University of Colorado quarterback Dominiq Ponder has died following a single-vehicle crash early Sunday morning, the university confirmed.
Ponder, 20, from Opa Locka, transferred to Colorado in 2024 and made his debut for the Buffaloes in 2025.
According to the Colorado State Patrol, Ponder was driving a 2023 Tesla Model 3 westbound on Baseline Road near Newland Court around 3 a.m. when he lost control on a right-hand curve. The vehicle crossed into the eastbound lane, crashed through a guardrail, struck an electrical pole, rolled down an embankment, and caught fire. Ponder was the only occupant and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities said the crash is under investigation, though speed is believed to have been a factor. No other vehicles were involved.
In a post on X, head coach Deion Sanders, known as Coach Prime, confirmed Ponder’s death and asked the community to pray for his family. He wrote: “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.”
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