A new era is underway in Boulder. With Shedeur Sanders off to the NFL, the Buffs are searching for their next field general. And the race is heating up. However, leading the charge? Kaidon Salter — the electric transfer from Liberty. He’s got one year left and came to make it count. Salter brings experience, swagger, and a dual-threat edge. But don’t count out another young gun. Freshman phenom Julian Lewis is right in the mix. A four-star recruit with sky-high potential, he’s not just there to learn — he’s there to compete. It’s a battle of a vet vs. a prodigy, but only one can lead Coach Prime’s offense. So the big question looms: who’s taking the reins in 2025?

Well, Kaidon Salter isn’t just a transfer — he’s a proven winner. In 2024, he threw for 1,886 yards and 15 TDs, with six picks and a 56.3% completion rate. However, on the ground? He added 587 rushing yards and 7 more scores. So, a true dual-threat weapon. Now, with a 20-4 record as a college starter, Salter brings experience and confidence. That makes him the early favorite to win the job. But freshman Julian Lewis is no ordinary backup. Ranked No. 56 nationally, the No. 7 QB, and the No. 7 player out of Georgia — he came to Boulder with buzz. He’s already gone through spring ball and got reps in the spring game.

Simply put, the QB battle is officially on. And it’s heating up fast. Now, on May 17, Kaidon Salter lit a spark. He took to his Instagram story with a bold, five-word message aimed straight at Coach Prime and Julian Lewis: “I WILL WIN I PROMISE.” No fluff. Just fire. The post wasn’t just a quote — it was a statement. A mindset. A declaration of self-belief. Salter isn’t here to sit. He’s here to lead. With that one message, he turned up the heat on CU’s QB1 race. So, the competition just got personal — and a whole lot more intense.

Not only this, last month, Kaidon Salter sent a clear message — he’s confident and ready to lead. With his starting experience at Liberty, he knows what it takes. “At the end of the day, once you are that starting quarterback at a young age, you just going to start seeing it happen, like the team going to it every time the ball moves how you want it to move on the field. Yeah, I don’t really know. It’s something that just happens,” said Salter. So, Salter’s calm swagger shows — he’s not just talking. He’s ready to own the moment.

On the flip side, Julian Lewis made a bold move — reclassifying to the class of 2025. Because he felt ready for CFB. But readiness doesn’t always mean right now. At just 17 and without a single regular-season snap, Lewis might need time to adjust. That’s where Kaidon Salter comes in. The veteran looks primed to win the job in August. But don’t count Lewis out just yet. If the season takes a turn or momentum shifts, the freshman phenom could be the one leading the charge by year’s end. It’s not just a QB battle — it’s a story in the making.

Well, according to On3, this QB battle is far from a done deal. Yes, Kaidon Salter is the favorite — for now. Sources expect him to take the reins early. But don’t sleep on Lewis. He’s been turning heads behind the scenes. Some insiders say he could steal the job outright. However, the spring game gave fans their first look. While Salter looked calm, collected, and in control, Lewis was not up to the mark. But Lewis still has summer — and the season — to make his move. So, this battle might just go the distance.

But hold on — in the end, it’s Coach Prime’s decision. So, hearing his thoughts on the two contending quarterbacks can clear the air a bit.

Coach Prime on Kaidon Salter vs. Julian Lewis

During spring practice media day, Coach Deion Sanders shared his thoughts on the QB battle. He’s impressed — and for good reason. “They’re getting better and better,” said Sanders. Adding, “They’re starting to understand the system. It’s tougher on (offensive coordinator) Pat (Shurmur) and our offensive coaches because you have two different types of quarterbacks. You’re pretty much calling in two different offenses. When this guy’s in, you call it this way. When this guy’s in, you called it that way.” So, two QBs, two styles, and two challenges. But one clear goal — winning.

Although the Buffs’ head coach hasn’t named a starter yet, he’s optimistic. The battle between Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis isn’t cooling off anytime soon. Here, coach Sanders crushed rumors that Lewis would be redshirted, hinting both QBs could see real action this season. Now, this quarterback competition is shaping up to be one of the hottest storylines all summer long.

Plus, 2025 marks a new chapter for Coach Prime — his first season leading a Buffs QB who isn’t his son. So, the stakes? Higher than ever. Now it’s going to be interesting to see who wins the QB1 job and who has to wait longer.