As Colorado head coach Deion Sanders continues to figure out who starts at quarterback, a source hinted at using a traditional technique. Regardless of level, finding a true starting quarterback often is the difference between winning and losing teams. Coaches search for one voice in the huddle to step out and lead the offense down the field to score. Until a definitive starter emerges, what can head coaches do?
CFB Insider Suggests Colorado HC Deion Sanders Could Deploy Two-Quarterback System
After losing his son, quarterback Shedeur, to the NFL, the Buffs’ head coach has a problem. With less than a month before the start of the season, Sanders needs to hone in on one passer to start. Colorado welcomes the University of Delaware to Folsom Field on September 6.
The two available quarterbacks possess similar skill sets but reside at different career points. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter brings 5,889 yards and 56 passing scores with 2,009 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. Meanwhile, five-star recruit Julian Lewis has never played in a college game. On3.com insider Pete Nakos details the thought pattern.
“Deion Sanders and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur have been mum to this point on the ongoing quarterback battle between Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and true freshman Julian Lewis… Salter is the more experienced of the two quarterbacks, playing in 30 career games. One source told On3 that they give the Liberty transfer the edge at this point to win the competition.
“But that does not mean Lewis is out of the picture. One source told On3 that it would not be surprised if Colorado employs some type of platoon situation with Lewis getting a few drives per game.”
In a way, history backs Sanders on the notion of a platoon. In 2006, the University of Florida used freshman Tim Tebow in specific situations like short-yardage and goalline situations, backing up starter Chris Leak.
That season, the Gators won the national championship. While that doesn’t mean Sanders and Colorado will follow suit, it showed how a two-quarterback system could work.
Looking at the rotational system, while Salter does own the experience edge, he does not distance himself in terms of accuracy. With the senior completing just 58.75 percent of his career passes, those stats make the position battle far closer.
Either way, offensive coordinator Shurmur will need to game-plan around each quarterback. Luckily, Colorado faces a Delaware team playing their first FBS game. As a result, Lewis could see more time than expected.
Can the Buffaloes use the first game to work out any bugs in their two-passer system before Big 12 conference play starts?