Former Naples High quarterback Dominiq Ponder, who played for coach Deion Sanders at Coloradodied Sunday March 1st. He was 23 years old.
The news came on the eve of the start of Colorado’s spring practices, which begin Monday, March 2. The Colorado athletic department announced he died in a car accident.
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The Colorado State Patrol confirmed to USA TODAY Sports that a 23-year-old man died in a car crash in Boulder County around 3 a.m. on March 1, but declined to confirm the person’s identity. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
Naples quarterback Dominiq Ponder escapes the grasp of Miami-Monsignor Pace’s Amari Edgehill during the game at Naples High Friday night, September 6, 2019.
“The entire CU Athletics family is devastated by the tragic passing of Dominiq Ponder,” Colorado athletic director Fernando Lovo said in a statement. “He embodied the values of passion, enthusiasm, leadership, tenacity and intelligence that were revered by his teammates and coaches alike. Our thoughts are with his family and all of his teammates during this difficult time.”
What Deion Sanders said about Dominiq Ponder
Ponder was entering his first year at quarterback with Colorado, spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the Buffaloes. Ponder redshirted his freshman season and served as Colorado’s fourth-string quarterback in 2025. He made his debut against Arizona on November 1, 2025, playing three snaps, going 0-for-1 and rushing twice for minus-4 yards.
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“God, please comfort Ponder’s family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders, entering his fourth year as head coach, wrote on
Barron Collier’s Anthony Lykins (15) tackles Naples Dominiq Ponder, with help from teammate Matthew Vickarious (24) on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Staver Field in Naples.
Ponder was at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach and Georgia Tech before transferring to Colorado.
His limited playing time did not diminish Ponder’s impact in the Buffaloes locker room, with several players releasing messages in the wake of Ponder’s death.
Naples High School’s Dominiq Ponder carries the ball against Miami Central during the 6A regional semifinal game Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Staver Field in Naples.
“I 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 make everyone around him laugh and smile, and it was always a joy to be around. Rest in peace brother.”
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Dominiq Ponder’s high school career
Naples High School’s Dominiq Ponder hands off the ball to Elan Sommala during their 6A regional semifinal game against Miami Central on Friday, Nov. 15, 2019, at Staver Field in Naples.
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 losing to Miami Central in the semifinals. He threw for 511 yards with 10 touchdowns, adding 356 rushing yards 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 journalist Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports And @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article was originally published on Naples Daily News: Former Naples QB Dominiq Ponder, playing for Deion Sanders at Colorado, has died
