Did a jersey swap just reveal Deion Sanders is changing Buffs QBs again?

Coach Prime's CU Buffs now have three options at quarterback after a jersey number change

Oct 12, 2026, 4:23 PM

Watch: Is the season already over for Coach Prime and the Buffs? | Shapiro and Piro | 24 mins

For the second-straight year the Colorado Buffaloes appear to be playing a game of three-card monte with their quarterbacks and the hope is the sleight of hand will trick No. 10 Utah when they come to Folsom Field on Saturday.

A jersey change to No. 5 by wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr., as posted on his social media, will allow No. 14 Kaneal Sweetwyne to actually be on the field. The Buffs were running into the issue of having one of their better receivers on the field a the same time as their third-string quarterback. The true freshman, Sweetwyne, and Farrakhan were wearing the same number. So when the Buffs used him in the blowout against Weber State Farrakhan was already out of the game. And then when CU put Sweetwyne on the field to start the game against Texas Tech with starting quarterback Isaac Wilson as a trick, Farrakhan was on the sidelines.

Now that Farrakhan and Sweetwyne wear different numbers the two could play at the same time, which hints that very thing could be happening this weekend against the Utes.

Head coach Deion Sanders was ticked off about his quarterback’s play again against Texas Tech in their most recent loss. Calling out the position by telling media members, they knew what the problem was and he didn’t even need to say it. If Coach Prime is truly that upset with Wilson the easy move might be to go back to start recruit and opening day starter JuJu Lewis. But Sanders’ own words made it sound like Lewis was opting not to play.

So that leaves the youngster Sweetwyne, perhaps under center.

If the Buffs do start Sweetwyne, it’ll be the second straight year in replacing Shedeur Sanders that Deion has shuffled between three starters. Last season the Buffs started with Kaidon Salter at quarterback then went to Ryan Staub then Lewis then back to Salter again to preserve Lewis’ redshirt. Since Sweetwyne has already played twice, he can only play two more times this year if the Buffs want to redshirt him for the future.

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For the second straight year, the Colorado Buffaloes seem to be running a game of three-card monte with their quarterbacks. The hope is that the sleight of hand fools No. 11 Utah when the Utes visit Folsom Field on Saturday night.

The tell came Monday from wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. He posted a photo of his new practice jersey on social media, and it shows No. 5 instead of the No. 14 he’s worn all season.

That matters because true freshman quarterback Kaneal Sweetwyne also wears No. 14. NCAA rules say two players with the same number can’t be on the field at the same time on the same side of the ball. So the Buffs have had to choose between one of their better receivers and their third-string quarterback.

It’s already come up twice. When CU used Sweetwyne in the blowout of Weber State on Sept. 12, Farrakhan was out of the game. Then against Texas Tech on Oct. 3, the Buffs opened with Sweetwyne lined up in the slot as a trick, and starter Isaac Wilson at quarterback. Sweetwyne hit Wilson for a 7-yard gain on a double pass while Farrakhan watched from the sideline.

With different numbers, Farrakhan and Sweetwyne can play at the same time. That’s a strong hint about what Colorado has planned for Utah.

It also could be bad news for wide receiver and former top recruit Hykeem Williams, who used to wear No. 5. Williams hasn’t played this season because of an injury, and giving away his number suggests his season may be over.

Coach Deion Sanders didn’t name names after the 29-7 loss to then-No. 12 Texas Tech.

“We got one glaring problem,” Sanders said, all but pointing to quarterback. “We got to play better at one specific position. That’s it.”

Wilson, a transfer who started for Utah before coming to Boulder, went 26-of-44 for 290 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions in his first start for CU. The last interception was a pick-six he threw from the end zone in the fourth quarter.

“I did not make smart decisions tonight,” Wilson said. “I need to stop trying to be more than I am.”

The Buffs would’ve had a chance to upset the Red Raiders without those mistakes, which killed the upset bid.

This week Colorado was on bye and a second leak of CU’s playbook may have also hinted that Sweetwyne is getting a look given he’s more likely to be in an option and that’s what the Buffs were shown to be doing. Meanwhile Sanders said of his quarterbacks that somebody has to “step up and take hold of it and get it done.”

If Coach Prime is really that frustrated with Wilson, the easy move might be going back to Julian “JuJu” Lewis. He was the former five-star recruit and opening-day starter, but he was benched at halftime of the 23-13 loss at Baylor on Sept. 26 and hasn’t played since. Sanders’ own comments made it sound like Lewis is choosing not to play.

That leaves the youngster Sweetwyne, maybe under center.

Sweetwyne may also be the best fit for offensive coordinator Brennan Marion’s “Go-Go” offense, which works best with a quarterback who can run. He came close to 1,000 rushing yards in both his junior and senior seasons of high school, and CU has used him mostly as a runner this season.

He wouldn’t be getting an easy debut. Utah brings the nation’s No. 9 run defense to Boulder, allowing 78.8 yards per game and 2.86 yards per carry. The Utes haven’t scored fewer than 31 points in a game this season, while Colorado has scored 27 points total in its last three games.

Sanders has said he would only go to Sweetwyne if he’s ready to stick with him for the long haul.

If Sweetwyne starts, it’ll be the second straight year that Sanders has rotated through three starting quarterbacks while trying to replace his son, Shedeur Sanders.

Last season, the Buffs opened with Kaidon Salter, then went to Ryan Staub, then to Lewis, then back to Salter to protect Lewis’ redshirt.

The redshirt clock is ticking again. Sweetwyne has already played in two games. Under NCAA rules he can play in four and still redshirt, so he has two games left if Colorado wants to save a year of eligibility for him.

Colorado hosts Utah at Folsom Field on Saturday, who will play quarterback is again a mystery.