Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash in Boulder County, authorities said. He was 23 years old.
The Colorado State Patrol reported that the crash occurred around 3 a.m. on Baseline Road near Newland Court. Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3 westbound when he lost control on a right-hand curve, crossed into the eastbound lane, and struck a guardrail. The vehicle then hit an electrical line pole, rolled down an embankment, and caught fire. Emergency responders pronounced Ponder dead at the scene. He was the sole occupant of the vehicle.
Police said a preliminary investigation “shows that speed is suspected as a factor” in the crash.
The 6-foot-5 walk-on from Opa Locka, Florida, had played in two games for the Buffaloes during the 2025 season, going 0-for-1 passing and carrying the ball twice for a loss of 4 yards. He made his collegiate debut in a home loss to Arizona on November 1, playing the final three snaps. The following week against West Virginia, he played three snaps on the kickoff team.
Ponder’s path to Colorado wound through multiple programs. He graduated from Carol City High School in 2022 and attended Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina before playing the 2023 season at Bethune-Cookman, where he appeared in two games and completed two passes for 33 yards. He also spent time at Georgia Tech before transferring to Colorado in 2024, joining the team as a walk-on and redshirting his first year in Boulder.
The tragedy struck just as the Buffs were scheduled to begin spring practice on Monday, casting a shadow over what should have been a time of optimism for the upcoming season. As the oldest quarterback in the room, Ponder had assumed a greater leadership role during winter workouts.
Colorado coach Deion Sanders, entering his fourth season with the program, mourned the loss in a social media post, calling Ponder “one of my favorites” and describing him as “Loved, Respected & a Born Leader.”
Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who was hired in December after serving as head coach at Sacramento State, called Ponder a joy to be around and coach. Marion revealed the devastating nature of receiving the news, posting that “getting that call from his dad today didn’t feel real.”
Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo released a statement praising Ponder’s character and impact on the program. “The entire CU Athletics family is devastated at the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder,” Lovo said. “He epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike.”
The athletic department announced it would make counseling resources available to players and staff members dealing with the loss.
Fellow Colorado quarterback Colton Allen paid tribute to Ponder on social media, sharing the deep bond the two had formed as teammates. Allen described how Ponder brought joy to everyone around him and reflected on the meaningful moments they shared—every lift, every practice, every conversation.
The Big 12 Conference, which Colorado joined ahead of the 2024 season after leaving the Pac-12, extended its condolences. The conference stated it was “deeply saddened by the passing of Colorado football student-athlete Dominiq Ponder” and expressed sympathy for the entire CU community.
Ponder wore number 22 for the Buffaloes and was part of a quarterback room that now includes projected starter Julian Lewis, Utah transfer Isaac Wilson, and incoming freshman Kaneal Sweetwyne. Though his playing time had been limited during his time in Boulder, teammates described him as someone whose presence made everything better. Running backs coach Johnnie Mack called him “an amazing kid” whose loss has left the program reeling.
Sanders, who has rebuilt the Colorado roster multiple times since his arrival, now faces the difficult task of helping his team navigate this tragedy. The Buffaloes went 3-9 last season after losing star players Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders to the NFL, and had brought in more than 50 new players this offseason in preparation for a bounce-back campaign.
The Colorado football program has not yet announced how it plans to honor Ponder’s memory during the upcoming season. The spring practice period will conclude with the Black & Gold game on April 11 at Folsom Field.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the focus remains on supporting Ponder’s family, friends, and teammates through this difficult time. The Colorado State Patrol confirmed the crash remains under investigation.
