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The Colorado football team will have a new signal caller under center in 2026. The program has moved on from the likes of Kaidon Salter. There will be much less experience at the quarterback position.
Concern for the future has arisen thanks to recent comments made by a former Buffs passer. Has Julian Lewis gotten the coaching he needs?
Lewis signed with Deion Sanders as a highly rated high school prospect. He’s since waited on his opportunity to lead the offense.
The redshirt freshman saw action in four games last season mainly in a reserve role behind Salter, who was brought in to replace Shedeur Sanders through the transfer portal. That partnership did not work out as hoped.
The Buffs went just 3-9. Salter struggled in the passing game, totaling just 1,414 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
He was replaced midway through the year by third-string quarterback Ryan Staub. Lewis also nabbed a pair of starts. While Salter would later regain his starting role, success proved elusive.
Now, the veteran passer is gone, as is Staub who transferred to Tennessee. Some recent comments made by the former Buff have created questions.
Ryan Staub shaded Colorado coaching.
This quote is very concerning.
“Three years of college football, I haven’t had as much coaching as the month that I’ve been here”
— Folsom Frenzy Podcast (@FolsomFrenzyPod) March 18, 2026
The shade was largely unintentional. Staub was attempting to applaud his current staff. Still, his remarks have Colorado’s fanbase worried.
QB coach and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur called the plays last year. He was also responsible for quarterback development.
He was unable to succeed in either facet.
Colorado’s passing attack ranked 93rd in the nation last season. Shurmer was demoted midseason. He has since been replaced by Brennon Marion on staff.
Marion comes to Boulder with success at the G5 level, having produced successful offenses at UNLV and Sacramento State. Can he do it at Colorado? He will largely be judged on quarterback play.
Who is Colorado’s starting QB?
Entering the offseason, Julian Lewis was the overwhelming favorite to win the starting job. Now, there is some doubt as to that outlook.
Isaac Wilson, younger brother of former first-round pick Zach Wilson, has entered the race. He transferred from Utah in the offseason. Marion was a big reason why.
“Coach Marion was for sure a main factor for me. The offenses he has had in the past and the overall production, it’s an incredible opportunity for me to compete.”
-Isaac Wilson
Wilson boasts more experience and production than his counterpart, having played in 10 games with seven starts. He has turned heads at spring camp.
Another TD from Isaac Wilson
This time to Danny Scudero 😮💨 https://t.co/I2ebEMRzg6 pic.twitter.com/km69rh4h2A
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) March 13, 2026
Wilson has the support of teammates. Four-star freshman defensive back Preston Ashley said, “He’s that one,” after seeing the passer compete on the field.
The transfer has done enough to create a quarterback controversy in Boulder.
“With how crazy the QB competition and rotation was last year… I could see Isaac Wilson starting, 100%, ” said former Colorado OL Matt McChesney, who follows the program closely.
All of this goes to say that the starting role is up for grabs. That wasn’t expected a few short months ago. Wilson has put himself in the conversation with a strong spring.
Lewis, meanwhile, didn’t take the steps necessary last year to cement his standing atop the depth chart. The team went 0-2 in his two starts as a freshman, capped by a 42-17 loss to Arizona State. His abilities might’ve been stunted by the shuffling on staff.
Is development to blame? Ryan Staub opened the door for speculation.