Saturday, August 15, 2026
Courtesy of CU Athletics
Position
Quarterback
Height
6'5"
Weight
200 lbs
Hometown
Opa Locka, Fla.
High School
Carol City / Bethune Cookman/Georgia Tech
Seasons at CU
Dominiq Ponder spent two seasons with Colorado and was preparing for his third year with the Buffaloes when he died in a car accident on March 1, 2026. He was 23.
Ponder joined Colorado ahead of the 2024 season after previous stops at Bethune-Cookman and Georgia Tech. After redshirting his first year in Boulder, the 6-foot-5 quarterback made his collegiate debut against Arizona in 2025 and appeared again the following week at West Virginia.
A South Florida product, Ponder played at Carol City and Naples high schools before attending Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy. At Naples, he showed dual-threat ability as a sophomore, throwing for 511 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for another 356 yards and three scores.
Ponder was remembered by Colorado coaches and teammates for his energy, work ethic, leadership and willingness to help others. Head coach Deion Sanders described him as a beloved and respected leader within the program.
The Dominiq Ponder 7/22 Foundation
Dominiq’s impact continues through the Dominiq Ponder 7/22 Foundation, a nonprofit created to carry forward the perseverance, generosity and belief in others that defined him.
Built around the motto “Nothing Given. Everything Earned,” the foundation reflects Dominiq’s own journey from walk-on quarterback to respected leader within the Colorado football program. His legacy was about more than earning opportunities for himself; it was about encouraging teammates, mentoring younger players and helping others believe in what was possible for them.
The foundation turns those values into action by providing scholarships and financial assistance to students and families, supporting families facing medical hardships through partnerships with children’s hospitals, and promoting perseverance, responsible decision-making and life skills through educational initiatives.
Its mission is ultimately the same one Dominiq lived: dream big, keep going when the path is difficult and use what you earn to make an impact for someone else.
https://www.dominiqponderfoundation.com/
#DoItForDom
Source: CU Athletics, The Dominiq Ponder 7/22 Foundation
