University of Colorado football player Dominiq Ponder died early Sunday morning in a single vehicle crash.
He was 23 years old.
In a news release, the Colorado State Patrol confirmed it responded to the crash at approximately 3 a.m. Sunday and that Ponder was the only occupant of the vehicle.
“The crash was on Baseline Road near Newland Court in Boulder county,” the CSP wrote. “The vehicle was a 2023 Tesla Model 3, driven by 23 year old Dominiq A. Ponder. He was a member of the University of Colorado Buffaloes football team.”
Ponder’s vehicle was going westbound on Baseline Road when he lost control of the car on a right-hand curve, went across the eastbound lane and hit a guardrail, according to the release.
“The vehicle continued through the guardrail,” the CSP release stated. “The Tesla then struck an electrical line pole and rolled down an embankment landing on its wheels and catching on fire. The driver was pronounced dead on scene.”
The CSP’s vehicular crimes unit is leading the investigation, and said, “The preliminary investigation shows that speed is suspected as a factor.”
Ponder was a junior walk-on quarterback who spent the past two seasons with the Buffaloes and had been going through offseason workouts with the team. CU is scheduled to open spring practices Monday.
On Sunday afternoon, CU head coach Deion Sanders posted the following on social media:
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones. Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”
In a press release from CU, athletic director Fernando Lovo said, “The entire CU Athletics family is devastated at the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder. He epitomized the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, toughness, and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike. Our hearts go out to his family and all of his teammates during this difficult time.”
CU Athletics is making counseling resources available to student-athletes and staff.
Brennan Marion, CU’s first-year offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach posted a reply to Sanders’ post, writing, “A joy to be around & coach! gonna be tough but man this one hurts Lord, getting that call today from his dad today didn’t feel real. Love you Dom! God cover his family & our team, especially our qb room!”
Kaidon Salter, who was CU’s starting quarterback this past season, posted, “Love You Dom, You Brought Joy To The Room And Always Kept It Positive #RIP22”
Running backs coach Johnnie Mack wrote, “Lord we never question why, I just ask you to cover the Ponder family, Colorado family and friends as we deal with the loss of this amazing kid. In Jesus name. You will be missed Dom.”
Former CU kicker Alexander Stoyanovich, who spent the past two seasons playing with Ponder, added, “Can’t even process this right now. My heart hurts. Dom always found a way to bring laughter and smiles to everyone around him, and was always a joy to be around. Rest in peace brotha”
Ponder is from Opa Locka, Florida, and graduated in 2022 from Carol City (Florida) High School. He then went to Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina before playing the 2023 season at Bethune-Cookman, appearing in two games.
In 2024, he transferred to CU and joined the team as a walk-on. In two seasons with the Buffaloes, Ponder appeared in two games, both during the 2025 season.
Ponder made his CU debut in a loss to Arizona on Nov. 1, playing the final three snaps and going 0-for-1 on his passes. The next week at West Virginia, he played three snaps on kickoff team.
Lauren Penington of the Denver Post contributed to this report.
