Colorado adds walk-on quarterback, Lewis still projected as starter

The Colorado Buffaloes added a new quarterback to the roster a week before the start of the 2021 season.

James Mott, who last played two years ago at the University of Chicago, enrolled on Monday and enters the fold for the Buffs as a walk-on. The redshirt freshman comes to Boulder by way of Laguna Beach, California. As a senior, he had a total of 1,923 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning First Team All-CIF honors and the league MVP.

Mott adds depth at the QB position for CU after Tennessee transfer J.T. Shrout went down with a knee injury two weeks ago. He’ll be listed fourth on the depth chart with redshirt freshman Brendon Lewis taking over as the starter.

Lewis and Shrout were in the midst of a neck-and-neck battle to take the No. 1 job. However, Lewis became the guy when Shrout went down. Lewis is now the only QB available with one start under his belt.

For now, Drew Carter will backup Lewis. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound dual threat passer from Tigard, Ore. could see his first game experience for CU sooner rather than later.

Colorado prepares to face Northern Colorado at Folsom Field on Sept. 3 (7 p.m. MT, Pac-12 Network). The season opener marks the coaching debut for former NFL wide receiver Ed McCaffrey, who’ll square off against his one-time position coach Karl Dorrell.