Let’s cut to the chase: Kaidon Salter is a problem. The former Liberty standout has taken his talents to Colorado, and he’s got the tools to not only fill Shedeur Sanders’ shoes but potentially outshine them. Is he QB1 for the Buffs? I don’t know yet, but I do know this—Kaidon Salter has star potential written all over him.
The Physical Freak
At 6’1” and 200 pounds, Salter isn’t just a quarterback—he’s an athlete. His lean, explosive build is tailor-made for the modern game, and his speed is downright ridiculous. With a projected 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, he’s in the 97th percentile for quarterbacks. Translation: good luck catching him in the open field.
The Collegiate Resume
Salter didn’t just play at Liberty—he dominated. In 2023, he led the Flames to a 13-0 regular season, a Conference USA championship, and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance. Along the way, he set school records with 32 passing touchdowns and 1,089 rushing yards (the most by a QB in Liberty history).
In 2024, he kept the momentum going, throwing for 1,886 yards, 15 touchdowns, and adding 587 rushing yards with 7 scores on the ground. This dude isn’t just a passer—he’s a one-man offensive system.
The Scouting Report
Let’s break down what makes Salter so dangerous:
- Arm Talent: Salter’s got a cannon. He can sling it deep with velocity and touch, stretching defenses vertically. His deep ball is a thing of beauty, earning a 93.0 grade and a 122.3 QB rating on those throws.
- Mobility: This is where he separates himself. Salter’s athleticism lets him extend plays, escape pressure, and gash defenses on designed runs. He’s a nightmare for defensive coordinators because you can’t just drop everyone into coverage—you have to account for his legs.
- Decision-Making: It’s not all perfect. Salter can get a little reckless under pressure, and his intermediate passing needs work (just a 69.0 grade). But when he’s in rhythm, especially in the quick game, he’s lethal.
- Leadership: Leading a team to an undefeated season isn’t easy. Salter’s got the intangibles—resilience, competitiveness, and the ability to rally his squad when it matters most.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s geek out for a second:
- ADJ% (Adjusted Completion Percentage): In 2023, Salter posted an 85.8 ADJ%, good for 18th in the nation—higher than Shedeur Sanders that same year.
- NFL QB Rating: He finished 3rd overall with a 133.9 rating (2nd among FBS QBs).
- Time to Throw (TTT): At 1.86 seconds, Salter gets the ball out quickly, and he was never sacked under 2.5 seconds in 2023.
- Deep Ball Dominance: His 21.7 ADOT (Average Depth of Target) on throws over 2.5 seconds shows he’s not afraid to air it out.
- Scrambling: Salter was 5th in scrambles over 2.5 seconds with 53, proving he can create something out of nothing.
The Transition to Colorado
Salter steps into a CU offense that’s losing Shedeur Sanders to the NFL. The competition for QB1 will be fierce, but Salter’s experience, playmaking ability, and leadership make him the frontrunner. He’s not just a stopgap—he’s a potential game-changer for the Buffs.
NFL Potential
Salter’s got the tools to play on Sundays. His arm talent, mobility, and leadership are all NFL-caliber. But to reach his full potential, he’ll need to clean up his decision-making and prove he can handle the jump to Power Five competition. If he does that, watch out.
The Bottom Line
Kaidon Salter is special. His deep ball is elite, his quick-game efficiency is Shedeur-esque, and his athleticism is off the charts. Yes, he’s got areas to improve—intermediate passing, consistency under pressure—but the foundation is there. If he puts it all together at Colorado, he won’t just be QB1—he’ll be the next big thing in college football.
So, is Kaidon Salter QB1 for CU? The answer might not be clear yet, but one thing is: this dude is built to shine.