Kaidon Salter mentors JuJu Lewis as competition for Colorado’s QB1 unfolds.
Deion Sanders’ Confidant Sheds Light on Relationship Between Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis Amid QB Battle originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Colorado Buffaloes' quarterback room is under the spotlight this offseason as coach Deion Sanders prepares for a shift at the helm.
With both Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter gone to the NFL, the Buffaloes are navigating a new chapter and searching for players to step up into leadership roles on both sides of the ball.
Colorado football's assistant athletic trainer, Lauren Askevold, recently appeared as a guest on the “Raw Room” podcast, offering a look inside the emerging dynamic between incoming transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian “JuJu” Lewis, a five-star recruit who originally committed to play for the USC Trojans before flipping his commitment to Colorado in November.
Who Is the Favorite to Start for Colorado?
Salter and Lewis both appeared at Big 12 Media Days, signaling to fans and reporters that Coach Sanders views the position as wide open. That public pairing emphasized the gravity of the choice the coaching staff must make well before the season opener.
Salter brings collegiate experience from the Liberty Flames, with three productive seasons and leadership qualities born of maturity. Last season, he delivered 1,886 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions for Liberty.
His ability to manage the offense and adapt on the fly puts him in early conversations as the front runner.
On the other hand, JuJu Lewis, at just 17, has impressed practice observers with poise and accuracy that belie his age.
How Kaidon Salter Mentors Julian Lewis in Camp
Askevold’s podcast comments shed light on a nontraditional quarterback competition rooted in mentorship rather than rivalry. She noted that Salter “educates JuJu” and “takes JuJu under his wing,” suggesting a supportive atmosphere in Boulder.
That kind of leadership from an older teammate can elevate a freshman’s confidence and speed up his development in the spring and fall camps.
Askevold added that the absence of marquee names like Shedeur Sanders and Hunter is noticeable, and the team may lack the star power it had last season. But she highlighted that overall team cohesion appears stronger than in recent seasons.
In this context, Salter’s guidance of Lewis could serve as a stabilizing force in building offensive chemistry and locker-room trust.
Choosing between Salter’s experience and Lewis’ potential is not simply a matter of on-field skill. It also reflects a shift toward building team identity around collaboration, not just competition. The quarterback decision will shape Colorado’s offensive structure and locker-room tone heading into a Big 12 slate that includes games against national contenders.
Coach Sanders and his staff are expected to select a starter ahead of the August opener against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, but the evolving relationship between Salter and Lewis is already a defining storyline in Boulder.
Related: Colorado’s Athletic Trainer Has Blunt Response to Deion Sanders’ Retirement Rumors
Related: Deion Sanders Responds to Charlie Offerdahl’s Tough Decision with Final Act of Grace
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
