Former Naples QB, Colorado backup Dominiq Ponder dies in car crash

Former Naples High quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who was playing for coach Deion Sanders at Colorado, died Sunday, March 1. He was 23.

The news came on the eve of Colorado commencing spring practices, which start Monday, March 2. The Colorado athletic department announced he died in a car accident.

Colorado State Patrol confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that a 23-year-old male died in a single-car accident in Boulder County at about 3 a.m. on March 1 but declined to confirm the person's identity. The driver was pronounced dead on the scene, according to officials.

"The entire CU Athletics family is devastated at the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder," said Colorado Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo in a release. "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."

What Deion Sanders said about Dominiq Ponder

Ponder was entering his junior year as a walk-on quarterback with Colorado, spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Buffaloes. Ponder redshirted his first season and served as a fourth-string quarterback at Colorado in 2025. He made his debut against Arizona on Nov. 1, 2025, playing three snaps, going 0-for-1 passing and rushing twice for minus-4 yards.

"God please comfort the Ponder family, friends & Loved ones," Sanders, entering his fourth year as head coach, wrote on X. "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."

Ponder was at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach and Georgia Tech before transferring to Colorado.

His limited playing time didn't diminish the impact Ponder had in the Buffaloes' locker room, with multiple players putting out messages in the wake of Ponder's death.

"Can't even process this right now," former Colorado kicker Alexander Stoyanovich posted on his X account. "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.”

Dominiq Ponder's high school career

The 6-foot-5 quarterback spent three seasons with Naples, earning the starting job as a sophomore. Ponder led the Golden Eagles to an undefeated regular season in 2019 before falling to Miami Central in the semifinals. He threw for 511 yards with 10 touchdowns, adding 356 yards rushing and three scores in Bill Kramer's final season as head coach.

He would then transfer to Miami Carol City for his senior season, before enrolling at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in 2022.

Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Former Naples QB Dominiq Ponder, playing for Deion Sanders at Colorado, dies