Deion Sanders is keeping his quarterback decision under wraps heading into Friday’s Big 12 opener.
While ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that third-stringer Ryan Staub will start against Houston, Coach Prime says no call has been made.
“In today’s media, it’s not about accuracy anymore, it’s about being first,” Sanders said Tuesday. “Nobody seems to care about being correct, and that doesn’t make sense to me. I wish the media still had the integrity it once did.”
Sanders did acknowledge that Staub has handled most of the practice reps this week. The redshirt sophomore impressed against Delaware, completing 70% of his passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns across four drives, three of which ended in the end zone. Staub looked in command of the offense, making pre-snap adjustments that led to two of Colorado’s biggest plays—a 71-yard score and a 36-yard strike to Sincere Brown.
“Leadership, knowing the full offense, and making things happen when plays break down—that’s what I want to see,” Sanders explained. “I believe a QB should be able to create three plays on his own each game. Staub did what we expected. You all might be surprised, but we’re not. We’re just proud he seized the moment like we talk about all the time.”
Sanders doesn’t want to juggle quarterbacks and plans to stick with one starter Friday. Kaidon Salter could get the nod for a third straight week, but momentum suggests Staub is close to earning a real shot at the job moving forward.
If he does start, it wouldn’t be his first. Staub filled in for an injured Shedeur Sanders in the 2023 regular-season finale and delivered, completing 70% of his throws for 195 yards and a touchdown without a pick.
“He’s going to give you everything,” Sanders said. “Last week he went from signaling plays to running the offense—that just doesn’t happen. This is a real-life story unfolding in front of you. Hats off to him—he’s the ultimate teammate.”