‘Dawgs will show up’ – Deion Sanders makes bold quarterback change as exiled ex-NFL QB weighs in

Deion Sanders has decided to roll with Ryan Staub as his quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes’ game at Houston on Friday night.

According to ESPN college football expert Pete Thamel, Coach Prime is expected to start the redshirt sophomore after he impressed in the Buffaloes’ 31-7 win over Delaware on Saturday.

The Buffs’ quarterback carousel has been one to watch since Shedeur Sanders‘ departure for the NFL franchise Cleveland Browns in the 2025 draft, but Sanders said he wasn’t “lost for direction” as to where to go.

Kaidon Salter transferred from Liberty to Colorado in December, and it was expected that the 22-year-old would take over the vacant starting role under center ahead of both Staub and 17-year-old freshman, Julian Lewis.

Salter started the season opener in which he completed 17-for-28 of his passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in the Buffs’ loss to Georgia Tech.

He also started Colorado’s contest against the Fightin’ Blue Hens where he was efficient, completing 13-for-16 of his pass attempts, but mustered just 102 yards through the air as the offense struggled to move down the field.

Despite getting his team out to a quick 10-0 lead, including a nine-yard touchdown run on the Buffs’ first drive, Salter was replaced by Lewis, whose introduction made him the third-youngest Buffalo to debut in the past two decades.

Alas, Lewis threw for 8 passing yards from two completions, and lost eight yards on a single rushing attempt, leading to his head coach to make the decision of bringing him out of the contest.

Sanders, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a stellar 14-year NFL career, decided to throw a curveball to the opposition and give third-string Staub a go as the primary signal caller.

Little did anyone know just how career-altering that decision would turn out to be.

Making the most of his – albeit unexpected – opportunity, Staub completed 70 percent of his passes, throwing for a whopping 157 yards and two touchdowns.

After the game, Sanders spoke about Staub and how he bided his time to come and claim this moment.

Getty

Getty

“I saw what I’ve been seeing in practice the last few years,” Sanders told FOX of Staub’s performance. “This is who he is, who he’s always been. He’s a [man of] opportunity, that’s all he is… I love this kid, man.”

When asked why he stayed in Boulder despite the additions of Salter and Lewis, Staub said: “I had a dream, and I saw something and I wanted to chase it. I love being here, I love playing for Coach Prime and man, I am so blessed I got the opportunity. All I needed was that opportunity and we’ve got more work to do.”

Later in his post-game press conference, Coach Prime gave plaudits to Staub for the way he has handled his career as the back-up at Colorado and choosing to trust the process instead of entering the transfer portal and seeking an opportunity elsewhere.

“In his post-game interview, he said he had a dream. I said, ‘Staub Luther King,’ that’s what we call him,” Sanders said. “I’m just so darn proud of that guy. You have no idea how I feel about those type of guys who just hang in there.

“The opportunity may escape them, but people forget the last game against Utah a couple of years ago. He got in there, did a fantastic job, and he’s just been waiting for his opportunity.”

“Never jumped in the portal, he had every right to think that way. But he’s just been a great human being and a great young man, like a leader amongst that room. All he needed was the opportunity, and I thought it was time.”

Getty

X/ @NightcapShow_

Staub has played just eight games, including Saturday’s contest, in his three-year college career, starting just once back in 2023, replacing an injured Shedeur to throw 195 yards and a touchdown in a 23-17 loss to Utah in their regular-season finale.

After the 6-foot-1, 200-lb quarterback’s impressive cameo, exiled former Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel appeared on the Nightcap podcast with NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson to discuss Sanders’ decision to bench Salter for his third-string.

“The one thing we, collectively, obviously know about Prime is he’s gonna get a guy in that position that can do what needs to be done for the overall collective of the team,” Manziel said.

“Whether it’s X, Y, or f***ing Z, somebody is going to get on that field and do what we need to do to move the ball down the field and get this offense going and he’s going to oversee the whole thing.

“If you’re not getting it done. It’s early in the season…you’ve got to get your reps because how much can you really tell from training camp? How much can you really tell from spring ball?

“So get out there where live bullets are fired, and come out, you play and dawgs will show up.”

Stay up to date with the latest from college football across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.