liberty, and now to Colorado, wasn’t without personal growth. At Liberty, coaches and teammates spoke highly of his leadership in the locker room and on the field. After becoming the starter, Salter consistently displayed poise in high-pressure situations. He led several late-game drives, remained composed when trailing, and often served as the emotional spark for his team.
Coach Prime, known for his focus on character and accountability, would not entrust Colorado’s offense to someone he didn’t believe in. In interviews, Sanders has emphasized the importance of culture and discipline. That Salter earned his trust is a testament to how far the young quarterback has come in terms of maturity and leadership. He’s no longer just an athletic phenom—he’s a player who can command a huddle, lead a team, and represent a program.
The Competition: The Big 12
One of the reasons that Buff fans haven’t heard as much national chatter about Kaidon Salter is the plethora of quality quarterbacks in the Big 12.
Sam Leavitt returns to Arizona State, having just led the Sun Devils to the Big 12 title. Avery Johnson (Kansas State), Jake Retzlaff (BYU), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), and Behren Morton (Texas Tech) are all proven winners, while teams like Utah (Devon Dampier) and Houston (Conner Weigman) are looking to proven transfers to lead their team.
In preseason rankings, Salter is not given much love, being ranked 12th in the conference by Athlon, 11th by the Deseret News, and 10th by the Sporting News (though 4th by Sports Illustrated).
The Competition: In the CU locker room
The first two seasons of the Coach Prime era at Colorado were the Shedeur Sanders years. Ryan Staub was available as a backup, but there was a significant drop off between Sanders and the rest of the quarterback room.
This fall, there is a true competition between Salter and true freshman Julian Lewis. While most observers believe that the starting job is Salter’s to lose, there are no guarantees that the Liberty transfer will be the starter in2025.
Perhaps the competition will be good for the players, with both Salter and Lewis raising their games.
Hopefully there won’t be a rift in the locker room, with players choosing sides as to their personal favorite.
Post-Shedeur Era: A Big Opportunity
Shedeur Sanders redefined what was possible at Colorado. He brought star power, a strong arm, and a fearless mentality. But with Sanders now competing for a job with the Cleveland Browns, the door is open for someone else to pick up the mantle. Enter Kaidon Salter.
Salter is stepping into a high-profile role, but he’s uniquely equipped to handle it. He has experience playing in front of hostile crowds, has been battle-tested in bowl games, and has dealt with the weight of expectations. With Colorado continuing to upgrade its offensive line and receiving corps, Salter is positioned to thrive immediately. He’s not just replacing Sanders—he’s bringing a new flavor to the position.
Colorado’s 2025 schedule is tough, but not impossible in the wide open Big 12, and having a quarterback like Salter means the Buffs can remain competitive in every game. His improvisational style may even give them an edge against teams unprepared for a mobile quarterback who can throw accurately from multiple platforms.
A New Era Dawns in Boulder
The 2025 season could be one of the most pivotal in Colorado football history. With Deion Sanders continuing to rebuild the program, and the Buffs seeking to prove they belong among the elite, the importance of quarterback play cannot be overstated. In Kaidon Salter, Colorado may have found not only a capable successor to Shedeur Sanders but a quarterback with the potential to redefine the program’s ceiling.
Salter represents more than just talent—he represents resilience, growth, and possibility. His journey from Tennessee to Liberty to Boulder reflects a young man who has faced adversity and emerged stronger. Now, with the keys to CU’s offense in his hands, he has the opportunity to leave a legacy that goes far beyond wins and touchdowns.
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5 Replies to “Is Kaidon Salter the Right Man for the Job?”
I may be the only one pulling for Ryan to win the job. It would mean he earned it. It would be a great story in the era of portalling. Not to mention the aspect of people still griping about Deion’s use of the portal.
Three months?
Go Buffs
I don’t understand the hype of the likes of Dampier and Weigman over Salter. Neither of them led their teams to a 13-1 record and a major bowl as a Group of 5 QB. I think Dampier is very good and wish he hadn’t gone to Utah, but Salter has accomplished more. Time will tell.
Great article. One question, why did his numbers fall in 24 compared to the 23 campaign? Coaching & staff changes, O-line losses, skilled WR’s losses, why?
Because the young man who went undefeated in 23 with those numbers could be THE MAN in Boulder. Especially if the O-line can give Salter AND a RB room to work.
A true dual threat QB! The Buffs have gone up against more of those than they have had, who was the last true dual threat QB at CU?
I believe there was a big drop off at wr talent. Now a 100% but that is what I remember hearing.
“Salter’s playing style fits perfectly within the offensive philosophy being built at Colorado. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has experience in both college and the NFL, and his system thrives with quarterbacks who can improvise and extend plays. ”
In a way that scares me. While it was easy to focus on the strength of Shedeur’s arm that’s all he did and from where I sit he did absolutely nothing to help minimize the weaknesses. Are we going to see another one dimensional offense around Salter? Well maybe one and half dimension as Salter will be the whole running game too?