Deion Sanders Won't Confirm that Colorado is Starting Ryan Staub at QB in Week 3

The Colorado Buffaloes are potentially making a change under center.

Colorado is expected to start redshirt sophomore Ryan Staub at quarterback in its Week 3 road matchup against the Houston Cougars on Friday night, which is also the Buffaloes' Big 12 season opener, ESPN reported on Tuesday morning.

Deion Sanders confirmed that Ryan Staub is indeed taking the majority of snaps in practice. 

That's as far as the Colorado head coach would go, though. He declined to confirm ESPN's report that Staub is expected to go from third-stringer to starter for Colorado’s Big 12 opener Friday night at Houston.

"I haven’t made that assessment and decision yet," Sanders said Tuesday. He had nothing but positive things to say about Staub himself, however.

"He's the ultimate teammate. He’s the ultimate character guy. Those are the type of guys that we’re looking for,' Sanders said. "Oftentimes, those guys don’t come with the three, four or five stars that you guys get excited about. I’m looking more at, ‘Can they play here? Do they fit who we are?’"

Sanders pointed out Staub's role before stepping on the field last weekend was relaying signals.

"Going from giving signals to getting in the game?" Sanders said. 'Come on, man, that don't happen. This is a real-life story that's happening right before your eyes.'

Staub came off the bench in the first half of Colorado's Week 2 win over Delaware, throwing for 157 yards and two touchdowns, while posting a 267.9 passer rating and completing 70.0% of his passes. Liberty transfer and fifth-year senior Kaidon Salter started Colorado's first two games, with freshman Julian Lewis making appearances in Week 2.

Staub, who has spent his entire collegiate career in Boulder (2023-present), started Colorado's last game of the 2023 season, as then-starter Shedeur Sanders had a back fracture. This will be the second start of Staub's career.

Colorado opened the season with a 27-20 loss at home to Georgia Tech, which it followed with a 31-7 win over Delaware in a game that saw the Buffaloes lead just 10-7 with 45 seconds remaining in the first half. Across two games, Salter has totaled 261 passing yards, one passing touchdown, zero interceptions and a 125.5 passer rating, while completing 68.2% of his passes. Salter has also rushed for 67 yards and two touchdowns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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