Colorado Backup QB Ryan Staub Set to Enter Transfer Portal After Three Seasons with Buffs
Another name is set to hit the transfer portal out of Boulder - and this one comes from the quarterback room. Ryan Staub, Colorado’s backup quarterback for the past two seasons, plans to enter the portal when it officially opens on Friday.
Staub has been with the Buffaloes since January 2023, making him one of the longer-tenured players on a roster that’s seen its fair share of turnover. Now a redshirt sophomore, he’ll leave with two years of eligibility remaining and some meaningful game reps under his belt - a rarity for a backup in today’s college football landscape.
Over his three seasons at CU, Staub completed 53-of-99 passes for 681 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. He added a rushing touchdown to his stat line as well. While those numbers don’t jump off the page, they represent a quarterback who was consistently ready when called upon - and at times, showed flashes of real potential.
His most notable stretch came in 2023, when he stepped in for an injured Shedeur Sanders in the season finale at Utah. In a tough road environment, Staub went 17-of-24 for 195 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 loss - a performance that earned praise for both his poise and efficiency.
Fast forward to 2024, and Staub began the season as the third-string quarterback. But when Colorado’s offense stalled early in the year, he got his chance.
Coming off the bench against Delaware on September 6, Staub delivered a spark - going 7-for-10 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. It was the kind of outing that can flip a depth chart, and it did.
He earned the start the following week against Houston, but the momentum didn’t carry over. Staub finished that game 19-of-35 for 204 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions in a 36-20 loss.
After that, his opportunities dwindled. He threw just 10 more passes the rest of the season, including a rough final outing on November 1 against Arizona, where he went 0-for-2 with two picks.
Staub’s decision to transfer comes amid a wave of departures from Colorado. Even before the portal officially reopens, 20 scholarship players have already announced their intention to leave the program. That number doesn’t even include safety Terrance Love and cornerback Kyle Carpenter, who exited during the season.
For Staub, the move signals a search for a fresh opportunity - likely one with a clearer path to playing time. He’s got experience, a strong arm, and two years left to prove what he can do. And in today’s college football world, that’s more than enough to draw interest.
As for Colorado, the quarterback room continues to evolve, with Shedeur Sanders still entrenched as the starter - but depth behind him now once again in flux.