Ex-Vols QB Kaidon Salter is the favorite to start for Colorado

The Kaidon Salter era with Tennessee basically ended before it began. And after Salter was dismissed from Tennessee in 2021, the former four-star prospect had to pick up the pieces at Liberty.

It turned out to be the right move and, after starting for two-plus with the Flames, Salter moved on to Colorado. Now word has come out of Colorado camp that Salter is in line to be QB1 for the Buffaloes this season, beating out true freshman Julian Lewis. 

Finding a second chance in Lynchburg

It was easy to write Salter off after his tumultuous time in Tennessee. Those eight months saw him get suspended for a dorm incident during the spring and eventually dismissed after being arrested for simple possession and driving without a license.

But Salter regrouped at Liberty and would eventually take over as a multi-year starter for the Flames. In 2023, he had one of the best seasons in college football, accounting for nearly 4,000 yards of total offense and 44 touchdowns for a 13-1 squad.

Salter's numbers took a dip in 2024, and he decided to transfer from Liberty and head to Boulder, where he is going to have the opportunity to replace Shedeur Sanders at Colorado. The dual-threat ability that Salter possesses (he has rushed for 2,013 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career) is what Deion Sanders believes will be the difference maker.

“The kid is gonna cause havoc," Sanders said. "I’m just telling you, it’s going to be a totally different type of offense...from what you’ve seen us do in the past.”

Ready to close strong in Colorado

There's no question that Tennessee was right to dismiss Salter when they did. He was a big-time prospect, one of the best in the nation, but he was immature and his suspension forced him to miss out on important early development time. That being said, credit to Salter for pulling it together to the point of getting back to a Power Four program and apparently winning the starting spot.

Salter will have to keep looking over his shoulder. Lewis was one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class and the competition between the two has been close. There's little doubt that Lewis is the future, but Salter is the present.