Colorado State backup quarterback Dominique Ponder died at the age of 23 in a car accident early Sunday morning, March 1, the university announced Sunday evening.
The Colorado State Patrol confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that a 23-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Boulder County around 3 a.m. on March 1, but declined to confirm his identity. Patrol Sergeant Ivan Alvarado said the driver lost control of the 2023 Tesla while traveling around a right-hand curve on Baseline Road near Newland Court. He said the westbound car crossed into the eastbound lanes, crashed through a guardrail, hit a utility pole and overturned at least once. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, Alvarado said.
“God, please comfort Ponder’s family, friends and loved ones,” Colorado coach Deion Sanders wrote on social media site
Ponder was the No. 4 quarterback at Colorado in 2025 and appeared in two games after redshirting against Bethune-Cookman in 2023. He came to Colorado as a non-scholarship player in 2024 and would have been a junior at Colorado in 2026.
Fellow backup quarterback Colton Allen posted about his “contemplation” on Instagram on March 1st.
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many,” Allen wrote. “Your presence made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every single lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we shared. I’ll carry that with me for the rest of my life. What happened feels truly defining. It’s heavy. It hurts.”
Ponder, one of coach Deion Sanders’ “Florida Boys” in Boulder, played high school football at Carroll City High School in Opa-locka, Fla., and eventually landed at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach.
He finished his second season at Colorado in 2025 with one pass attempt and minus-four yards on two carries, all on the final three snaps of a 52-17 loss to Arizona on Nov. 1.
This sad news comes just one day before Colorado State begins its spring training season on March 2nd. The Colorado State Athletic Department said it is making counseling resources available to student-athletes and staff to assist during “this time of unimaginable loss.”
“The entire CU Athletics family is devastated by the tragic passing of Dominick Ponder,” Colorado State Athletic Director Fernando Lobo said in a statement. “He exemplified the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness and intelligence, and was respected by his teammates and coaches alike. Our hearts go out to his family and all of his teammates during this difficult time.”
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
