Colorado Buffaloes Spring Football Game Storylines: Deion Sanders Introduces New-Look Squad

A new era of Colorado Buffaloes football has begun with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter soon taking their talents to the NFL. Coach Deion Sanders will rely on a new group of leaders in 2025, and fans will get their first look at Colorado's revamped squad during Saturday's Black and Gold Day spring football game.

The Buffs' third spring game under "Coach Prime" will begin at 2:30 p.m. MT at Folsom Field in Boulder. For those who can't make it, ESPN2 will broadcast the scrimmage.

Apr 22, 2023; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders is interviewed by ESPN broadcaster Quint Kessenich during the first half of a spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

These are the biggest storylines to follow heading into Colorado's 2025 spring football game:

Starting quarterback competition

Arguably the most notable storyline of the spring has been Colorado's starting quarterback competition. Early enrollee Julian "JuJu" Lewis, Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and returner Ryan Staub are all battling for the right to become Shedeur Sanders' heir.

Salter is the likely frontrunner due to his vast college experience, but Lewis has shown well this spring and Staub has the advantage of knowing offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur's system best. It'll be interesting to see which quarterback will run with the top offensive unit and how much playing time each will see.

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Expected attendance

Last week, BuffZone's Brian Howell reported that Colorado has sold 9,650 tickets for Saturday's spring game. The 2023 spring game was sold out (47,277), and 28,424 tickets were sold last year.

Historically, selling about 10,000 tickets is impressive for a Colorado spring game, but fans aren't quite flocking as they did the past two years.

Keep in mind, this is still a really good number in terms of CU history. Prior to Coach Prime's arrival, CU could barely get 1,000 people to show up for free. Nothing is gonna top the 2023 spring game, but selling 10K tickets to a CU spring game is pretty good. https://t.co/CQ7rLoCETa
— Brian Howell (@BrianHowell33) April 12, 2025

Colorado's final intrasquad spring game?

Earlier this spring, "Coach Prime" and Syracuse coach Fran Brown petitioned the NCAA to allow for a combined spring scrimmage between the Buffs and Orange. While the powers that be ultimately shut the idea down this year, there's hope that college football programs will be allowed to practice and scrimmage against each other in springs to come.

"I would like to style it like the pros," Sanders said. "I'd like to go against someone (in practice) for a few days, and then you have the spring game. I think the public would be satisfied with that tremendously. I think it's a tremendous idea. I've told those personnel, who should understand that, that it's a tremendous idea."

First impressions

Sep 14, 2024; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane wide receiver Joseph Williams (8) warms up before a game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images | Brett Rojo-Imagn Images

Lewis and Salter aren't the only newcomers looking to make a strong first impression on the Folsom faithful. Incoming transfers to watch on Saturday include linebackers Martavius French (UTSA) and Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State), wide receiver Joseph Williams (Tulsa), offensive lineman Zy Crisler (Illinois) and defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis (Alabama). "Coach Prime" has also been impressed by placekicker Buck Buchanan, a Louisiana Tech transfer.

Among Colorado's early enrollees, players to watch include defensive lineman Alexander McPherson, offensive lineman Chauncey Gooden, and wide receivers Quanell Farrakhan Jr. and Quentin Gibson.