Report: Colorado expected to start Staub against Houston

Colorado is expected to turn to Ryan Staub at quarterback for the Buffaloes' Big 12 opener against Houston on Friday, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Head coach Deion Sanders said he wouldn't confirm Thamel's report during a Tuesday interview, according to the Houston Chronicle's Joseph Duarte.

Staub was spotted working with the first-team offense in practice Monday. The redshirt sophomore has spent the past two seasons backing up Shedeur Sanders. He started one game for Colorado in 2023 while Sanders was injured, throwing for 195 yards and one touchdown in a loss to Utah.

The Stevenson Ranch, California, native began his 2025 campaign third on Buffaloes' QB depth chart. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and freshman Julian Lewis competed for the starting role to begin the season. Salter got the nod in Colorado's opener against Georgia Tech.

Coach Prime gave each of the three passers reps during last week's 31-7 win over Delaware. Staub completed 7 of 10 pass attempts for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

"I know exactly how I'm going to handle the quarterback situation," Sanders said after the win against Delaware, per The Associated Press' Pat Graham.