Too much Salt? A deep dive into the Colorado QB1’s decision-making

Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Kaidon Salter has had an inconsistent season, struggling with indecision and accuracy. (Photo by Aspen Doust/Sko Buffs Sports)

Quarterback Kaidon Salter’s season so far has been a test of patience. That's a test Colorado Buffaloes football can’t afford in his lone year of eligibility remaining. 

The graduate transfer from Liberty has shown flashes, but too often leaves CU fans eager for better decisions. This is especially apparent when the pocket collapses and the moment calls for composure. 

A fair question then arises: why hasn’t his past success translated to his play in Boulder?

Salter arrived on the promise of extending plays, keeping defenses honest, and adding a new dual-threat to the offense. Instead, hesitancy to scramble when a play breaks down has been the reality, much to his head coach’s chagrin. 

In his weekly Tuesday press conference, coach Deion Sanders made his intentions clear.

“My players know what I think of them,” he said. “There aren’t any assumptions in that department. They know where I stand.” 

With that standard of accountability in mind, here’s a look from Colorado’s most recent outing against TCU.

The defense opens strong, getting a stop on fourth down and setting up CU in plus territory. Running back Micah Welch moves the chains to kick off the drive, giving the Buffs a prime scoring opportunity. 

Two plays later, on his first drop-back of the game, Salter evaded initial pressure, only to force a throw to wide receiver Omarion Miller between three defenders. You can probably guess how that ended. Opportunity squandered.

Fast forward to the next quarter, and the Buffs are looking to answer a TCU touchdown. On just the second play of the drive, Salter rolls right but makes the wrong read. The home team capitalizes on the short field that follows, tying the game at 14.

Late in the first half, Colorado is deep in the red zone. It’d be unfair not to acknowledge the QB1’s impact on this two-minute drill, highlighted by a nice throw to Miller downfield. 

One generous pass interference call later, Colorado’s just two steps away from taking a lead into the break. Eight seconds remain, and the Buffs still have a timeout, so a blown-up play or incompletion isn’t the end of the world. The priority here is simple: put points on the board.

But to the dismay of CU faithful, Salter made an unforgivable mistake, forcing a throw into a tight window at the goal line. Interception. That’s his third of the half, if you’re keeping score at home.

These deflating, game-breaking moments aren’t just a one-week issue. In an eerily similar situation against BYU, Colorado once again tried to claw back late after blowing an early lead. The Buffs only needed a field goal to force overtime. Ball on their own 25, two timeouts remaining.

From the snap, Salter looks rattled, unsure where to go with the football. Under pressure, he bails from the pocket, almost as if he’s chasing a home run play. Welch is wide open at the marker.

A completion there stops the clock and extends the drive. Instead, a gut punch follows. Joseph Williams calls for the ball, unaware of the Cougar defenders lurking behind him. Salter should see them, but doesn’t. Game over.

Not every moment is hesitant or reckless, though. There are stretches where Salter looks decisive, poised under pressure, and willing to take what the defense gives him. 

In that same BYU game, Salter recognizes a linebacker blitz, reacts quickly, and scrambles for a first down. It’s the kind of play that extends drives and exactly what the Buffs need more of.

Later in the quarter, Salter produced arguably the most impressive play of his Colorado career. Facing pressure once again, he fakes a pass and uses his agility to juke defenders, scoring six the hard way.

Those split-second decisions have made the difference in one-score losses. Each misread and forced throw has turned promising drives into frustration. 

At the same time, the moments of decisiveness show what this offense is capable of when Salter plays with confidence. The inconsistency is maddening and the good exciting, yet far too rare.

In a season that is becoming defined by what could have been, Salter’s performances have been a reminder that potential and execution don’t always walk hand in hand.