Deion Sanders names Buffs starting QB, says: ‘Throw the ball to the guys on our team’

Deion Sanders said Isaac Wilson will start Saturday night for the Buffs when No. 11 Utah comes to Folsom Field

BY JAKE SHAPIRO

Oct 13, 2026, 1:24 PM

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

Deion Sanders recently got on an elevator with his starting quarterback, and he couldn’t help himself.

When the doors opened and Isaac Wilson stepped out at his floor, Coach Prime gave him one last piece of advice.

“Make sure you throw the ball to the guys on our team,” Sanders said.

He was joking, he says. But there’s always a little truth to a joke.

At his Tuesday press conference, Sanders said Wilson will start Saturday night when No. 11 Utah comes to Folsom Field. That ended a bye week of talk that true freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne could be the next Colorado quarterback.

“Okay, Isaac’s starting. Isaac’s starting,” Sanders said. “You knew darn well Isaac was starting.”

Not everyone did. Wilson threw three interceptions in his first start for CU, all in the second half of what was a close game against ranked Texas Tech. After the picks, the game got out of hand and the Buffs lost 29-7. The last one was a fourth-quarter pick-six he threw from his own end zone. After that game, Sanders said the Buffs had “one glaring problem” at “one specific position.”

Then on Monday, wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan Jr. posted a photo of his new No. 5 practice jersey. He had shared No. 14 with Sweetwyne, so the switch looked like CU was making room for the freshman to play.

Sanders acknowledged the change but downplayed it.

Speaking of ups and downs, Wilson’s play against Texas Tech and elevators.

“Isaac throw a few picks. He’s still going. He’s not getting down on himself,” Sanders said, saying Wilson could take his jab. “He’s a fighter. He’s tough.”

Wilson will also have extra motivation. He’s from Utah and started played nine games for the Utes behind center before transferring to Boulder, and on Saturday he faces his old teammates.

“Isaac is always up to the task,” Sanders said. “This ain’t no different week for Isaac.”

The bigger change may be in how often Wilson throws. He attempted 44 passes against Texas Tech. Sanders said that’s far too many.

“We don’t want to throw the ball 40 some times,” Sanders said. “We want to keep the ball in between 17 and 24 pass attempts. … We’re not great when we’re throwing the ball that much.”

That’s easier said than done this week. Utah has the nation’s No. 9 run defense, allowing 78.8 yards per game and 2.86 yards per carry.

As for the other two quarterbacks, Sanders said Sweetwyne “could run and he could throw” and that former starter Julian “JuJu” Lewis “could throw the heck out of the football.” For now, though, neither will be playing the position.

Colorado (2-3, 0-2 Big 12) is calling Utah “probably the best team we’re going to face this season,” and it’s also family weekend in Boulder. Wilson keeps the job for at least one more week.

Coach Prime would just like the ball to end up with the guys in black and gold.