Colorado Buffaloes Quarterback Dominiq Ponder Dies in Car Accident

Head coach Deion Sanders confirms the tragic passing of the 23-year-old redshirt junior

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died on Saturday night in a single-car accident. He was 23 years old. Head coach Deion Sanders confirmed the news in a heartfelt social media post, calling Ponder "one of my favorites" who was "loved, respected, & a born leader." Tributes poured in from teammates and coaches following the tragic news.

Why it matters

Ponder's death is a devastating loss for the Colorado football program and the wider college sports community. As a backup quarterback, he played a valuable role on the team and was beloved by his teammates and coaches. His passing at such a young age is a tragic reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The details

Ponder was a redshirt junior entering his third season with the Buffaloes. He started his college career at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy before transferring to Bethune-Cookman, where he redshirted his freshman year. He then transferred to Colorado in 2024, joining the football team as a walk-on. Ponder appeared in two games over two seasons, making his collegiate debut on Nov. 1, 2025 against the Arizona Wildcats.

  • Ponder died on Saturday night, March 1, 2026.
  • Colorado is scheduled to begin spring practices on Monday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Deion Sanders

The head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team, who confirmed the tragic news of Ponder's passing.

Dominiq Ponder

The 23-year-old redshirt junior quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, who died in a single-car accident on March 1, 2026.

Colton Allen

A quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, who paid tribute to Ponder on social media, calling him a "blessing" who brought "so much joy" to those around him.

Ryan Staub

A former quarterback for the Colorado Buffaloes, who expressed his grief over Ponder's passing, saying he was "at a complete loss for words" and that Ponder was "gone way too soon."

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What they’re saying

“God, please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones. Dom was one of my favorites! He was loved, respected, & a born leader. Let's pray for all who knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord, you're receiving a good one. Comfort us, Lord, Comfort us.”

— Deion Sanders, Head Coach, Colorado Buffaloes (X)

“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people. You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I'm grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I'll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”

— Colton Allen, Quarterback, Colorado Buffaloes (Social Media)

“At a complete loss for words rn. Life isn't fair and this doesn't feel real. You were always a pleasure to be around. We motivated each other and kept each other in check. Love you forever and gone way too soon. Fly high, Dom.”

— Ryan Staub, Former Quarterback, Colorado Buffaloes (Instagram)

What’s next

Colorado is scheduled to begin spring practices on Monday, March 2, 2026, as the team and community continue to mourn the loss of Dominiq Ponder.

The takeaway

Ponder's tragic passing at just 23 years old is a devastating loss for the Colorado football program and a reminder of the fragility of life. His teammates and coaches have expressed deep grief and fondness for the young quarterback, who was beloved for his positive presence and leadership. This tragedy underscores the importance of cherishing every moment and supporting one another during difficult times.