Colorado QB Dominiq Ponder dies at 23; dominiq ponder remembered by coach

dominiq ponder, a junior quarterback for Colorado, has died at 23, head coach Deion Sanders announced Sunday afternoon. The program said teammates and coaches were grieving as the team prepared to open spring practice Monday in Boulder.

Dominiq Ponder remembered by coach

Sanders posted a message on social media Sunday afternoon saying Ponder was one of his favorites and describing him as loved, respected and a born leader. In his message Sanders asked for prayers for those who knew Ponder and for comfort for the Ponder family, friends and loved ones, and wrote that the Lord was receiving a good one.

Details of the crash

The Colorado State Patrol said a "23-year-old male died in a single-car accident in Boulder County at about 3 a. m. on March 1" and that it declined to confirm the person's identity. The statement placed the crash at about 3 a. m. on March 1 and identified the deceased only as a 23-year-old male.

Timeline from state patrol

Authorities gave the time of the crash as about 3 a. m. on March 1. Sanders' public message came Sunday afternoon, and the program moved forward with plans to open spring practice Monday in Boulder amid the loss.

College career and 2025 stats

Ponder was a junior from Opa Locka, Florida. He joined the Buffaloes two seasons ago after transferring from Bethune-Cookman. During his time at Colorado, Ponder appeared in two games in the 2025 season, recording two rushes and a pass attempt.

Team reaction and tributes

Tributes poured in across social media from Colorado teammates, highlighting his character, dedication and the connections he built in the locker room. The program said players and staff were mourning as they prepared for spring practice in Boulder on Monday.

Charlie Strella was named in the original coverage of the announcement. The program noted that many in the locker room and beyond remembered dominiq ponder for his leadership and the respect he earned from teammates.

The Colorado coaching staff asked for privacy for the Ponder family as the university and team begin to process the loss. The State Patrol declined to confirm the identity of the 23-year-old male it said died in the single-car crash in Boulder County at about 3 a. m. on March 1.

Colorado will open spring practice Monday in Boulder with heavy hearts after Sunday's news.