Colorado football enters this season with a sense of anticipation, and much of that excitement centers on Kaidon Salter. The transfer quarterback arrives in Boulder after leading Liberty to a 13–1 record last year, capped by a Conference USA championship. His résumé speaks for itself — winning pedigree, dual-threat ability, and the kind of confidence that comes from proving himself on the field.

From the first look at his highlights, Salter stands out. He brings vision and composure in the backfield, making smart reads on option plays and showing patience before releasing swing passes or bubble screens. Those details might seem small, but they reveal his ability to process defenses at a high level. Add in his accuracy on the deep ball and the touch on intermediate throws, and you see why many already project him as a future NFL draft pick.

The Buffs’ backfield depth only enhances his potential. With four capable running backs, including DeKaylon Taylor and Simeon Price, and a wide receiver room that runs five deep, Salter doesn’t have to do everything himself. Instead, he can spread the ball, let playmakers shine, and use his legs to create mismatches. The difference between this season’s offense and the last two is night and day. Colorado now has balance, explosiveness, and an identity that can keep defenses guessing.

What separates Salter from his predecessor, Shedeur Sanders, is not just athleticism but style. Shedeur had poise and accuracy, but Salter adds a suddenness, a step that forces defenders onto their heels. When he takes off, linebackers hesitate, safeties creep up, and receivers find openings behind them. It changes the geometry of the game. For Coach Deion Sanders, it unlocks a playbook that will look “totally different,” as he promised earlier this month.

The intangibles matter too. Salter carries himself with maturity, showing leadership in camp and confidence in interviews. Players feed off that presence. When he’s under center, the offense feels fluid, like a pickup game where everyone is having fun but still executing at a high level. That “playground” energy could be exactly what Colorado needs to rebuild momentum after last season’s struggles.

Competition at quarterback remains, with JuJu Lewis still on the roster. But the gap looks wider by the day. Salter’s talent, IQ, and comfort with the speed of the college game put him in command. If Colorado wants to rise in the Big 12, it starts with stability at quarterback. Salter is standing ready.

This fall, expect him not only to be a difference maker but also a story that resonates nationally. Colorado has found its quarterback, and his name is Kaidon Salter.