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FILE – Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder (22) warms up before an NCAA college football game Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo.(Source: AP Photo\/David Zalubowski, File)<\/p>\nBOULDER, Colo. (AP) – Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single-car crash, police said. He was 23.<\/p>\n
Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla when he lost control on a curve and hit a guardrail, according to the Colorado State Patrol. The car struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment.<\/p>\n
Ponder was pronounced dead at the scene in Boulder County. Police said a preliminary investigation \u201cshows that speed is suspected as a factor.\u201d<\/p>\n
FILE – Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder (22) warms up before an NCAA college football game Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo.(Source: AP Photo\/David Zalubowski, File)<\/p>\n
Ponder played in two games for the Buffaloes last season, going 0-for-1 passing and carrying the ball twice for a loss of 4 yards. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Opa Locka, Florida, began his collegiate career at Bethune-Cookman before transferring.<\/p>\n
The Buffs were slated to begin spring practice on Monday.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones,\u201d Colorado coach Deion Sanders posted on X<\/a>. \u201cDom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let\u2019s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you\u2019re receiving a good 1.\u201d<\/p>\n Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion reposted Sanders\u2019 statement and called Ponder a joy to be around and coach.<\/p>\n \u201cGetting that call from his dad today didn\u2019t feel real,\u201d Marion posted<\/a>. \u201cLove you Dom! God cover his family & our team, especially our qb room!\u201d<\/p>\n Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo said Ponder \u201cepitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike.\u201d The athletic department said it would make counseling resources available to players and staff.<\/p>\n Fellow Colorado quarterback Colton Allen also paid tribute to Ponder on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cDom, you were a blessing to so many people,\u201d Allen wrote. \u201cYou had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I\u2019m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I\u2019ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n The Big 12 Conference extended its condolences in a post on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here<\/a>. AP college football: apnews.com\/hub\/ap-top-25-college-football-poll<\/a> and apnews.com\/hub\/college-football<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n