Colorado midfielder Dominic Ponder has died at the age of 23

Colorado quarterback Dominic Ponder has died at the age of 23, head coach Deion Sanders said Sunday.

There was no immediate news from the university about the circumstances surrounding Ponder’s death.

Ponder, a sophomore from Opa-locka, Fla., has spent the past two seasons with the program after transferring from Bethune-Cookman. He appeared in two games last season, recording two rushes and one pass attempt, after not playing for the Buffaloes in 2024.

“Dom was one of my favorites!” “He was loved, respected, and a natural leader,” Sanders wrote on X. “Let’s pray for everyone who knew him and had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord, you get a good grade.”

Colorado teammate Colton Allen also praised Ponder on Instagram.

“Dom, you have been a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote. “You had a presence that made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I am grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, and every conversation we shared. I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.”

Colorado is scheduled to open spring practice Monday in Boulder.

Ponder played high school football at Carol City and Naples in Florida, and came to Bethune-Cookman from Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.