Utah transfer Isaac Wilson to start for Colorado against 11th-ranked Utes, says Deion Sanders

Isaac Wilson will get the start for Colorado against No. 11 Utah Utes on Saturday, according to coach Deion Sanders. The transfer QB took over for former five-star Julian Lewis, who was benched at Baylor.

Wilson started seven games for Utah in 2024. The chaotic year for now former Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham led to several injuries and pushed him under center. Wilson threw for 156 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-25 passing and led the Buffaloes on two third-quarter scoring drives against Baylor. However, his stats against Texas Tech were underwhelming. Wilson and the Buffs were defeated 29-7 two weeks ago. He finished with 290 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.

Wilson, who starred at Corner Canyon High and played two seasons for the Utes, finished his time in Salt Lake City looking for more of an opportunity after Whittingham and his staff brought in Devon Dampier and Jason Beck from New Mexico. In 2022, in 14 games during his junior season, he was credited with 3,774 passing yards and 40 touchdowns. He also rushed for 695 yards and five more scores to help Corner Canyon to a berth in the 6A state title game.

He committed to Utah as a four-star talent and played 10 career games, including seven starts as a true freshman. Wilson became the first true freshman in recorded program history to beat an AP-ranked team with Utah’s 22-19 win over No. 14 Oklahoma State. He also became the first freshman QB in school history to surpass 200 yards through the air in three straight starts (239 at Utah State, 207 at Oklahoma State, 280 vs. Arizona).

Began his career as a starter by firing three scoring passes at Utah State, becoming Utah’s first true freshman starting QB to throw for three touchdowns in his initial start. He is one of only two true freshman to throw for over 200 yards in his first two starts.

Appeared in only one game in 2025 against Colorado. As a true freshman in 2024, he played in nine games, starting seven, and ranked in the top 10 among freshmen in Power Football with 1,510 passing yards and 10 TD throws, while completing 127-of-225 and adding another 47 yards rushing. He accounted for more than half of Utah’s 49 plays of 20-or-more yards, playing a part in 27.

Wilson gave Colorado a spark, but the Buffaloes still suffered a 23-13 road loss in Waco. Sanders is in the midst of his fourth season in Boulder with the Buffs now 2-3 on the season. The sub .500 record matches Coach Prime's worst start at Colorado. He's also 3-111 dating back to last year. The younger brother of New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson will try to turn up the offensive output for the Buffs.

No. 11 Utah travels to Colorado on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:15 p.m. on ESPN.

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