Julian Lewis is the future at quarterback for Colorado - that much is clear. The five-star freshman brings elite talent and expectations to Boulder, and all signs point to him being the centerpiece of the Buffaloes’ offense moving forward. But while Lewis may be the long-term answer, the short-term question now shifts to depth behind him.
That question got a little more urgent on Monday when Ryan Staub announced he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal, with two years of eligibility remaining. Staub, who spent three seasons with the Buffs, saw limited action during his time in Boulder but was a steady presence in the quarterback room. Now, he’s looking for a new opportunity.
Staub’s time at Colorado was mostly spent behind Shedeur Sanders, who held the starting job for two seasons. The former three-star recruit had to wait his turn and saw only spot duty in 2025. But when opportunity knocked - specifically during the Delaware game when Deion Sanders rotated through three quarterbacks - Staub made enough of an impression to earn the start the following week against Houston.
That start was a mixed bag. Staub completed 19 of 35 passes for 204 yards, tossed one touchdown and two interceptions.
It wasn’t a breakout performance, but it did show flashes of what he could bring to the table. After that game, Staub spoke candidly about his journey and what kept him in Boulder up to that point.
“To be honest, I don’t know,” Staub said after the Delaware game, reflecting on why he stayed at Colorado. “I kind of fell in love with the process.
I really enjoyed being here. I enjoyed being in this building under our coach.
… I didn’t really know where I was at. I stuck my head down and just decided to keep working.
And I got rewarded for that.”
Now, with Staub on the move, Colorado’s quarterback room is down to just two names: Julian Lewis and Dominiq Ponder. And while Lewis is the clear-cut starter heading into 2026, the lack of depth behind him is something Deion Sanders and new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion can’t afford to ignore.
This is where things get tricky. With Lewis essentially locked in as QB1, convincing a capable quarterback to transfer in and serve as a backup won’t be easy.
That’s the double-edged sword of having a star freshman - it’s great for the future, but it makes the backup job a tough sell. Most quarterbacks in the portal are looking for a shot to start, not hold a clipboard.
And with the transfer portal making it easier than ever for players to move on if they’re not seeing the field, the Buffs are walking a fine line. Development and patience are harder to come by when a player can jump ship after one season of limited reps.
Still, while quarterback might not be Colorado’s most urgent roster concern right now, it’s a position that demands insurance. One injury, one unexpected twist, and suddenly depth matters a whole lot more. That’s why Sanders and Marion need to find someone willing to embrace the backup role - someone who can grow in the system, support Lewis, and be ready if called upon.
Staub’s departure doesn’t change the trajectory of the program, but it does create a gap that needs to be filled. And in today’s college football landscape, where quarterback rooms can flip overnight, that’s a challenge Colorado needs to meet head-on.