Colorado QB Dominiq Ponder dead at 23 after tragic crash

Colorado backup quarterback Dominiq Ponder has died at the age of 23 following a car accident early Sunday, the university confirmed.

The Colorado State Patrol said a 23-year-old man died in a single-vehicle crash in Boulder County at about 3am on March 1, but officials declined to formally identify the victim. Patrol Sergeant Ivan Alvarado said the driver lost control of a 2023 Tesla while navigating a right-hand curve on Baseline Road near Newland Court.

According to authorities, the westbound vehicle crossed into eastbound lanes, broke through a guardrail, struck an electrical pole and rolled at least once. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders paid tribute on social media platform X, writing: “God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & loved ones. Dom was one of my favourites. He was loved, respected and a born leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him and had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good one. Comfort us Lord comfort us.”

Ponder served as a fourth-string quarterback at Colorado in 2025 and appeared in two games after redshirting at Bethune-Cookman in 2023. He joined Colorado in 2024 as a non-scholarship player and would have been a junior in the 2026 season.

Fellow backup quarterback Colton Allen also shared an emotional tribute on Instagram.

“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote. “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. What happened feels so final. It feels heavy. It hurts.”

Ponder was one of Sanders’ so-called “Florida boys” in Boulder. He played high school football at Carol City High School in Opa-locka, Florida, before later joining Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.

He finished the 2025 season with one pass attempt and two carries for minus four yards, which came during the final three snaps of Colorado’s 52-17 loss to Arizona on November 1.

The news comes a day before Colorado opens spring practice on March 2. The athletic department said counselling resources are being made available to student-athletes and staff to support them “during this time of unimaginable loss”.

“The entire CU Athletics family is devastated at the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder,” athletic director Rick George said in a statement. “He epitomised the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness and intelligence that were revered by his team-mates and coaches alike. Our hearts go out to his family and all of his team-mates during this difficult time.”