Colorado’s quarterback carousel has grown even more intriguing this week as reports surfaced that third‑string quarterback Ryan Staub is expected to start Friday’s Big 12 opener against Houston. The narrative picked up steam after Staub’s sudden standout performance in a 31‑7 win over Delaware last Saturday, which prompted questions about whether Coach Deion Sanders has finally settled on his signal‑caller for the season.
Staub, a redshirt sophomore who had been firmly buried behind transfer Kaidon Salter and freshman Julian Lewis on the depth chart, entered the game against Delaware mid‑second quarter. He caught fire immediately, completing 7 of 10 passes for 157 yards and two touchdowns—the first a 21‑yard score to DeKalon Taylor as time expired in the first half, followed by a 71‑yard bomb to Sincere Brown on the opening drive of the second half
The performance was electric, shifting momentum and prompting Deion Sanders to ride the “hot hand” of Staub. Early in the game, Salter started and led the team to a two‑score lead; Lewis got his chance but struggled to make an impact; and then Staub—unflappable, as Sanders put it—took over, leading four drives and accounting for 21 points
Analysts and fans responded in kind. Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III emphatically weighed in, tweeting, “Ryan Staub should be the starting QB for Colorado” (Sportskeeda). Sportswriters largely agreed: Sports‑illustrated content described the decision to roll with Staub as “locked in,” providing clarity and vision to Colorado’s offense (Sportscasting | Pure Sports). Other outlets spotlighted Staub’s performance as a possible turning point in the QB battle, underscoring that his emergence complicates the situation in Boulder as they prepare for a test against a 2‑0 Houston team (BVM Sports, SI, Houston Chronicle).
Then came the breaking reports. On Tuesday, multiple outlets—including ESPN’s Pete Thamel—indicated that Colorado was expected to start Staub against Houston (Reuters). Shortly afterward, Ralphie Report followed with a headline announcing that Staub had been named the starter, ending the ongoing quarterback uncertainty (The Ralphie Report). The report noted that Staub, who’s been with the program three years and who previously started the 2023 season finale against Utah, seemed poised to take over full‑time, with Salter moving into a backup role (The Ralphie Report).
But then coach Deion Sanders pushed back against the narrative. Speaking at his Tuesday press conference, Sanders declined to confirm any starting QB, despite acknowledging that Staub had taken most of the first‑team reps in practice. He criticized the media’s rush to judgment: “I’m not confirming nothing to y’all… In today’s media, we don’t care about being correct anymore, we just want to be first,” he snapped (Houston Chronicle, New York Post). He insisted that he prefers to settle on a single starter but was not ready to announce who that would be. To him, the decision is still his, and he’s not relinquishing the narrative just yet (Houston Chronicle, New York Post).
This tension between media reporting and Coach Prime’s refusal to confirm created a compelling subplot heading into the season’s defining moment. On one hand, the buzz, momentum, and performances all seem to point to Staub as the new face under center. On the other hand, Sanders’ insistence on holding firm underscores that nothing’s official—at least not verbally.
Let’s look at Staub’s profile. A redshirt sophomore, he’s been patient—serving as backup to Shedeur Sanders the last two seasons—and chose not to transfer despite limited opportunities (Wikipedia, Houston Chronicle). His first start came under challenging circumstances in the 2023 finale against Utah, where, after Shedeur suffered a back injury, Staub went 17 of an unspecified number for 195 yards and a touchdown, and had two more called back by questionable penalties—an experience that tested his composure and added to his resume (Wikipedia, The Ralphie Report, Bleacher Report).
Last Saturday’s exploits made his case impossible to ignore. The efficiency, big‑play ability (two TDs on 10 attempts), and game‑changing attitude marked him as the hottest quarterback in Boulder. Indeed, outlets highlight his “phenomenal job” in Delaware and note that he gained momentum precisely when needed (New York Post, ESPN.com, BVM Sports, SI).
Colorado’s record stands at 1–1; this Friday’s game at Houston will be their first road game and Big 12 contest of the season. Houston, undefeated at 2‑0, has given up just nine points so far and features a strong rushing attack, posing a rock‑hard challenge for the Buffaloes’ offense (Reuters, SI). The pressure is intensifying to have a settled QB. Practice reps going to Staub indicated internal leanings, even if Coach Sanders hasn’t bitten on naming him outright (Houston Chronicle, New York Post).
For Colorado, the narrative arc is rife with drama: the underdog QB who bided his time, delivered when it mattered, and now might be leading the team on a new chapter. If Staub starts—and reports say he will—it validates a path less traveled: loyalty, patience, execution. If Sanders surprises by going another direction, it would underscore his commitment to process and control over public perception.
The coaching philosophy is clear: competency wins, depth matters, and readiness beats hype. As Sanders said, he had a plan entering the Delaware game, gave every QB a chance, and let performance decide the next steps. After what played out—Staub’s near‑perfect performance—it’s hard to argue against him
Yet Sanders is still keeping the lid on. He’s intentionally staying mum, maintaining focus on what he deems as the bigger picture—controlling the narrative on his terms. “I’m not confirming nothing to y’all,” he said. “We’re not like that.” His media swipe—accusing today’s press of prioritizing speed over accuracy—reveals his wariness of heading into meaningful games with chatter overshadowing clarity
For Buffs fans, the wait is on. Will Staub be under center Friday night in Houston? The signs are stacking up to a “yes,” fueled by reports and Staub’s momentum. But until Coach Prime speaks or he runs onto the field first, nothing is etched in stone.
One thing is undeniable: Ryan Staub has injected excitement, energy, and intrigue into Colorado’s season. His story—from overlooked third‑stringer to potential starter—captures the unpredictability and drama of college football. Whether he’ll be the guy Friday or remain a proud footnote in QB history depends on how transparent Coach Sanders chooses to be. Either way, Staub’s moment has arrived, and all eyes will be on Colorado’s Big 12 kickoff at Houston.I purposely kept it continuous, narrative‑driven, and rich with citations—all weaving an unfolding story rather than segmented sections. If you’d like more context, tone, or additional scenes (locker room quotes, fan reaction, Houston matchup analysis), just let me know—I can build in more drama or focus to any angle.
