CU Buffs Top 20: No. 5 Steven Montez

Over the next three weeks, BSN Buffs will be breaking down our top 20 Colorado Buffaloes entering the fall of 2017. These rankings were voted on by BSN Buffs editor Jake Shapiro and staff Chase Howell and Sam Weaver.

What happens when the savior arrives at a program that no longer needs saving? We’re going to find out in 2017.

Steven Montez was long pronounced as the savior of Colorado Football but Colorado Football returned to glory before Montez could become the starter. Last season he may have been the most important backup on the legendary ‘Rise’ Buffaloes. He played in 10 games and started three as a redshirt freshman.

The three starts came in relief of the bruising Sefo Liufau who missed some time due to injury. One of the three won’t ever be forgotten.

Against Oregon Montez threw for 333 yards and three touchdowns while running for 135 yards and another score, becoming the first player in Colorado history to throw for over 300 yards and rush for 100 in the same game. The win stated that the rise was indeed real.

Montez fell flat against USC the next week but wrapped the season up with 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns total versus just four interceptions and completed 60.3 percent of his passes (79-of-131) for the year.

With Liufau gone Montez is the man for Colorado.

He has already been honored with the John Wooten Award for outstanding work ethic during this spring and as the starting quarterback, he has already taken a step up in his leadership skills.

Montez is surrounded by weapons all over the field and a solid core of offensive linemen. Despite only being a Sophomore, Montez’s 2017 could end up being one of the best quarterback years in the history of Colorado Football.

His talent is well known; now it’s for him to display it consistently.

When he first signed, everyone thought that he would be the gunslinger to lead Colorado to end bowl drought. Now Montez is looked at as the guy that can take Colorado to the top of their conference. Will it happen in 2017?  The ball is in Montez’s hand now.

View the full list here